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£1.8m raised at Distiller’s One of One auction for youth employability

The second Distillers One of One Auction took place last week, raising £2.25m from rare and remarkable Scotch Whisky. Hammer proceeds of £1.8 million from the auction will primarily benefit the Youth Action Fund, which aims to transform the lives of young people in Scotland aged between 16 and 25, in Scotland who are facing significant barriers to reach their potential, and empower them to create positive change in their lives and their communities.

The Youth Action Fund was established by The Distillers’ Charity, with the support of Inspiring Scotland, as a vehicle to distribute funds from the One of One Auctions –which has assembled a panel of complementary charity partners, each providing expertise and experience in achieving sustainable employability outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Jonathan Driver from The Distillers One of One, added: “We’re overwhelmed to see that our second One of One Auction has been another resounding success, galvanizing whisky brands old and new, all in the name of philanthropy. To have raised such an exceptional sum for Scotland’s disadvantaged youth this year is very special to us, and we cannot wait to hear about further inspiring stories on how these funds will be used in practice.

“We’re also delighted to announce that the next One of One Auction will be back in 2025, continuing the momentum of creativity, philanthropy and celebration that we’ve built. We look forward to welcoming back our partners, including auctioneers Sotheby’s, and we’re proud to make a long-term commitment to funding and securing a future for young people in Scotland that benefit from the funds raised. The Distillers’ Charity would like to thank all who donated to, and bid on, the One of One Auction 2023, and we look forward to seeing them again in 2025.”

Louise Stevenson, fund manager of the Youth Action Fund at Inspiring Scotland said, “Since the first auction, the Youth Action Fund has helped almost 1400 young people who were isolated and dis-engaged. Not only are a large number of these young people getting into either further education or employment but they are more resilient, confident, motivated and they are achieving. They are fulfilling their potential.

“We are delighted by the amount raised at the One of One Auction, meaning we can continue this work. We have built a strong foundation based on the experience that we have gained so far and are ambitious for what can be achieved with the proceeds from this second auction to change the lives of even more young people across Scotland during 2024 and 2025.

“The value of the long-term funding that Distillers One of One Auction delivers cannot be overstated. The generosity of industry donors and the auction buyers is the key to the fund’s success. Every time the hammer fell on the exceptional lots, the more lives changed.”

Read more about the Youth Action fund here.