Circle launches Sponsor the Difference winter campaign

Circle has launched their ‘Sponsor the Difference’ campaign to help families cope with the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and stay warm, fed, clothed and safe this winter.

Circle is a Scottish charity working at the heart of disadvantaged communities across central Scotland. These communities are impacted by persistent poverty, social injustice, and health inequalities, problems that have only been worsened as a result of the crisis. 

Families will be experiencing difficulties and hardship as the costs of energy, food, fuel, and the basic essentials of day-to-day living continue to increase. Circle have already seen an increase in accessing additional support for heating and food and this is only going to worsen over the winter months.

“It’s been a real pressure with rising prices. I reckon my food bill has gone up by a third. I’d like to batch cook and freeze things but that increases my electricity bill. It’s tight providing food for the family, I try to buy sensibly, using all the yellow labels but the prices mean there’s no scope for any unexpected bills like when the washing machine broke. I worry about the winter and how we’ll cope.”- Parent

The families Circle support desperately need material aid – food, clothing, and money for energy bills. They also need whole family support, that will give them the guidance, skills, and resources to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Therefore, the charity has launched their winter campaign  Sponsor the Difference  to ask for donations to help children and families in desperate need cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

Families supported by Circle’s work were heavily involved in the creation of the campaign by providing examples of how they’ve been affected by the crisis and participating in case studies to share their experiences to raise awareness of the challenges they face and reminding others that they aren’t alone.

This is part of Circle’s participation strategy, to give children and families they work with the confidence and opportunity to have their voices heard and be listened to.

All donations will go towards purchasing energy cards, food vouchers and warm winter clothes for families to help them make it through one of the harshest winters they have ever faced.

The charity highlighted the issues facing many of their families across Challenge Poverty Week and are using the Winter Campaign to continue to spread awareness of the detrimental impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on families across Scotland. 

Circle CEO, Mark Kennedy said “While Challenge Poverty Week did help to highlight the effects that poverty has on too many families across Scotland, we remain very conscious of the need to keep helping the families that do not have the means to afford the basic necessities of life.

“At Circle, we will remain focused on helping families to eat, keep warm, and ensure that children have what they need to attend school through one of the harshest winters they have ever faced.”

A £10 donation could cover the rise in gas and electricity bills for a family for one week, and they have many more examples of how a little from you could go a long way for a family.

Sponsor the Difference now by visiting:  

https://circle.scot/support-us/winter-campaign/

Acts of heroism recognised by First Minister at Brave Heart awards

Fourteen emergency response workers and two members of the public have been presented with a Brave@Heart Award by the First Minister last night.

The award recognises acts of bravery and heroism across Scotland with nominations made by the emergency services and winners selected by an independent validation panel.

This year winners include staff from HM Coast Guard, Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland for acts as wide ranging as dealing with violent attackers, life-saving actions in challenging search and rescue conditions and assisting during an explosion and building collapse.

Two members of the public have also been recognised for their quick thinking including six-year-old Benji who phoned an ambulance for his mum during an emergency and Scott MacQuarrie who helped get members of the public to safety after driving their car onto tram tracks before making contact with an oncoming tram driver to prevent a collision and avoid a more serious incident.

 PC Josh McCorry was also presented with two St Andrew’s Awards for exceptional acts of bravery on behalf of himself and his colleague PC Glenn Coletta – both men were left severely injured after being attacked by a man with a meat cleaver but managed to prevent him from injuring anyone else.

Speaking after the award ceremony at Bute House, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Presenting these awards is an honour for me and I’m extremely happy to able to recognise those who put their lives at risk to save others in person once again.

“Each and every one of the recipients here tonight went above and beyond the call of duty, showing astounding courage and quick thinking to prevent incidents in extraordinary circumstances. They are inspiring and an example to the whole of Scotland.”

Phil Jones, Chair of the Brave@Heart 2022 validation panel, said: “The Brave@Heart award winners represent the very best of Scotland. Their heroic acts have protected others who have often been in desperate and perilous situations.  

“These winners also remind us that thousands of people in Scotland are working to protect others every day. It’s so important that their contributions are celebrated because they set an example to us all.”