Did you know that over 7,000 women – mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmas, aunties, nieces, cousins, friends – are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year?
One of those women was my mother, actress Marjie Lawrence. We lost her in 2010 when she died of ovarian cancer, just three weeks after her diagnosis.
Receiving an ovarian cancer diagnosis is devastating. The latest research from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer revealed that over half the women diagnosed struggle with their mental health as a result. Despite this, there is a desperate lack of support and information available – from the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond into recovery and adjustment back to everyday life.
This is not acceptable. Women are left feeling lost, scared, and unsure where to turn.
That’s why I am writing to you today to ask for your help.
Target Ovarian Cancer aims to look after every area of life for a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This includes providing a nurse-led support line and group events where women can access crucial information and vital support. The charity also produces information guides and tools to empower women with knowledge – helping them to take control of their health.
These essential tools need urgent funding.
From midday Wednesday 11th October to midday Wednesday 18th October, there’s a fantastic opportunity to raise these funds when Target Ovarian Cancer teams up with THE BIG GIVE APPEAL to raise up to £20,000!
EVERY donation made will be matched, so it will have DOUBLE the impact. Donate £5, and it will raise £10. Donate £50 and it will raise £100.
Target Ovarian Cancer is there for everyone affected by ovarian cancer, any time they need it. Through Target Ovarian Cancer and The Big Give, more women living with ovarian cancer will be able to receive invaluable support and information – absolutely essential for the best possible outcomes.
To make a donation and have it doubled, please visit:
A statement from Unison Scottish Local Government Branch:
‘The results of our consultative ballot on COSLA’s latest pay offer are now in.
‘Our members have spoken loudly & clearly. We urge all parties to get back round the negotiating table with us to thrash out a deal to avoid further disruption in schools across Scotland.’
Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said: “Obviously this ballot result from UNISON is very disappointing given the strength of the offer on the table.
“I would like to make the following points:
“Firstly, Scotland’s Council Leaders value their workforce.
“Secondly, we have listened to our Trade Unions, met all their asks and worked with Scottish Government to put an incredibly strong half a billion pound pay package on the table – which we hope the other trade union members will vote to accept.
“Finally, offering almost 10 per cent or a £2006 pay increase for our lowest paid workers, which the unions specifically asked for, and £1929 or at least 5.5% for everyone else is as far as Local Government can go without impacting service and jobs.”
Wet wipes containing plastic could be banned as part of proposals to tackle plastic and microplastic pollution.
The consultation, which is being undertaken by all four UK nations, seeks views on a proposed ban on the manufacture, supply and sale of plastic-containing wet wipes across the UK.
Wet wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Banning these products would help alleviate this issue, as well as reducing the volume of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants when wrongly flushed.
The consultation comes in response to public calls for action to tackle plastic pollution in waterways, and widespread support for the proposed ban.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “This is very welcome progress towards a goal we all want to achieve: tackling plastic pollution.
“Wet wipes containing plastic are an avoidable and yet a growing source of beach litter. They are unsightly; they pose risks to the environment and wildlife; and annually they contribute to around 36,000 sewer system blockages in Scotland, risking flooding and costing approximately £7 million to clear.
“This is only the first step: legislation alone cannot solve this issue and we all need to be more careful about what we flush. We continue to support Scottish Water’s ‘Nature Calls’ campaign highlighting the impact of inappropriately-flushed items and the damage they cause to our environment.
“We have already successfully delivered a ban on other single-use plastic products such as straws and cutlery – which also contribute to marine litter. This will deliver on a commitment made in our Marine Litter Strategy and is another important step on our journey towards a truly circular economy.”
Momentous Moments can sometimes pass you by without pause, but we do want to shout about this one. The Edinburgh Remakery has just refurbished its 20,000th piece of tech in the span of 10 incredible years!
Amazing, considering that our Tech Team consisted of just one individual at the beginning! Their drive and determination have propelled this project into what it is today – a team of six, working hard to refurbish the donated tech for sale (at very affordable prices) and for gifting to people facing digital poverty. It’s a brilliant testament to sustainability and innovation.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that each of these 20,000 refurbished items has been given a new lease on life, extending their usability and diverting them from the clutches of landfill. Every refurbished piece represents a step towards a greener and more sustainable future.
A huge shoutout to the entire Tech Team for their continued hard work, dedication, and belief in the power of refurbishment. Let’s celebrate this milestone and continue to drive change towards a more eco-friendly world. Together, we can make a difference, one refurbished tech item at a time!
POLICE are appealing for information after a large oil painting was taken from outside a property in the Quarry Cottages area of Newcraighall.
The incident happened between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday, 30 September, 2023.
The painting is a portrait of Lord Nelson in a gold frame and measures 1.4 metres by 1.4 metres. It is worth a five-figure sum.
Police Constable Richard Bradley said: “This is a large painting that was placed outside as work was being done within a property and the owner wanted to protect it from damage.
“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious or who has seen the painting or knows where it is to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3572 of Saturday, 30 September, 2023, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
LIFT @ Millenium Centre and the Living Memory Association are two of three good causes across the East of Scotland to have been shortlisted to receive a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.
The funding will be announced next April, following a vote by Scotmid members.
LIFT @ Millenium Centre offers support to families living in the most deprived areas of Edinburgh or those that are socially or financially vulnerable. The funding from Scotmid will be used to deliver ‘Family Teatime’ sessions, which will provide families an opportunity to eat, play and learn together in a safe and welcoming environment.
The Living Memory Association brings together people that are socially isolated or living with dementia. From their base in Ocean Terminal, the charity offers exhibitions, including The Wee Museum of Memory, as well as recording podcasts and videos. The funding from Scotmid will be used to employ a part-time sessional worker and cover materials needed for their workshops.
Pauline Nicol-Bowie, CEO/Founder of LIFT, said: “We are incredibly thankful to be part of Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative, which will help us expand our ‘Family Teatime’ programme.
“This is a vital part of local communities in North Edinburgh and we look forward to being able to expand our services to support more people.”
Heather Robertson, Service Co-ordinator at Living Memory Association, said: “The Living Memory Association is delighted to be shortlisted for Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.
“The funding will allow us to develop new projects for older people to celebrate lived experience and combat the loneliness and isolation the community can often face.”
The other charity shortlisted in the East of Scotland is Children’s Clothing Bank Dunfermline, which provides pre-loved good quality and new clothes in a dignified manner for children aged 0-18 years in the local community.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
A selection of traditional Ukrainian art workshops for both children and adults
Exciting Milestone Alert! 
Let’s celebrate this milestone and continue to drive change towards a more eco-friendly world. Together, we can make a difference, one refurbished tech item at a time! 
Happy October Hols! 
