Tag: charity

The cost of feeding the world’s poorest children has soared by 20%

Mary’s Meals feeds 2,429,182 hungry children every school day 

Mary’s Meals has warned that the cost of feeding children in the world’s poorest countries has risen by an unprecedented 20% – and that it faces significant challenges in delivering its international school feeding programme in 2023.   

The charity, which was founded in a shed in Argyll, serves nutritious school meals in 18 countries, including Malawi, Yemen and Haiti. The promise of food attracts hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. 

Increases in prices for commodities – such as grain, fuel and fertiliser – mean the cost to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year has increased from £15.90 to £19.15. This is the largest increase in the charity’s 20-year history. 

Daniel Adams, executive director of Mary’s Meals, says: “An uncertain year lies ahead, with the escalating cost of living causing much pain for both the children around the world who eat our school meals and those here in Scotland who make our work possible.  

“Simply put, our income is not growing at the same rate as the cost of feeding children.” 

Mary’s Meals feeds 2,429,182 children every school day. Alongside the cost of living crisis, many of the countries where the charity works are impacted by conflict, climate change and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which are increasing levels of hunger and poverty.  

Daniel adds: “There has never been a better – or more urgent – time to support our work. Until 31 January 2023, donations to Mary’s Meals will be matched by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.5 million. This means that any donation, no matter the size, will have twice the impact and help even more desperately hungry children. 

“The relentless kindness and generosity of people here in Scotland have helped us to grow from feeding just 200 children in Malawi in 2002 to more than 2.4 million children around the world today. It is because of these people that we approach the many challenges we face in 2023 with a deep sense of hope.” 

Until 31 January 2023, donations to Mary’s Meals are being doubled by a generous group of supporters – up to £1.5 million. To find out more about the Double The Love campaign, visit marysmeals.org.uk   

PDSA appeals to the pet-loving public to donate unwanted Christmas gifts

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is appealing for animal lovers to support its vital veterinary work by donating unwanted Christmas gifts to its charity shops.

PDSA’s shops play a pivotal role in helping to fund its 48 Pet Hospitals which provide a lifeline to owners who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary treatment if their pet unexpectedly becomes ill or gets injured.

With inflation at a 40-year high and millions of households already facing extreme financial hardship, demand for PDSA’s services is expected to rise, meaning donations to its shops are more important than ever.

In 2021, PDSA treated over 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals – ultimately keeping furry family members united with their owners. As day-to-day prices continue to soar and households are hit by increased financial pressures, the charity expects demand for its services to grow.

The 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, conducted in March, found that nearly a third of pet owners surveyed are worried about affording veterinary costs – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet require treatment.

The results follow shocking statistics from the 2021 PAW Report which revealed a staggering 930,000 pets were at risk of being put to sleep if their owners were hit with unexpected vet bills.

PDSA Head of Retail and Buying Lloyd Hughes said: “PDSA receives no government funding and relies solely on public support to fund our vital work. Without the money raised in our shops and donations given to us by kind-hearted members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to fund the life-saving treatment we provide in our 48 Pet Hospitals.

“By donating unwanted Christmas gifts, that may otherwise sit in a cupboard or even be thrown away, to our charity shops, people can make a real difference to the lives of pets and their owners, keeping families together.”

No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

PDSA encourages all supporters to sign up for Gift Aid* if they are a UK tax payer, to help their donations go even further. Gift Aid allows PDSA to claim an additional 25 per cent of the value of each item sold.

To find out more visit PDSA’s charity shops page.

Get baking with Aled Jones and Mary’s Meals this Christmas

Spread ho-ho-hope with Aled Jones’ recipe for Gingerbread Snowpeople 

School feeding charity Mary’s Meals and classical singer Aled Jones have teamed up for a Christmas baking challenge. 

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in 20 of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of food attracts hungry children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for the future.  

Singer and presenter Aled, who shot to fame at the age of 14 with his version of Christmas classic Walking In The Air, has donated his recipe for Gingerbread Snowpeople to the charity’s fundraising campaign, Raise Some Dough, in a nod to the song’s association with the animated film, The Snowman. 

Aled says: “This Christmas, I’m hoping people will have fun baking my favourite biscuit recipe while helping to spread festive joy and hope to some of the world’s poorest children who depend on Mary’s Meals.  

“Now has never been a better time to dig out your rolling pin and get baking to raise money for the charity’s Raise Some Dough campaign, especially when donations will go further this winter towards transforming the lives of hungry children by giving them hope of a better future.” 

Aled is just one of the famous faces supporting Mary’s Meals this winter. Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor, Great British Bake Off winner Giuseppe Dell’Anno and actors Joanna Lumley and Tamzin Outhwaite have all shared their favourite biscuit recipes in the charity’s free fundraising pack – which includes a mug-shaped cookie cutter. It is available online from marysmeals.org.uk/raise. 

Donations made to Mary’s Meals until 31 January 2023 will be doubled by a generous group of supporters, up to £1.5 million, with the charity’s Double The Love campaign. There is no better way to spread ho-ho-hope this Christmas! 

For further information on Mary’s Meals, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk 

Aled’s Recipe for Gingerbread Snowpeople

You’ll need:

  • 350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 125g/4½oz butter
  • 175g/6oz light soft brown sugar
  • 1 free-range egg
  • 4 tbsp golden syrup

To decorate the Snowpeople:

  • writing icing (optional)
  • cake decorations (optional)

Method:

  1. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into the bowl of a food processor.
  2. Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. 
  3. Stir in the sugar. 
  4. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 180° C/160°C Fan/Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper. 
  6. Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cutters, cut out the gingerbread people shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them. 
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown.
  8. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
  9. When cooled decorate with the writing icing and cake decorations, if using.
  10. Finally… make a pot of tea or coffee or pour a glass of your favourite tipple and sit back and enjoy!

It’s Freezing: Charity warns public to watch out for signs of Raynaud’s

With Christmas right around the corner and freezing temperatures across Scotland, the charity Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is urging people to look out for signs of Raynaud’s – a painful condition that affects blood circulation and is triggered by the cold. 

SRUK says many in the UK are “woefully unaware” of Raynaud’s, despite around one in six people living with the condition. According to the charity, more than one in two UK adults don’t know any of the signs and symptoms with millions likely to dismiss symptoms rather than visit their GP. 

The charity is also concerned that high energy prices are preventing many from properly heating their homes, meaning those in Scotland who are living with Raynaud’s are likely to spend Christmas suffering in silence. According to SRUK, keeping warm is ‘crucial’ for living well with the condition, but a recent survey by the charity found that nine in 10 Scottish people with Raynaud’s (90 percent) reported being worried about the cost of their energy, with many choosing to limit their heating or keep it off altogether. 

Recognising the signs of Raynaud’s 

For someone with Raynaud’s, cold temperatures and stress can cause painful flare-ups, also called Raynaud’s attacks. This is when the blood temporarily stops flowing to parts of the body, most commonly the hands and feet.  

When this happens, the skin can change colour to white, then blue and finally to red as the blood starts to return. The condition can also be extremely painful, preventing many from carrying out everyday tasks like handling bank cards and house keys, unbuttoning a coat and even driving. 

Sue Farrington, SRUK Chief Executive, said: “Winter is well and truly upon us and we know that people with Raynaud’s can find this time of year extremely difficult. We all get cold hands and feet when the temperature drops, but for those affected by Raynaud’s the impact can be seriously debilitating, so it’s important not dismiss it and seek advice and support.”  

Signs of Raynaud’s include: 

  • Colour changes to the skin in areas such as the hands or feet, often in response to cold conditions
  • Cold and numbness in the affected areas, such as the fingers and toes
  • Tingling or pain, especially as the circulation returns to the affected areas. 

For around 300,000 people with Raynaud’s, the condition can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as the autoimmune diseases lupus and scleroderma, which is why SRUK is urging people in Scotland to visit their GP if they think they may have Raynaud’s. 

The charity also has an online test people can take to check if they may have the condition. This is available at www.sruk.co.uk/testme  

A warning to stay warm this winter 

SRUK is also warning that many people with Raynaud’s could be jeopardising their health by cutting back on their heating this year. 

From a survey of more than 1,600 people with Raynaud’s, the charity found that in Scotland specifically:  

  • More than four in five respondents (86 percent) said they rely on their heating to prevent painful Raynaud’s attacks 
  • More than eight in 10 people surveyed (83 percent) said they had experienced a Raynaud’s attack as a result of choosing not to put their heating on. Of these, one in three (33 percent) believe it could happen again  
  • More than four in 10 respondents (42 percent) are trying to find other ways to stay warm, such as wearing thick jumpers and gloves 
  • Of those surveyed, the number of people in Scotland paying between £200 and £300 each month for their energy more than doubled between October 2021 and October 2022 (from 16 to 37 percent). Meanwhile, those paying less than £200 almost halved during the same period (from 59 to 32 percent). 

Farrington said: “We know that high inflation and the cost of living are making things difficult for lots of people right now but keeping warm is the key to living well with Raynaud’s. 

“We understand that not everyone will be able to afford to keep their homes heated at a consistent temperature, so you can also stay warm by wearing lots of thin layers, thermal socks and gloves, and using heated slippers and blankets. We would hate for anyone to suffer in silence this winter.” 

The charity has written to the UK government calling for more support to keep heating affordable for people with Raynaud’s this winter and beyond. Read the full letter at www.sruk.co.uk/about-us/news/raynauds-energy-campaign 

SRUK also has a factsheet available, which is packed with tips to help people keep warm this winter. This is available from the SRUK website at www.sruk.co.uk  

Letters: Charity makes sure no child faces hospital alone this Christmas

Dear Editor,

Christmas is a time when many of us look forward to being with our loved ones, making lifelong memories while getting into the festive spirit of caring for each other.

For the majority of us the festive period will be full of joy and an occasion to look forward to. However, for families whose children will be seriously ill in hospital, this Christmas will be a time full of worry. Hospital can be a lonely and scary place for anyone, but especially a child. We want to make sure no child faces hospital alone and like all charities we are in desperate need of support to do this.

Without a place to stay close to the hospital our families will have to travel, on average, 90 minutes to be with their seriously ill child. The alternative is paying out for expensive hotels, sleeping on a chair in the hospital or even sleeping in their cars. Neither are viable options, worsened further by the current cost of living crisis. These extra expenses are another burden that families shouldn’t have to shoulder at a time when all they want is to be with their child.

Our ‘Homes from Home’ are free for families who need them and it currently costs us approximately £40 to support one family for one night, but this cost is rapidly rising.

By donating £40 to our appeal your readers will give families all the precious gifts of Christmas; care, wellbeing, warmth, rest and most precious of all, time together in our ‘Homes from Home’.

Our ten ‘Homes from Home’ are located at specialist children’s hospitals and support families from across the UK. They are completely free of charge to all the families that stay with us, but as a charity we rely on the generosity of our supporters to make sure every child can be with their family this Christmas.

We want to make sure that no child faces hospital alone and that all families can be together this Christmas, making special festive memories rather than travelling in their car or sleeping in uncomfortable waiting room chairs.

Every £40 donated will give another family the precious gift of togetherness, ensuring that they can always be just minutes away from their ill child’s hospital bedside.

Donate £40 today by visiting sickchildrenstrust.org


Jane Featherstone,

Chief Executive at The Sick Children’s Trust

Family Fund open for applications

As the cost of living crisis deepens, families in Scotland raising disabled, or seriously ill children, on low incomes have the chance to secure critical support from a national charity.

Family Fund, the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families with disabled and seriously ill children, provides essential items for families including kitchen appliances, clothing, bedding, play and sensory equipment and family breaks.

Last year, it delivered over 170,919 grants and services, worth over £37 million, to families on low incomes across the UK.  

Thanks to ongoing funding from the Scottish Government, the charity can continue to support families across Scotland.

With winter approaching this is timely help, as a recent Cost of caring report by Family Fund shows that nine in 10 families are struggling, or falling behind with their regular household bills and many are forced to forego living essentials such as food, heating, basic furniture like beds, flooring, washing machines and fridges, to try to make ends meet.

In the latest poll of UK families in September, almost 60% reported an average increase in household bills of £124 a month. On top of this their average monthly food bill has gone up by £189 over the year.

Cheryl Ward, Chief Executive of Family Fund, said: “We urge eligible families in Scotland to come forward with an application to secure help through these difficult winter months.

“Our research shows it costs three times as much to bring up a disabled child as other children, with many families unable to increase their income due to round-the-clock caring responsibilities.

“As prices continue to rise and winter approaches, many families tell us they are gravely worried about how they will survive the coming months.

“Family Fund is here for support now so please come forward to apply.”

Reece’s story:

Six-year-old Reece has autism and lives in Glasgow, with his mother, Olivia, and older brother, Justice, 20.

Olivia explains: “When Reece was younger, he had speech and developmental delay and was diagnosed as autistic at the age of three. Now that Reece is six years old, he’s still behind in his development. Reece can repeat what others say and he does understand what people mean but he can’t speak his own words yet. Additionally, he is still behind with his toileting as he continues to wear nappies.

“Reece attends a specialist school. They’re helping him a lot to better his understanding and to engage more. Generally, Reece enjoys school except when it’s noisy. He has sensory issues so he dislikes certain loud sounds.

“Reece finds it frustrating that we currently live in a flat without a garden. The lack of space is hindering his development since he loves the outdoors. He really enjoys jumping and swinging. When we’re outside he likes collecting sticks. Reece also likes to spin a lot and even though he can’t speak, he still makes sounds from his mouth, so people often stare but I try to explain his condition to people as much as I can.

“At the moment, I receive two days of respite care which I use to study for my degree.

“The cost of living crisis has greatly impacted the cost of my bills. We haven’t been able to afford other things as much as we used to. I can barely buy a full basket of food nowadays so I have to improvise my cooking. Sometimes I have to leave myself out of the meal and just eat snacks so that my children can eat.”

How Family Fund has helped

Olivia said: “Family Fund is very helpful, especially to families on a low income. Without the grants we wouldn’t be able to afford things so important to a child’s development.

“We received a sensory grant which we used to buy a colour changing bubble machine which Reece loves. It helps to calm him down.

“We also received a fridge freezer grant. Our old fridge was broken and too small. The grant from Family Fund allowed us to buy a newer, and bigger, fridge which was better for our family. Without the grant we would have had to wait a long time to get a new one.

“The most recent grant we received was a Haven family break grant [that] gave us a chance to get away on holiday to the seaside which Reece loves a lot. The Haven site has a lot of activities to do all under one roof. The break gave us peace of mind and it was beautiful to see Reece happy and calm. He was so content with everything around him.”

Eligible families in Scotland are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by visiting Grants: Scotland | Family Fund or calling 01904 550055

Charity launches Christmas campaign in memory of those lost to sepsis

Scotland-based charity Sepsis Research FEAT has launched a new Christmas campaign featuring the stories of families impacted by sepsis in order to help raise awareness of the deadly condition.

Sepsis takes the lives of approximately five people every hour in the UK. It occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals rapidly out of control, injuring its own tissues and organs which can result in multiple organ failure and death.

Sepsis Research FEAT’s new campaign pays tribute to the many lives that have been lost to sepsis. It includes a Christmas video featuring singer Natalie Rushdie, who herself had sepsis in 2021.

In the video she performs Auld Lang Syne alongside images of people aged between 9.5 months to 92 years whose lives were tragically taken by sepsis. The Christmas campaign also features stories being shared by supporters from across the UK who were fortunate to have survived sepsis, some of whom have faced long-term and life-changing effects. 

The charity is highlighting the devastating impact sepsis can have on individuals and families so that more people will become aware of the symptoms and why it is vital to seek urgent medical attention if you spot them in yourself or a loved one.

As the UK’s only charity dedicated to funding research into sepsis while working to raise awareness, Sepsis Research FEAT works tirelessly to increase everyone’s knowledge about the condition. If people are able to recognise the symptoms of sepsis, they can act fast and seek medical help which improves their chances of recovery. 

The 5 key symptoms of sepsis everyone should know are:

  • Confusion 
  • Not passing as much urine as normal
  • Very high or low temperature 
  • Uncontrolled shivering
  • Cold or blotchy arms and legs 

Sepsis can be hard to recognise and diagnose because, in its early stages, it can have similar symptoms to common winter conditions like the flu and chest infections. However, if someone has any of the key symptoms becoming noticeably worse, this could indicate sepsis and urgent medical attention should be sought.

It can also be hard for people with sepsis to spot the signs in themselves as their health may deteriorate rapidly and they could become confused. Sepsis Research FEAT is urging people to look out for others this Christmas and seek medical attention on their behalf.

Colin Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, said: “Christmas is a time for celebration but it is also a time to remember those we have lost and to consider how things could be so different. Too many lives are tragically taken by sepsis every year.

“We want our Christmas campaign to pay tribute to those people and also their families who are living with the devastating impact of sepsis. Our charity and supporters fight on in their name by continuing to raise awareness and fund vital research. We are incredibly grateful to those supporters who are sharing their stories this Christmas to help others learn about sepsis and how to spot it.

“Sepsis is an indiscriminate, deadly condition that can kill a previously healthy adult or child in a matter of hours. It is vital that everyone knows the symptoms so they can seek medical treatment in time. Cases of sepsis could be mistaken for the flu because the early symptoms are sometimes similar, particularly around Christmas time and the winter months when flu is more common.

“The difference is that these symptoms worsen rapidly when sepsis is the cause. The most important thing is to react fast and seek medical attention because this can improve chances of survival.

“Please support our campaign this Christmas to help spread the word about sepsis and how to recognise the symptoms. If you have personal experience of the condition then please consider sharing your story online using #StopSepsisNow. You can also take part in fundraising to support us to continue our work raising awareness of sepsis and funding ground-breaking research to help save lives.”

For more information about Sepsis Research FEAT and the charity’s Christmas campaign, visit https://sepsisresearch.org.uk

Festive campaign brings joy and hope to secondary breast cancer patients

Secondary breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count is unwrapping a bumper festive bundle of activities to get its Christmas campaign off to a sparkling start.

Sadly, while others enjoy the season of goodwill, it can be a very lonely time for patients, individuals and families coping with the impacts of secondary breast cancer. A recent YouGov poll revealed that 60% of those impacted by a diagnosis find the festive period especially difficult and isolating.

But the charity is bringing the Christmas spirit to patients and their loved ones with a package of initiatives to show support for people living with this incurable form of the disease which claims the lives of 1,000 women a month in the UK.

Make 2nds Count aims to raise £15,000 through the sale of Tree of Hope baubles, plus further funds from specially commissioned Christmas cards and charity partnerships with Dalkeith Country Park’s festive Spectacle of Light and McLarens on the Corner in Edinburgh.

The Make 2nds Count Tree of Hope initiative gives people the chance to donate by buying a Christmas bauble which is not only a beautiful decoration for the tree but a poignant tribute to a current patient or lost loved one.

Supporters donating to the Tree of Hope pay £25 for a bauble, featuring the name of the person they are honouring, in return for a virtual bauble with a personalised message on the Make 2nds Count website and delivery of their personalised bauble keepsake in January.

There are also standard Make 2nds Count baubles available for £15 that the charity hopes to see in homes across the UK this year, the third year of the Tree of Hope initiative.

Dalkeith Country Park will showcase its own Tree of Hope as part of its Spectacle of Light event where visitors can add a ribbon to commemorate a loved one, and all donations will come to the charity. They are also providing collection tins for any spare change, at till points in its Fort Douglas and Restoration Yard’s store and eateries, and signage around the park with a QR code.

The limited-edition Christmas cards, designed by Make 2nds Count supporter Nikki Hughes, are available through the charity in packs of eight for a minimum donation of £6. In addition, there is the opportunity to donate online for a virtual card.

McLarens are once again supporting Make 2nds Count this Christmas by hosting a Tree of Hope and by adding a £1 discretionary charge on every Christmas booking and they will match the total at the end of the festive season.

Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count says: “Christmas is a magical time but we know that it can be quite a challenging period for secondary breast cancer patients and their families.

“However, the fantastic response we always get from the public to our festive campaign gives us all a real boost. We’re confident this year people will be as generous as they can afford to be and every donation, no matter how modest, helps tremendously as we support people not only at Christmas but throughout the year.”

Make 2nds Count supports secondary breast cancer patients and their families and campaigns to raise awareness of, and fund research into the disease –  also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer – a form of cancer which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer.

To find out more about how to support the charity’s Christmas campaign visit:  

https://www.make2ndscount.co.uk/get-involved/christmas/

40% of Scotland residents more likely to call on help from a charity due to the cost-of-living crisis

  • Research from the Movement for Good Awards has found that 40% of people are more likely to depend on help from a charity than ever before
  • While 37% say they are likely to reduce or stop the amount they donate due to the current climate
  • 34% of residents are choosing to volunteer their time rather than help financially
  • Of those still intending to give, 66% want to support local charities now more than ever

Charities will be under increased strain this winter as a new poll of 67,000 people shows two in five UK residents are more likely to depend on charities during the cost-of living crisis.

Over a third of residents in Scotland (40%) that took part in the research (5,057) have admitted they are more likely than ever before to have to call on help from a charity. While in contrast 37% said they are likely to reduce the amount they donate to charity due to the increasing costs they’re facing on their energy bills.

While people may be planning to give less money, 34% of residents have said they’re more likely to volunteer their time instead. Two thirds (66%) are more likely to support a local charity rather than a national or international one with 53% of residents choosing frontline charities supporting those most in need due to the cost-of-living crisis.

The findings come as the UK’s largest network of food banks, The Trussell Trust, announced it had distributed a record number of food parcels between April and September this year, with one in five individuals referred to The Trussell Trust now coming from working households.

With charities facing increased pressure, Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is giving away £120,000 as part of its annual 12 Days of Giving Christmas campaign.

Residents are encouraged to nominate a charity online at 

www.movementforgood.com using the online form.

The first draw takes place on December 1st and the last on December 16th with 10 charities drawn every day. Nominations are open until Thursday 15th December.

Winners are drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “It’s perhaps no surprise that people intend to cut back on their charitable giving at this time, and it is clear is that charities need help more than ever.

“Our annual £1 million Movement for Good Awards have helped thousands of charities across the UK and we’re asking people to take a few minutes of their time to nominate a cause they especially care about.

“Out of some five million companies in the UK, Benefact Group is the fourth largest corporate donor* and has an ambition to be the biggest. As a Group of financial service businesses, uniquely owned by a charity, all available profits go to good causes, and the more our loyal customers support us to grow, the more the Group can give.

“As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and, together, we can help many good causes to continue their love and support for those who need it most in these difficult times.”

This year in June, 250 £1,000 awards were donated. A further 250 £1,000 awards were awarded in September followed by £500,000 of larger grants in October.

A special draw was recently launched to coincide with COP27, giving five environmental charities £5,000 each – a further £25,000 in funding.

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

Walkers raise over £100k for charity in new Edinburgh endurance event

A new charity endurance walk over some of Scotland’s most beautiful peaks raised over £100,000 in its inaugural year.

The Pentland Peaks Challenge, sponsored by Artemis Investment Management, took place in the glorious Pentland Hills near Edinburgh in late September.

The 179 walkers, including 84 staff from Artemis, chose from three routes. These ranged in difficulty from a ‘Bronze Challenge’, at eight miles and covering three peaks, to a ‘Gold Challenge’ that covered 27 miles and required walkers to scale seven peaks. The participants were supported by 25 volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.

All the funds raised went to two charities. SANE is a national mental health charity that raises awareness, fights to improve services and provides emotional support. Mary’s Meals, based in Scotland, operates globally to provide school meals to more than 2.2 million children daily, giving them the energy to learn.

Derek Stuart, Chair of the Artemis Charitable Foundation, said: “I am incredibly proud that over 200 people took part in this new event. To generate over £100,000 for two amazing charities is a real achievement.

“Each year, our staff raise money and Artemis gives a proportion of its profits to the Artemis Charitable Foundation. Established in 2007, it manages our charitable activities and involvement in the wider world. Our staff and the trustees choose which charities will benefit with a particular focus on ones where the Artemis contribution can make a significant impact.

“The foundation supports ‘core’ charities in the UK and internationally in the areas of health, poverty, education and the environment, and also makes donations to global disasters and emergencies when they occur. In 2021 the foundation donated over £900,000 and the total amount donated since 2007 is £12.8 million.”

The next Artemis Pentland Peaks Challenge is due to take place on Saturday 2nd September 2023.

For further information on how to take part or donate, please visit:

https://pentlandpeaks.com/