Day: February 22, 2020

Volunteers needed for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal

Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families, is urgently calling for volunteers in Edinburgh to give just two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.

Volunteers like Stephanie Wint (above), from Edinburgh, will be supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal – Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign, held every March.

This will be Stephanie’s 29th year volunteering, in that time raising around £20,000 for the charity. Incredibly, Stephanie spends her two-week annual leave collecting and even does it on her two days off!

Stephanie said: “I’ll do it until I drop! I get great satisfaction out of raising money and find that dressing up is a great way to get attention, my mantra is ‘just to look a little funny, raises a lot of money’.”

Heather Campbell, who has been a Healthcare Assistant at the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh for 25 years, will also be out collecting with her two twin grandsons Sonny and Ollie, age 5 (above).

Heather said: “I love doing the Great Daffodil Appeal because it’s your chance to get out and meet people and tell them about the hospice. People don’t realise that we’re very dependent on charity. They think that we’re fully funded by the NHS. It’s always a shock to them, so I always say pop in an extra pound!”

In the next 10 years, more than half a million people will die in Scotland and of this number at least 75% will need end of life care.

The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help the Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh provide much-needed expert care to people with terminal illnesses, as well as support for their loved ones.

Marie Curie is hoping to raise £700,000 in Scotland this Great Daffodil Appeal.

Last year donations helped Marie Curie provide care to over 7,500 people living with terminal illness across Scotland. Marie Curie support isn’t just for people with cancer, other terminal conditions include heart and circulatory, Alzheimer’s (including dementia) and chronic respiratory disease.

Fiona Bushby Marie Curie Community Fundraiser said: “Whether you wear a daffodil pin in celebration, in solidarity or in memory of a loved one, you are joining with millions of others to help make sure all dying people get the care and support they deserve.

“Volunteering just two hours at a local collection is a great way to show your support to your local Marie Curie hospice and help us raise money to help make sure that we can be there for more people at the end of their lives.

“Collecting can be a lot of fun too.  You can do it on your own or with family and friends, and we will support you every step of the way. Volunteering is also an easy way to get involved in your local community and meet new people.”

To volunteer for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal and give out the charity’s daffodil pins in return for donations, visit mariecurie.org.uk/collect or call free on 0800 304 7025.

Hollywood thriller will launch capital debate on ‘forever chemicals’

Edinburgh Napier Dean to lead panel discussion

EXPERTS will debate controversial ‘forever chemicals’ and the threat they pose to human health and the environment following a special preview screening of a powerful new Hollywood blockbuster.

Dark Waters, starring Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway, is to be shown at The Cameo in Edinburgh’s Home Street on Tuesday February 25, three days ahead of its official UK opening.

The screening will be followed by a 45-minute panel discussion, hosted by Professor Gary Hutchison, Dean of the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University.

He will be joined by academics, environmental activists and business representatives for a discussion of the issues raised by the thought-provoking film, based on a notorious toxic chemical scandal in the USA.

In Dark Waters, directed by Todd Haynes, Ruffalo plays lawyer Rob Bilott, who became involved in a lengthy crusade against the DuPont chemical company over the pollution of West Virginia’s water supply with PFAS or per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances used to make Teflon.

In 2017, DuPont and spinoff Chemours agreed to pay $671million to settle thousands of lawsuits. They included claims linked to thyroid disease, and kidney or testicular cancer.

Critics have hailed the new film as “a dense, angry drama” and “A David vs Goliath legal thriller for our times”.

Joining Professor Hutchison at the panel discussion and Q & A session, which follows a 6pm screening in Cameo 3, will be Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute, and Dr Fiona Stainsby a senior lecturer in microbiology at Edinburgh Napier.

Environmental charity Fidra, who are leading on a petition asking UK supermarkets to stop packing products in PFAS, and the Arcadis consultancy will be represented by Dr Kerry Dinsmore and Ian Ross respectively.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals which don’t occur naturally and are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment.

Professor Hutchison said: “I am very much looking forward to seeing Dark Waters and feel sure that the screening will provoke a lively discussion afterwards.

“PFAS chemicals are found in food, food packaging and other everyday products, and the panel will provide expert input into the ongoing debate surrounding how they should be regulated and the need to protect human health and the environment.”

Register for Tuesday night’s event here

The event is jointly hosted by the University, Think-Film Impact Production , who believe the presence of forever chemicals in air, water, food and food packaging should be a pressing concern for Scottish audiences, and eOne.

Mobile screen exposure can lead to poor sleep

Mobile phone use at night time is having a negative impact on young people’s sleep and mental wellbeing, according to a new report.

The Glasgow University report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, summarises the findings from a systematic review of the evidence on adolescent mobile device screen time and the impact on sleep.

It found that:

  • sleep quality is negatively influenced by mobile phone use in general and social media in particular
  • night time mobile use and problematic social media use were linked to depressed mood through experiences of poor quality sleep
  • experiencing online bullying is directly linked to shorter sleep as a result of obsessing about distressing thoughts and emotions

Welcoming publication of the report on a visit to a sleep awareness session run by Sleep Scotland at Montessori Arts School in Edinburgh, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “There are many positive things about technology, screens and social media.

“However in a society where so many young people have access to a mobile device and social media platforms, it is important that we get an accurate picture of the impact that can have on their sense of emotional wellbeing and their ability to get a proper and uninterrupted sleep.

“Of course it’s not just young people who have a phone or tablet by the side of their bed every night but this research shows the potentially negative impact on children and young people.

“This review is a significant piece of work that gives us a much better insight into the connections between screen time, particularly social media use, and disrupted sleep. While the evidence base is still developing, the findings demonstrate why, in February last year, we announced that we would be providing advice, specific to Scotland, on the healthy use of social media and screen time.

“That advice – being co-produced by young people and for young people – will be published in spring and will add to the help and guidance available to help ensure young people can lead heathier lives.”

Sleep Scotland Interim Chief Executive Karen Jenkinson said: “Poor sleep is a huge problem in our society, and excessive screen time is a contributing factor, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. It’s time to wake up to the importance of sleep for our health and wellbeing.”

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Scottish football clubs urged to follow Hibernian in green pledge

Football clubs in Scotland have been urged to follow the lead of Hibernian in setting out bold plans to lower their emissions and tackle the climate emergency by Lothians MSP Alison Johnstone.

Already ranked third in the UK for environmental issues after Forest Green Rovers and Manchester United, Hibs have pledged to build on being “the greenest club in Scotland” by the end of the year, by removing all single use plastics from its catering, switching its car fleet to electric vehicles and introducing vegan food to its matchday kiosks.

Responding, Scottish Greens sports spokesperson Alison Johnstone said: “This is impressive leadership shown by Hibs. Tackling the climate emergency cannot be the responsibility of individuals alone, it needs leadership by government and big businesses to make it easier for us all to play our part.

“That’s why football clubs, with their position in the hearts of our communities, can play such a vital role.

“Hibernian already use renewable electricity and take a lead on recycling, but I congratulate Hibs chairman Ronald Gordon and chief executive Leanne Dempster for showing this leadership and understanding that we need to go further if we are to provide an emergency response. I strongly urge clubs across the country to take inspiration from them.”

The Leith club announced their environmental intentions on Thursday.

Club chairman Ronald Gordon said: “Today we are very proud to announce that Hibernian FC pledged to be “The Greenest Club in Scotland” in support of action to combat climate change.

“Hibernian is a major Scottish football club and a leading Scottish sports brand, and as such we have a responsibility to use that amazing platform to lead by example, to serve our community and our city.

“It seems nowadays that on almost any evening the news has stark images of how our climate is changing and impacting on our lives, our wildlife and our planet. There is almost a danger that the incredible changes we are witnessing – wildfires and famine caused by prolonged droughts, catastrophic flooding, the devastation of our forests and the melting of our ice caps – begin to seem normal.

“So how can a football club make a difference to this global challenge? We do it by stepping up, by taking a lead, and by harnessing the power that football undoubtedly has in order to raise awareness and influence people in our community. By taking a leadership role.

“So what have we done? We are the first Club in Scotland to participate in the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

This means the Club will strive to:

– Promote greater environmental responsibility

– Reduce the overall climate impact from sports

– Use our platforms to educate for climate action

– Promote sustainable and responsible consumption

– Advocate for climate change through our communications

“We already buy 100 per cent renewable electricity, and our waste management recycling efforts are ranked first in Scotland and third in British football behind Forest Green and Manchester United. But we want to move beyond that, so we are working with Circular Edinburgh on engaging in the circular economy. The City of Edinburgh Council has declared its aim of making Scotland’s Capital carbon neutral by 2030, and we will work to support that.

“Every aspect of the Club’s activities will be reviewed, with a determination to achieve overall carbon neutrality. We are looking at how we use power better, how we might generate power, how to reduce our use of water, how we create partnerships with other like-minded organisations determined to reduce our impact on the planet.

“It’s the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do. Customers and partners of almost every business are now looking to patronise those organisations which show they run their business in a sustainable way that addresses the challenges we all face.

“Hibernian has a long tradition of innovation and firsts. This may be our biggest one yet.”

You can find out more about Hibs’ pledge here. 

First Aid Workshop for Men

Come along to a First Aid workshop specifically for Dads and Men, facilitated by First Stop Safety Training, on Monday 24th February at Granton Parish Church.

The session runs from 7 – 9pm and will cover the fundamentals of First Aid, with a particular focus on First Aid for children and Babies.

Previous First Aid sessions have proved popular, so please sign up as soon as possible.

You can read more about ‘First Stop Safety Training’ on their website: http://firststopsafetytraining.co.uk/

Whilst our workshops are free, we ask that attendees consider making a suggested donation of £10 to help cover costs.

You can pay on the night, or here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DRWorkshops?utm_term=RPNWp8BEy

Waitrose is top of Which? supermarket rankings

 

Waitrose has been rated the best UK in-store supermarket again in Which?’s annual supermarket satisfaction survey.

Waitrose scored a maximum five stars in almost every category – from ease of finding products and fast-moving queues, to friendly staff and the appearance of its shops – and was only let down by a two-star score for value.

Waitrose has now secured the top position in the Which? rankings two years in a row – holding onto the crown despite the increasing popularity of the likes of Aldi and Lidl.

In the Which? survey of more than 14,000 of its members, Asda was rated the worst, finishing at the bottom of the consumer champion’s rankings for in-store grocery shopping. 

The consumer group found that shoppers like Asda’s range of goods in store, but clearly want more recyclable packaging and products without packaging, as the store received only one star for this aspect.

The survey revealed that Asda provides neither the noteworthy store experience of Waitrose or Marks & Spencer nor the value of Aldi or Lidl. Asda scored just two stars for the quality of its own-label products.

Marks & Spencer lived up to its reputation for quality when it comes to food and drink, scoring five stars for both its own-brand and fresh produce. Its overall customer score of 73 per cent places it just below Waitrose, not managing to quite match its rival’s superb in-store experience or product range. Marks & Spencer wasn’t able to match Waitrose for ease of finding products, queues or staff availability.

Aldi and Lidl were rated best for value, both receiving five stars. The two supermarkets are seen as the best for those wanting more for their money, with rock-bottom prices making customers much more forgiving of their less-impressive traits, such as long queues, or unhelpful or hard-to-find staff.

One Aldi customer said: “It’s not a pleasant place to shop, but value for money is exceptional.”

Morrisons and Sainsbury’s came mid-table, with Tesco sliding in just below and Iceland coming in second-to-bottom. Shoppers told Which? that they like Iceland’s value for money, but this was not enough to boost its score overall. The supermarket failed to impress with its fresh produce or product range, and got just one star for availability of recyclable packaging.

The Which? study also found that when shopping in store, people were most frustrated by waiting for help at self-service checkouts (26%) and by a lack of staffed checkouts (25%).

Ocado, the UK’s only purely online supermarket, scored highly in the Which? analysis of online supermarkets and was the only supermarket endorsed as a Which? Recommended Provider, but was not included in this analysis.

Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine, said: “The quality of fresh products is the single most important factor for our members when choosing where to shop in store, and this is just one of the areas where shoppers have told us that Waitrose excels.

“There’s clear room for improvement for the ‘big four’ – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda – as they continue to trail behind Waitrose and M&S for experience, and behind Aldi and Lidl on value.”

Lottery win for Clermiston neighbours

Ten people in Clermiston are celebrating after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode.

The Rannoch Place neighbours netted the windfall when EH4 7HH was announced as a Daily Prize winner with People’s Postcode Lottery yesterday.

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson sent his congratulations to the winners. He said: “What a fantastic way to kickstart the weekend! I’m sure our winners will be out celebrating tonight.”

A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £500 million to date for thousands of good causes in Britain and beyond.

This draw was promoted by Woodland Trust which has received over £11.8 million in funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. It is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, owning over 1,000 different woods across the country. These woods support a wide range of plants and wildlife and attract thousands of visitors each year.

Many good causes close to the winners have also benefitted from players’ support, and local charities can next apply for funding in August.

For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or Facebook  and Twitter.