Day: November 3, 2012

Get set for Christmas with the MS Therapy Centre

With Christmas less than two months away, the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy Centre in Leith is hoping that shoppers will get ahead of the game and visit its first annual Christmas Fayre.

The event, takes place from 10.30am until 12.30pm next Saturday (10 November ) at the Craighall Centre, 210 Ferry Road, Edinburgh and is a chance to pick up some early Christmas stocking-fillers, cards or home baking.

It is estimated that there are approximately 2300 people in The Lothians alone who live with Multiple Sclerosis.The MS Therapy Centre which covers Edinburgh, Fife, the Lothians and Borders provides help and practical therapies such as physiotherapy and oxygen therapy as well as emotional support and advice.

It costs £180,000 per year to run the Centre – most of which comes from donations and events like the Christmas Fayre.

Katharine Jackson, Operational Manager, MS Therapy Centre said: “I am sure that our Christmas Fayre will bring a touch of early Christmas Magic to shoppers.  We are in the process of refreshing our ageing physiotherapy equipment, so this is a vital fundraising event for us.

“In previous years, we have managed to raise around £3000 with a combination of our raffle and coffee mornings and this year, with our Christmas Fayre, we’re hoping to do even better.  We will be holding a raffle with some great prizes and some of our volunteers, members and their families will be baking delicious home-made cakes.  So, it’s a great chance to relax with a coffee, buy some gifts and know that the money raised helps local people who use the MS Therapy Centre.”

Tickets for the Christmas Fayre are £3.00 per person, which includes refreshments and can be bought at the door on the day, or from the MS Therapy Centre, Swanfield, Edinburgh.

South African activist speaks in city tonight

A prominent South African activist is to address a meeting in Edinburgh tonight. Lindela Figlan, vice president of the Shack Dwellers Movement in South Africa, will speak on “Land and Housing in the City”. 

The speaker will describe the struggle of some of the poorest people in South Africa to win access to land and to basic rights such as provision of water, electricity, sanitation, healthcare and refuse removal.

The Shack Dwellers hit the international headlines through their resistance to forced evictions.  When the government has wished to use land occupied by shanty towns for commercial developments the residents in the movement have refused to move, insisting on the right to a home and to land.

Lindela insists: “Land has to be distributed according to social need and not according to who has money. … Every land occupation is a small step towards making this a country for all who live in it and breaking the power of money over land.”

The meeting, at Out of the Blue Arts Centre in Dalmeny Street, starts at 7pm. Admission free.

Minister urges safety first on Bonfire Night

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham has urged communities across Scotland to enjoy a safe Bonfire Night and ease the pressure on emergency services at their busiest time of the year. She encouraged the public to attend organised fireworks displays, allowing families to enjoy a safe spectacle, while reducing demands on frontline fire & rescue resources.

Bonfire Night is also a time which can see a rise in the number of attacks on firefighters.

Ms Cunningham said: “For the majority of people, Bonfire Night is a time to enjoy family fun with a few sparklers or to go to a bonfire party. I would also encourage parents and carers to make sure that they know the whereabouts of their children this weekend and on Bonfire Night, and to attend one of the host of events which I know have been organised across Scotland. I want everyone to enjoy this traditional family celebration safely.

“However, we know from past years that for a mindless minority it is an opportunity to attack or harass those who are there to protect them. We will not tolerate this. It is to be welcomed that attacks on firefighters decreased last year and I hope that this trend continues. Our fire and rescue service do a valuable job and should be able to carry out their duties free from assault or harassment. We support police and prosecutors to use the full force of the law to bring anyone guilty of such offences to justice.”

Figures for 2011-12 recorded 112 incidents where attacks on fire fighters occurred; this was a decrease of 60 incidents (35 per cent) from 2010-11.

Ms Cunningham spoke ahead of a week in which she will attend a meeting of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board in Perth on Monday (5 November) before launching the Scottish Government’s festive fire safety campaign on Thursday (8 November). This will spread the message of the importance of fire safety in the home.

Alasdair Hay, Chief Officer for Scotland’s new national Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“This is the busiest time of the year for firefighters and support staff working in the fire and rescue service. Our staff are committed to the task of keeping communities safe as they celebrate Guy Fawkes night. Our key priorities are public safety and firefighter safety. Please follow our fire safety advice to reduce the likelihood of an accidental injury or fire. Our advice is that attending an organised bonfire and fireworks display is the best way to have fun in a safe environment.

“Remember too that our crews are there to keep you safe and protect communities. Sadly we often see a rise in anti-social behaviour and violence towards crews responding to bonfire calls. This will not be tolerated and we will work closely with our colleagues in the police to report offenders. Talk to your children about the important role firefighters fulfil in local communities and make sure we are not hindered in our ability to respond to emergencies. Have a great, safe November 5th.”