Month: August 2019

UK aid to help hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans on the brink of starvation

• Zimbabwe is facing a chronic food crisis and without support more than 5.5 million people will not have access to the food they need by 2020

• International Development Secretary Alok Sharma announces UK aid support to help malnourished children, families and communities following a UN appeal

• He also urges Government of Zimbabwe to act on its promise to deliver fundamental political and economic reforms

Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans will receive life-saving access to food and water thanks to UK aid as the country faces a potentially catastrophic famine.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma yesterday announced £49 million of UK aid. This will be given to trusted partners to help malnourished children, families and communities following a UN Zimbabwe appeal.

He also urged the Zimbabwean Government to act on its promise to deliver fundamental political and economic reforms.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma (above) said: “The Government of Zimbabwe must do more to deliver the promised fundamental political and economic reforms and take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis affecting its people.

“The UK stands with the people of Zimbabwe at a time when millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Through trusted partners we will continue to give families access to food and clean water, and support children to gain a decent education.”

Zimbabwe is facing a chronic food crisis as crops have been devastated by the effects of drought, economic crisis and a powerful cyclone. Without support, more than 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe will not have access to the food they need by 2020.

The food crisis is closely linked to the economic challenges in Zimbabwe which has led to high unemployment and high inflation.

Having already experienced outbreaks of cholera following the devastation of Cyclone Idai earlier this year, water shortages are also leaving the country more susceptible to further outbreaks as people struggle to find clean sources of drinking water.

Police Advice: Summer Sessions in Princes Street Gardens

SUMMER SESSIONS PRINCES STREET GARDENS

Are you heading to one of the concerts in Edinburgh?

Check out the site map attached and please read the advice from the event organisers ahead of the gig:

  • Plan ahead your travel using
  • There are two entrances to the site so please use both (the box office is located at the East Entrance and you should use this if you need to collect a ticket)
  • There will be security on entry so please expect searches and queues on entry
  • Bag searches will be in place – please don’t bring a bag larger than A3 as it won’t be permitted
  • Be prepared for all weather conditions as the weather is very unpredictable – umbrellas are not permitted
  • If you feel unwell, please seek help immediately from a member of festival staff or a steward

For full event info visit the Summer Sessions website – http://ow.ly/n6iM50vpkYC

Show Kiltwalk some love!

Love Island star Anton Danyluk has called on fellow Scots to sign up to this year’s last two remaining Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events.

Airdrie-born Anton, who shot to fame on the popular ITV2 show, has “got a text” for the nation via video message, urging people to participate in the events in Dundee and Edinburgh.

He also congratulated the Kiltwalk for becoming the fifth biggest mass-participation charity event in the UK, climbing an incredible nine places from last year.

Anton said: “I would just like to congratulate Kiltwalk in all their successes. As a fellow Scot, it’s amazing to see.”

Kiltwalk has already seen more than 16,000 walkers participate in the Glasgow and Aberdeen events earlier this year, raising £4.5 million for charities across the country, including the 40% boost from The Hunter Foundation.

Anton continued: “I just want to encourage you guys to get involved. Get your kilt on, sign up to one of the events and raise money for a charity that means a lot to you.”

Last year, 20,082 walkers helped to raise £3.6 million for 1,156 charities across Scotland. Thanks to backing from Sir Tom Hunter, a 40% top-up by The Hunter Foundation brought the impressive total to more than £5 million.

Kiltwalk Chief Executive Paul Cooney said: “It’s brilliant to have another high-profile Scot showing support for our event. We’re thrilled to have Anton’s backing for this year’s Kiltwalks, and I’d like to say a huge thank you for his amazing support.

“To the people of Dundee and Edinburgh, we want you to “crack on” with the last two remaining Kiltwalks to be bigger than ever before, raising those all-important funds for Scotland’s amazing charities. Like Anton said, grab your kilt and get walking!”

Registration for the Dundee and Edinburgh events are open. Events will take place on:

  • 18 August in Dundee
  • 15 September in Edinburgh

For more information about the Kiltwalk, or to register, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

£8 million nature boost for urban communities

Almost £8 million of funding has been announced to help people and nature thrive in some of the most deprived parts of Scotland.

The latest round of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)’s ambitious Green Infrastructure Fund will support seven major projects in cities and towns across the central belt. Continue reading £8 million nature boost for urban communities

Back to School … with a splash!

Edinburgh’s pupils head back to school next week after the long (too long, say some harassed parents!) summer holidays. The chances are the children will have their brand new uniform, pencil-cases and gym stuff … but pupils at Ferryhill will have one extra item to remember – a snorkel!

Pupils at the Drylaw primary school are taking part in an exciting new ‘Active Routes to School’ pilot organised by the city council – and part of their daily routine will be a swim on the way to school!

The city council’s Education vice-convener Alison Dickie – herself a former teacher at Ferryhill School – explained: “We have been encouraging parents and carers to avoid taking their children to school by car, but the uptake in alternatives like walking and cycling has been disappointing.

“”We know that children love to swim, so we thought that introducing a ‘natural fairy pool’ water feature to streets in Drylaw would encourage the children to take a dip before and after school. Everyone knows swimming is very good for your health and of course it’s great fun too!

“Using the latest Edinburgh People Survey results we were able to ascertain that no less than 103.5% of people in Drylaw favoured the free scheme – and only 02.35 were against. You can’t argue with wtatistics like that, so we are now planning to ‘dive in’!

“We believe this is a first for Scotland and once again Edinburgh’s Capital Coalition leads the way!”

Trials took place at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre earlier this year (above) and they were such a success that the pilot will be introduced at the start of the new term. The first public ‘pool’ opens on Easter Drylaw Avenue next week.

The Scottish Government fully supports the initiative. A spokesperson said: “Public health is our number one priority. Especially tackling obesity. So is education, that’s our number one priority, too, so this scheme really ticks all the boxes. An added bonus is that it costs us nothing so we are delighted to pass these savings on to our stakeholders, who are our top priority.”

While there may be some inconvenience for local residents, it’s believed that the benefits of ‘Swim to School’ far outweigh the disadvantages. There are some benefits for local businesses too.

A spokesperson for Farmer Autocare said: “Business has been booming over recent years with the damage potholes have been doing to cars on the city’s roads. Drivers will know to their cost just how expensive suspension repairs can be!

“Closing some roads may cause a slight ‘dip’ in profits – excuse the pun! – but the waterlogged roads could provide us with new business when cars’ electrical systems pack in. That can be a very expensive repair, too so, all in all, while it’s misery for the motorists it’s a win, win for us! Happy sailing!”

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for much of the UK, including most of Scotland. It is in place until midnight tonight, and follows localised flooding after heavy rain on Wednesday.

Drop and Roll at Underbelly raises £6,915 in support of OneCity Trust

There was a packed house at Underbelly’s Circus Hub on Wednesday, where a special gala performance of Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll raised £6,915 in support of OneCity Trust’s work in Edinburgh.

The reaction from the Wednesday night audience was immense with both the children and the adults making it the noisiest show so far. Continue reading Drop and Roll at Underbelly raises £6,915 in support of OneCity Trust

It’s time to look at the real reasons our country is in a care crisis, says recruitment chief

Promising a fix for our broken care system across the UK has become a right of passage for new prime ministers in recent times and Boris has been no exception as he has boldly pledged to give “every older person the dignity and security they deserve” by solving the care crisis “once and for all”.  Continue reading It’s time to look at the real reasons our country is in a care crisis, says recruitment chief