ORKNEY Builders has been named as the largest sponsor of the 2025 Orkney Island Games.
The week-long event, taking place in July next year, will welcome over 2,000 competitors and officials from 24 islands competing in 12 sports. Marking a milestone 40th year since the games first began, it will be the largest multi-sport event taking place in Europe in 2025.
Stephen Kemp, MD of Orkney Builders and a director of Orkney Distilling, is working closely with organisers to help make the event a huge success. As a key sponsor, Orkney Builders will provide support to help bring the games to life, including setting up road barriers and dormitories for visiting competitors. The firm has also pledged a cash sum to help cover some of the costs associated with putting on such a large-scale event.
Stephen has a personal interest in the games, as he proudly supports his long-distance runner wife Aly Kemp, who took home the bronze medal in the 10,000m race at the Guernsey Island Games last year.
Stephen has signed up as a volunteer for the games, and is encouraging his workforce of around 85 staff across his business to do the same. He said, “Alongside our employees who will be taking part in the competition itself, we are keen to get as many of the team involved as possible and are encouraging them to sign up as volunteers. As a construction company, we have a lot of skilled resource available such as people with excellent organisation and coordination capabilities, so their support could make a huge difference to the games.
“I went along to the Guernsey Games as a family to support Aly who was there to compete, and it was incredible to see first-hand the huge force of local volunteers coming together to support the event. There was always someone there to help meet the needs of visitors and athletes from across the various island groups, and I would love to see that same energy being delivered here in Orkney.”
Orkney 2025 Games chair, Gordon Deans, added, “It is great to see local businesses such as Orkney Builders actively encouraging their employees to sign up as volunteers for the event, we really need as many Orcadians as possible to get involved and help make the event a huge success.”
The 20th Island games is principally funded by Orkney Islands Council and EventScotland, supported by existing sponsors including West of Orkney Windfarm, Sheila Fleet, and Nirvana Europe, alongside Orkney Builders, offering varying means of monetary and in-kind support.
