Bakery Founder George Ross Raises £11,931 for Dementia Charity

A bakery founder celebrated his milestone 90th birthday by raising funds for a dementia charity, significantly impacting the cause. George Ross, the founder of JG Ross Bakers, presented a total of £11,931 to Alzheimer Scotland. The funds were generated through a birthday party he hosted for family and friends, where he requested charitable donations instead of gifts.

The birthday celebration alone raised £800. This amount was combined with the proceeds from his autobiographies, titled An Unlikely Lad and We Knead the Dough, which contributed an additional £11,131.82 to the total. Ross’s commitment to charitable causes is well-known, and he has been a staunch supporter of various organizations throughout his life.

From Bakery Manager to Philanthropist

Born in Daviot, Ross initially worked as a bakery manager in Braemar before founding JG Ross Bakers in 1962 in the village of Auchleven. Eleven years later, he relocated the business to Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie. Under his leadership, the bakery evolved from a small local shop into one of Scotland’s most recognized family businesses, producing an impressive 190,000 butteries each week.

Ross officially retired in 2007, coinciding with the opening of a new £4.2 million craft bakery at Highclere in Inverurie. His entrepreneurial journey, marked by dedication and hard work, has left a lasting legacy in the community.

Raising Awareness for Dementia

Reflecting on his birthday initiative, Ross expressed the personal significance behind his fundraising efforts. “So many people are affected by dementia, including friends and colleagues of mine, and I’ve seen what a huge impact this condition can have on entire families,” he stated. He emphasized the growing prevalence of dementia as life expectancy increases, underscoring the urgent need for support and research.

Ross added, “As I’ve reached a big milestone in my life, I thought this would be an ideal time to support the vital work of Alzheimer Scotland. They help so many families living with dementia right across Scotland, and also invest in research to help find new treatments and potential cures to fight this devastating disease.”

Kirsty Stewart, the director of fundraising and operations at Alzheimer Scotland, expressed gratitude for Ross’s generous donation. “Every pound raised helps Alzheimer Scotland continue to support our vital network of dementia advisors, resource centres, and our 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000),” she said.

George Ross’s commitment to philanthropy and community service resonates deeply, showcasing how individual milestones can lead to significant impacts on collective causes. His birthday celebration not only marked a personal achievement but also contributed meaningfully to the fight against dementia, inspiring others to consider the roles they can play in supporting such vital causes.