April 2023 – Page 26 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Virtual reality brings fantasy garden to life for thousands of children

Global immersive technology company collaborates with Teapot Trust to create cutting edge VR experience

An exciting collaboration between Edify and Teapot Trust will bring to life the transformative power of art therapy through virtual reality and a fantasy garden.

The partnership between the East Lothian charity and the immersive technology company, with headquarters in both Glasgow and Abu Dhabi, comes as Teapot Trust prepares to host a show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Teapot Trust is a charity at the forefront of transformative mental health support that provides art therapy to children, young people and their families living with chronic conditions.

The Elsewhere Garden, designed by Scottish Swiss partnership SempleBegg, will showcase at the prestigious gardening event in May this year. The garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy and is inspired by Willy Wonka’s factory, Oz and Wonderland.

Edify, a leading-edge tech company that builds innovative immersive technology platforms for learning and teaching is donating its time to the charity to create a virtual reality experience of the garden.

This ground-breaking technology will provide a completely new context for art therapy where children and art therapists can connect, create, and explore in a digital realm. The impact will be far reaching, enabling increased access by overcoming geographical and physical barriers.

By bringing the garden to children (like those in a ward) who cannot physically leave hospital to explore outdoors, it will help them experience the world around them in a new way while introducing vital art therapy themes like increased communication, relaxation techniques, and mental coping mechanisms.

Fergus Bruce, Senior Director at Edify said: “Central to Edify’s mission is making the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ superpowers of immersive technology accessible as widely as possible.

“With that in mind, we’re delighted to support the Teapot Trust and the vital work they do by ensuring that the ‘Elsewhere Garden’ can be experienced far beyond RHS Chelsea. We’ll do this by utilising both the Edify platform and the skill of our team to create a virtual experience of the actual garden which keeps its magic accessible and growing long after the event itself.”

Edify and Teapot Trust were introduced through the Scottish Tech Army, a unique volunteer community bringing together tech experts and the third sector for the benefit of people and communities.

Kirsty McIntosh of Scottish Tech Army added: “We are delighted to bring the Teapot Trust and Edify together.

“This is a great example of the tech for good ecosystem in action and we are excited to see how this collaboration will support the aims of the charity.”

Sarah Randall, CEO of Teapot Trust said: “The Elsewhere Garden has been created with the most incredible amount of passion, love and nurture so the ability to bring this to life in a virtual reality world to benefit thousands of children and young people who won’t experience the garden in real life is a wonderful opportunity.

“The Edify platform will enable art therapists to join and guide children in a virtual experience while also giving the potential for children within an art therapy group to interact with each other within the digital garden. This is a tremendous asset to have, which is down to the overwhelming generosity and creativity which Edify has brought to the project.”

Art therapy techniques will be incorporated into the experience, with specific plants, views, and sensations being central to art therapy exercises and themes. This safe and controlled experience will help children grow confidence to navigate tech and tech-enabled learning in a fun, playful, and imaginative immersive experience, boosting their confidence and helping them understand that they can overcome barriers in their own lives.

One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.

The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life.

New veterinary journal study reveals sharp rise in ear-cropping

Ear cropping of dogs rose sharply in 2021, Vet Record study finds

A study published in leading veterinary journal Vet Record has found that rates of ear cropping in dogs seen in vet practices in the UK rose sharply in 2021.

In the majority of cases, the dogs had been legally imported from EU countries where the procedure is illegal, igniting renewed calls for action on closing this legislative loophole via the Kept Animals Bill.

The study, Dogs with cropped ears in the UK: A population-based study using electronic health records, has been published in a recent issue (4-11 March 2023) of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) journal.

It found that a total of 132 dogs with cropped ears were seen by vets across a sample size of 500 practices between 2015 and 2022, with numbers peaking in 2021.

The breeds most likely to have cropped ears were the American bulldog, Dobermann, Italian mastiff and bulldog. In more than 60% of the cases, the dogs had been imported from countries where ear cropping is illegal, such as Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain, Poland and Ireland.

Ear cropping is an unnecessary, painful mutilation that involves cutting off part of a puppy’s ear flap for cosmetic reasons, often without anaesthesia or pain relief. Sometimes the ears are splinted to make them stand upright.

The practice carries no health or welfare benefits for the dog and is illegal in the UK. However, it remains legal to import and sell dogs with cropped ears, and it’s not a specific offence to send dogs abroad to be cropped.

The increase in rates of ear cropping reported in the Vet Record study was determined to be broadly consistent with data from the RSPCA in a similar period, with 279 cases and a 621% increase in reports of ear cropping made to the charity’s emergency helpline between 2015 and 2020.

Similarly, in BVA’s 2021 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, six in 10 vets that had seen ear cropping felt the number of dogs with cropped ears they saw in practice had increased over the previous year.

It also found that there is still work to be done to raise awareness among clients that ear cropping is illegal in the UK- while 19% of vets believe most of the owners of dogs with cropped ears they saw were already aware that the mutilation is illegal, 15% said that none of their clients were aware until they reached the practice.

The study’s authors- Lucy J. Norris, Gina L. Pinchbeck, Peter-John M. Noble and Alan D. Radford- used data from electronic health records submitted by veterinary practices participating in the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET).

They acknowledge that the findings of their research are likely just a small snapshot of the true scale of the ear cropping problem*. Figures from the 2022 PDSA PAW Report suggest that the true numbers of dogs imported with cropped ears could be as high as 26,000.

In a commentary accompanying the research, RSPCA Head of Companion Animals Samantha Gaines writes: “The study provides strong evidence to refute arguments for ear cropping to prevent ear infections, as the breed types identified in Norris and colleagues’ study are not generally predisposed to such infections. Rather, this finding adds weight to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the motivation for ear cropping in many dogs is driven by appearance rather than any perceived health benefits.

“It is also possible that some dogs were cropped illegally in the UK using legal importation as a smokescreen for this activity. Indeed, it is the RSPCA’s experience that many dogs stated as being cropped outside of the UK have histories that would make this highly unlikely.”

In an editorial, Vet Record editor-in-chief Suzanne Jarvis said: “This research, together with an accompanying commentary article by Samantha Gaines, offers an insight into the murky, sometimes illegal, circumstances surrounding ear cropping.

“The researchers identified dogs that had had their ears cropped in the UK, despite the procedure being illegal here. There were further cases where it was very difficult to establish when and where the cropping had been done. The worrying thing is that some owners don’t even realise that their dog has been mutilated.

“One solution to the importation problem is proposed in the Kept Animals Bill, which is currently stalled in parliament. Although there could be potential for fraud around grandfather rights initially, a ban on such importations would ultimately mean that the sight of a dog with cropped ears becomes a thing of the past in the UK.”

British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton said: ”This paper provides further evidence on the concerning rise in ear cropping that vets are seeing in practice. Unsurprisingly, as the study’s authors state, the numbers of cropped dogs seen in this study are not representative of the true UK-wide picture, with that figure expected to me much higher.

“As part of the British Veterinary Association’s #CutTheCrop campaign, we would like to see the government take decisive action to pass the Kept Animals Bill, which will help close the legal loophole that allows the importation of dogs with cropped ears into the UK and acts as a cover for the illegal procedure to be carried out within the country too.”

For more information on BVA’s #CutTheCrop campaign, see:

https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/ear-cropping-campaign/

To access the Vet Record research, see:

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.2483

Make memories this spring with the National Trust for Scotland

Scotland’s largest conservation charity has thousands of experiences to share with supporters this spring
Easter trails, the re-opening of the House of the Binns, spring blooms in stunning gardens and new tours are amongst the highlights

The National Trust for Scotland is calling on the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians to protect, share and enjoy nature, beauty and heritage this spring by visiting the places everyone loves in Scotland, such as House of the Binns and Gladstone’s Land, and enjoying thousands of experiences, including events like the Festhailes music festival.

Across Edinburgh and the Lothians this spring, visitors can explore the first signs of the season at Malleny Garden and Inveresk Lodge Garden or admire the architectural grandeur of the magnificently restored Georgian House in Charlotte Square. For the first time since before the pandemic, the historic House of the Binns in Linlithgow opened its doors again on 1 April following an extensive period of repairs and refurbishment to conserve over 400 years of heritage.

Members of the conservation charity enjoy free access to more than 100 places, including Malleny Garden, Georgian House, Inveresk Lodge and Preston Mill.

Events planned for the coming months include tailored tours such as Tables Through Time: Food in Gladstone’s Land, a guided event showcasing the lives of three women that lived and worked in the property on Friday 14 April.

Newhailes is providing visitors with a range of fun-filled events – from the Newhailes Big Top Circus Showcase and circus skills workshop on Saturday 8 and 9 April to Festhailes 2023 music festival on Saturday 13 May, and Doghailes on Sunday 30 July.

More information on the events and tickets can be found on the Trust website.

The National Trust for Scotland’s family Easter Egg Trails are also back this year. Taking place across 32 Trust places throughout the country, including House of the Binns and Newhailes House & Gardens, between Friday 7 and Monday 10 April solve clues hidden around the grounds, before claiming a chocolate treat. With Trail sheets available at each venue for just £4, more information can be found on the Trust website.

Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see just how popular our places proved with people last year, as we all started to recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and the uncertainty that followed.

“It is our charity’s privilege to share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage with everyone, and we are very grateful to all our supporters who make this possible. By being part of the National Trust for Scotland, they are helping protect, share and enjoy the places where memories are made.

“Over the coming months, we have some exciting projects coming to fruition which will give all our supporters even more experiences to share this spring and summer.”

Following the launch of its 10-year strategy, Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone, in March last year, the National Trust for Scotland has focused on caring for Scotland’s special places, providing access and enjoyment and being a sustainable charity, including restoring and regenerating woodland and peatlands at Mar Lodge Estate, creating sustainable visitor facilities at Corrieshalloch National Nature Reserve and unveiling an innovative new garden at Pitmedden which is adapted for a changing climate.

This work is possible thanks to the support of members and donors.

To support the conservation charity’s work to care for Scotland’s special places, join at www.nts.org.uk. Prices start from £3.20 for those aged 16 to 24, £5.50 for adults and £4.85 per month for those aged 60 and over.

For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, or the events taking place in your area, visit: www.nts.org.uk.

New First Minister must open his eyes to challenges facing vision impaired

EDINBURGH, UK – 14th February 2022: Sight Scotland community service users meet with staff for a social event at Robertson Avenue. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)

Sight Scotland, and its sister charity Sight Scotland Veterans, are calling on the new Frist Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP, to improve inclusivity and accessibility for the vision impaired.

An estimated 180,000 people are currently living in Scotland who are blind or partially sighted, with this number expected to double by 2031 to almost 400,000. People living with vision impairment face a multitude of challenges on a daily basis, including loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion.

If we add in spiralling waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis, and growing problems with accessibility in our towns and cities, it is clear to see that more needs to be done to support people living with sight loss across the country.

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “As a former Health Secretary, our new First Minister knows the challenges that are facing healthcare and public health in Scotland.

“You just have to look at the latest ophthalmology waiting times statistics released by Public Health Scotland to realise that the Scottish Government must do better.

“On average 36% of new outpatients had to wait over 16 weeks for eye appointments, a rise of almost 10% in just three months. This number then grows to over 50% in some health boards such as Fife and Lanarkshire.

“People with deteriorating eye conditions just don’t have the time to wait, if ophthalmology waiting times are not improved, many face the very real prospect of permanent damage.

“The cost of living crisis is also hitting the vision impaired community hard. The majority of people living with sight loss already face additional expenses, such as transportation costs, technology assistance costs and support in the home.

“They are also forced to spend a lot more time in their home due to vision loss, which makes fuel poverty a very real threat due to soaring energy bills. This is forcing many to cut back on essentials such as food, heating and electricity, which is having a terrible impact on both their physical and mental health.

“The Scottish Government must address the growing problems of accessibility in Scotland. More streets in Scotland are being transformed to give priority to active travel, but unfortunately there are many instances where these new layouts are dangerous for visually impaired people.

“Issues centring around cycle paths with no kerbs, floating bus stops and staggered zebra crossings, are causing real safety concerns. Meaningful engagement with communities is key to this so that their lived experience can inform plans that meet the needs of everyone.”

Spalding adds: “We are looking forward to working alongside the new Scottish Government to help address many of these issues and to develop further the new See Hear strategy and the National Low Vision service.

“We welcomed the launch of the new eyes.scot website, and the reestablishment of the Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation course at Strathclyde University which is a step in the right direction to ensuring more people with visual impairment have access to specialist support to lead independent day to day lives.

“A new First Minister and Cabinet present a real opportunity to address these challenges. We welcome the chance to work even closer together to ensure the needs of people living with sight loss are at the top of the agenda.”

For more information about the activity groups please visit:

https://sightscotland.org.uk

Eilish McColgan calls on Scots to get active to feed hungry children

FROM DALMALLY TO MALAWI: The champion runner is asking people to clock up miles this April to raise funds for Mary’s Meals

Scottish long-distance running champion Eilish McColgan, who broke the British half-marathon record at the weekend, is calling on people to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ new fundraising challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi.

Founded 20 years ago in a shed in Argyll, Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Malawi, Kenya and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future. 

Eilish, who is currently training for this April’s London Marathon, says: “As a sportsperson, I am really passionate about helping people to enjoy keeping fit. That’s why I’m delighted to support Mary’s Meals’ new active challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi.

“There’s still time to sign up and help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities. All you need to do is pledge to complete a number of miles in April and ask friends and family for sponsorship.  

By signing up to the challenge, Scots will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals.

From walking, to running, to swimming – participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose. The money raised through sponsorship will help to feed desperately hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries.  

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We’re really grateful to Eilish for going the extra mile for Mary’s Meals, and backing our new fundraising challenge.

“However many miles you pledge, taking part in From Dalmally to Malawi allows you to follow the Mary’s Meals journey while helping us to reach the next hungry child. I hope as many people as possible join us this April!”

People signing up to the challenge will receive a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt and will be invited to join an exclusive online community, where they’ll receive inspirational video messages and stories from Mary’s Meals. 

By taking part, people in Scotland will be helping children like Exton from Malawi. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge every day that fills his empty stomach and gives him energy to learn.

Exton says: “I come to school knowing that I will find food. Mary’s Meals gives me joy and happiness and that helps me to pass with flying colours in class.”

To sign up to the From Dalmally to Malawi challenge, please visit: marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/from-dalmally-to-malawi

Vet warns about Easter traditions that are dangerous to our pet

Vet warns about top Easter traditions that aren’t pet friendly

Easter is a fun time full of celebrations for the whole family, and it’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet but it’s important to be aware of the dangers that pose a threat to our beloved furry friends at this time of year.

On average, April sees a 54 per cent increase in dogs being poisoned by chocolate* compared to other times of the year, making it the second highest month for claims after the Christmas period.

To ensure Easter is a happy and safe time for you and your pet, Bella & Duke’s Chief Veterinary Consultant, Brendan Clarkelists his 5 top tips for making Easter safe for your pet, including which easter foods and springtime plants they should be avoiding.

Easter eggs and chocolate treats

Easter eggs and other chocolate treats are a definite no for pets. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is toxic and really difficult for dogs and cats to metabolise. The level of toxicity depends on the darkness and concentration of the cacao, so a quality 85% dark chocolate is going to be much more toxic than one milk chocolate M&M but giving any type of chocolate to pets must be avoided. If you want to get your pet involved in the annual easter egg hunt, why not opt for some scrumptious venison treats.

2. Hot cross buns

Hot cross buns contain dried fruit such as raisins and sultanas, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause kidney damage. It’s important you ensure these are kept out of reach from your pet as even small quantities can cause a lot of damage.

Spring bulbs and flowers

Easter is beautiful time of year with spring flowers and bulbs in full bloom, but make sure you keep them well out of reach of your furry friend, particularly if they’re prone to chewing plants or digging up the garden.

Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis are all common spring plants that are poisonous to both cats and dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and other dangerous side effects. It’s always really important to keep an eye on your dog to make sure it’s not eating anything nasty out on walks

Lilies, including Asiatic lilies and daylilies, can be harmful to both dogs and cats, however the consequences are far more severe in cats. The flowers, leaves, pollen (which may easily attach to your cat’s fur and then be mistakenly swallowed through the grooming process) are all deadly. Even the water from a vase holding lilies, if consumed, can be potentially lethal. Make sure if you receive any flower bouquets this spring, that they are well out of reach of your pets.

4. Easter basket fillers and decorations

When gifting or receiving easter baskets, it can be tempting to let pets play with plastic grass and straw and tissue, but they can be easily swallowed and often lead to digestive issues, resulting in vomiting, bloating and dehydration. Always keep decorations and gifts out of reach and use pet-friendly toys instead.

5. Spring Cleaning

If you’re using Easter to tidy up the house with a bit of spring cleaning, it’s important to remember that many cleaning products can be dangerous to pets.

Common household cleaning products such as heavily scented disinfectants, bleach and laundry detergent are toxic and should be kept safely away from pets.

If you’re doing a spring clean, it’s a great opportunity to give your pet’s belongings a deep clean to remove dirt, hair, and bacteria, using pet-friendly products.

Brendan Clarke, Chief Veterinary Consultant at Bella & Duke said: “Easter can be such a fun time for the whole family, including our pets too. We all like to treat ourselves to festive treats such as easter eggs and hot cross buns, but it’s really important we know what’s good and bad for our pets’ health.

“The safest bet is to make sure easter chocolate is not left in reach of your pets, stick to raw food and natural treats for easter egg hunts and always be alert when out and about on spring walks.”

*The Kennel Club 2022

UK State Pension age timetable will remain unchanged … for now

The UK Government has announced that the State Pension age (SPa) timetable will, for the time being, remain unchanged from the current legislated timetable:

SPa will increase from 66 to 67 – between April 2026 and April 2028
SPa will increase from 67 to 68 – between April 2044 and April 2046

The government’s second periodic review of the State Pension age sets out plans for a further SPa review within 2 years of the next Parliament. That review will reconsider the rise of the SPa to age 68. The government remains committed to the principle of providing 10 years’ notice of changes to the SPa.

The government’s review was informed by reports from the Government Actuary and Baroness Neville-Rolfe GAD’s Technical Bulletin summarises the findings and recommendations of these 3 reports.

Uncertainty in future life expectancy trends

The Government Actuary’s report sets out the results of calculations illustrating when SPa would increase under different scenarios.

The report considers what the timetable may look like for different target proportions of adult life being spent in retirement and different projections of life expectancy. Other assumptions were prescribed by the Secretary of State, such as the age someone starts their working life and the life expectancy tables to be considered.

The calculated SPa timetables are shown to be highly sensitive to the proportion of adult life in retirement and to the life expectancy assumptions adopted.

Recent slowing improvements in life expectancy and the unknown long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes projecting future trends even more uncertain.

Person's hands typing on a laptop which shows a graph in grey.

Sustainability of the State Pension

Baroness Neville-Rolfe’s report explains that there are many factors to take account of when setting the SPa timetable. These include sustainability and affordability, as well as intergenerational fairness.

Her recommendations included 2 metrics:

the proportion of adult life that people should, on average, expect to spend in retirement should be up to 31%
the government should set a limit on State Pension-related expenditure of up to 6% of Gross Domestic Product

Based on these metrics, SPa would increase to 68 between 2041 and 2043.

Government report

The government welcomed the findings from the Government Actuary and Baroness Neville-Rolfe. It also noted a level of uncertainty in relation to the longer-term data on life expectancy, labour markets and the public finances.

Due to this uncertainty, the government concluded that the current rules for the rise to 68 remain appropriate. It does not intend to change the existing legislation prior to the conclusion of the next review which is planned to be within 2 years of the next Parliament.

Proposed reforms to state pension provision in France has caused major public protests across the country.

Income Tax rise for higher earners as new tax year begins

Additional half a billion pounds raised for public services

Changes to income tax in Scotland have come into force and are estimated to raise more than half a billion pounds of additional revenue this financial year to support vital public services.

The tax rates for earnings between £12,571 and £43,662 remain the same while earnings above £43,663 are now taxed at the Higher tax rate of 42%.

The threshold at which people pay the Top Rate of tax has reduced from £150,000 to £125,140 with earnings over that threshold now taxed at 47%.

According to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, these changes will raise £129 million in 2023-24.

The Higher Rate threshold will also remain at its 2022-23 level, applying to earnings over £43,662, which will increase revenue by a further £390 million when compared to uprating the threshold by inflation, according to Scottish Government estimates.

As the new financial year begins, Scottish taxpayers are also being encouraged to check if their tax code on their first payslip is correct – people paying Scottish Income Tax should have a tax code that starts with an S.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “The decisions we have made on income tax are fair and progressive by ensuring that those who can, contribute more. They strengthen our social contract with the people of Scotland who will continue to enjoy many benefits not available in the rest of the UK such as free prescriptions.

“The additional revenue will help us invest in our vital public services including the NHS, above and beyond the funding received from the UK Government. At the same time, the majority of taxpayers in Scotland will still be paying less income tax than if they lived in the rest of the UK.

“Now that the new financial year has started, I’d also encourage people to check that the tax code is correct on the first payslip they get. If you think your tax code is wrong, you can check your details with HMRC who will be able to help.”

The new Scottish Income Tax bands and rates for the financial year 2023-24 are:

Band	Band name	Rate
£12,571* – £14,732	Starter Rate	19%
£14,733 – £25,688	Basic Rate	20%
£25,689 – £43,662	Intermediate Rate	21%
£43,663 – £125,140**	Higher Rate	42%
Over £125,140	Top Rate	47%

* Assumes individuals are in receipt of the standard Personal Allowance.

** Those earning more than £100,000 will see their Personal Allowance reduced by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000.

The Personal Allowance threshold remains reserved and is set by the UK Government at the UK Budget.

Scottish residents urged to nominate a charity to receive share of £1 million

Residents in Scotland can nominate a good cause to receive £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than £1million gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland.

Since the awards began, people in Scotland have submitted over 141,400 nominations and 179 Scottish based charities have benefited from valuable donations.

While the pandemic and the current economic climate has had an adverse effect on cash donations, the amount of people choosing to volunteer their time for a good cause is rising.

Scottish residents can now give a minute to nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com.

The Movement for Goods Awards has gifted over £4million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started.

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. 150 winning charities will be announced from 1 June, with a further 150 revealed in September. Further gifts will be awarded throughout the year.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, says: “We are immensely proud to be supporting many hundreds of charities through our Movement for Good Awards for the fifth year running.

“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference so we’re asking that people give a minute of their time to nominate a cause they care about to receive an award.

“Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes. With financial strain continuing to impact many households the Movement for Good Awards represents a great way for people to continue to support causes close to their hearts, without worrying about an additional cost.

“Any charity can win no matter how large or small and even with just one nomination. So find a minute, jump online and nominate – because that small amount of time is invaluable for charities.”

Benefact Group has donated almost £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK². The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025.

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

Visit www.movementforgood.com to nominate a charity now.

Letters: Support NSPCC Scotland

Dear Editor,

The NSPCC supports thousands of children in Scotland and the rest of the UK every week.

Our practitioners help children and families through difficult times, our Childline counsellors help young people when they feel they have nowhere else to turn, while our Helpline staff offer support and advice to parents and carers and adults who are concerned about the safety of children.

Locally, our campaigns teams and Schools Service staff and volunteers are working in communities to deliver workshops such as ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’ which shares vital messaging for adults and children to help prevent child neglect and abuse.

Many people are surprised that the NSPCC relies on public donations for around 90 per cent of its funding, which makes our fundraising staff and volunteers essential to be able to continue our vital work.

We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is making life financially difficult for many across the country and people may feel unable to support the NSPCC through a regular charitable donation. However, there is an alternative.

By leaving a gift in your will to the NSPCC, you can help to share the most powerful legacy with future generations – the gift of a safe and happy childhood. You can help to make sure that more children are safe and supported.

Your donation will help us stop abuse, neglect and exploitation. It will fund Childline and Helpline, education programmes in schools here in Scotland, and help us invest in community projects that support families facing tough times, equipping them with the skills to nurture happier childhoods.

Details on how to leave a gift in your will to the NSPCC Scotland and ensure that we continue to be there for children for years to come are available at www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us

Yours sincerely,

Paul Cockram

Head of Fundraising, NSPCC Scotland