Music to their ears: STV Appeal cash for Comas’ Childhood Counts

Community project Comas has received £48,031 from the STV Children’s Appeal, boosting support for the anti-poverty initiative.

STV employees visited the Edinburgh project last week to present the cheque and meet with volunteers and some of the children who will benefit from the funding. They also delivered sport and musical equipment donated by STV staff, including guitars, a keyboard, football boots and helmets.

Comas is a community development agency which supports people in the Dumbiedykes who are affected by poverty. The grant from STV Children’s Appeal will help the charity deliver its 20 More Childhood Counts project, a ‘pass it on’ scheme for sport and music equipment to allow children the social opportunities that poverty often prohibits, such as hobbies, sports or playing an instrument.

Magda Loszewska, project worker at Comas, said: “Childhood is a time when we explore our talents and interests – these become a resource for a happy healthy life. But being able to afford specialised equipment and lessons is beyond many families who obviously have to prioritise household essentials. This project will break down those barriers.”

Since launching in 2011, the STV Children’s Appeal has raised over £13.7 million, with 722 big and small grants distributed to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 62,000 children. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes; create opportunities for training and employability; and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most. 

Rob Woodward, STV CEO and trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “The STV Children’s Appeal was established to help improve the quality of life of vulnerable children and young people across Scotland. We are extremely grateful to everyone that has fundraised and donated to this year’s STV Children’s Appeal. All proceeds remain in Scotland which means we can support vital projects such as 20 More Childhood Counts in our efforts to improve the lives of children across the community. A special thanks to everyone for their ongoing support and acts of generosity for such an important cause.”

Sir Tom Hunter, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “It’s charities like Comas that can make the world of a difference to those young people most in need. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone who raised money for the STV Children’s Appeal and can again confirm to every last one of you that every pound you gave is being invested in charities like Comas to the benefit of Scotland’s young people. You raise a pound we give a pound, simple.”

Sir Ian Wood, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “It remains deeply concerning that child poverty continues to impact so many lives across our country with over 200,000 children and young people in Scotland now affected.  As a consequence the work carried out by the STV Children’s Appeal in providing support, help and opportunities for those who most need it has become even more significant.  Such a divide between the have and have-nots on our own doorstep is totally unacceptable.  However I am always heartened by the support and generosity of the people across Scotland who enable The STV Children’s Appeal to carry out such vital work.  We all must play our part, no matter how large or small, in reducing these shocking statistics.”

Lorraine Kelly, presenter and STV Children’s Appeal trustee, has announced the STV Children’s Appeal 2016 has raised £2,568,369 for children and young people living in poverty in Scotland, with an exciting line-up of fundraising activities planned for 2017.

If you’re an individual or group that would like to help raise funds for children and young people living in poverty in Scotland with the STV Children’s Appeal, please get in touch with Natalie Wright at natalie.wright@stv.tv.