Day: September 15, 2024

Edinburgh smashes Kiltwalk record with biggest-ever Capital event

9,100 Kiltwalk Heroes raised funds for 800 charities

9,100 Kiltwalk Heroes took over the capital today in the biggest-ever Edinburgh Kiltwalk, with 802 different Scottish charities already benefitting from every penny and pound raised. The fundraising total stood at £1.3 million at 9 am, as 3,700 smiling walkers, many of them sporting a touch of tartan, set off from the magnificent Holyrood Park.

Another 3,100 walkers took on the 11-mile Big Stroll from Fisherrow Links, Musselburgh, while 2,300 embarked on the 5-mile Wee Wander from Victoria Park. All participants completed their tartan-clad journey at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium finish line.

The Hunter Foundation, which underwrites the Kiltwalk, ensures it remains Scotland’s most affordable platform for charities to raise crucial funds. Sir Tom Hunter of The Hunter Foundation joined the walkers in Edinburgh and paid tribute to their incredible efforts.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “This is a record-breaking Kiltwalk – Edinburgh’s biggest ever, with over 9,000 people. Every year, we continue to grow, which is a double-edged sword as it reflects the increasing number of people in need within our communities.

“But for every person in need, there’s a good person ready to lend a helping hand by taking part in events like Kiltwalk. Kiltwalk connects those in need with those who want to help – seamlessly and with a smile. Thank you for your Kiltwalk kindness.”

The Hunter Foundation surprised three charities by giving each a £5,000 cash boost during the ‘Happiest Minute at Kiltwalk’ giveaways.

Local charities River Kids, which provides clothing, toys, and household essentials to disadvantaged children, and Hopscotch, which offers respite breaks for children, were both stunned by the announcement just before setting off from Holyrood Park.

Later, at Victoria Park, Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which supports children with essential school uniforms, was equally delighted when it, too, was awarded £5,000 to support its important work.

Pit stops along the route offered delicious snacks from Kiltwalk’s Official Supermarket partner, Lidl, and encouragement was provided by charities Cyrenians, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), and Marie Curie.

Fundraising manager for Cyrenians, Sophie Bell, said: “The Cyrenians team had an incredible time at our first-ever Pit Stop.

“The day was an invaluable opportunity for many lovely walkers to learn about the vital prevention work we do in local communities. Scotland should be a place where people facing tough times get the support they need before they hit a crisis, but right now, we’re in a national housing emergency.

“We are especially grateful to the amazing fundraisers who supported– every penny raised is helping us to provide essential support to even more people in crisis. A massive thank you from us all at Cyrenians for your dedication and support!”

Community and events fundraiser for SAMH, Catriona Wilson, said: “The SAMH team loved every minute of our day.

“We were grateful to have an incredible 169 Kiltwalkers who took part in support of SAMH, and it was really moving to spend time with them at our Pit Stop and hear their stories about why they’ve chosen to raise much-needed funds for Scotland’s mental health.

“It’s also a great reminder that being physically active is a powerful way to support our mental wellbeing. From everyone at SAMH, we’d love to extend a huge thank you to each of our supporters – the need for our life-changing services continues to grow, and your support is helping us transform lives.”

Every Kiltwalker who registered and fundraised is in with a chance of winning a car worth £30,000 thanks to Headline Sponsor Arnold Clark.

Lee-Ann Edison, Group Communications and PR Director of Arnold Clark, said: “Kiltwalk is an amazing charity that makes such a huge difference to communities across Scotland, and we’re delighted to continue our support with another fantastic event.  

“Edinburgh Kiltwalk might be the last Kiltwalk of 2024, but it sure was a memorable one! Especially for one lucky Kiltwalker who will have the chance to win any car up to the value of £30,000!  

“Everyone should be very proud of their involvement and the profound impact their fundraising will have.

“Well done to everyone who took part!” 

Royal Bank of Scotland, Headline Sponsor of Kiltwalk and Partner of Team GB at the Paris Olympics, helped ensure all finish-line meals were served in compostable pots, all rubbish was fully recycled and reused, and nothing went to landfill.

Judith Cruickshank, One Bank Scotland Chair, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Kiltwalk is one of the highlights of Scotland’s charity and community calendar, and it is one Royal Bank of Scotland has been proud to partner.

“The events brings together thousands of people from across the country and the Edinburgh walk in the country’s capital was no exception. Hundreds of bank colleagues joined customers and the public to help fundraise for groups and charities which are making a positive difference to people across Scotland.

“Whether as participant, volunteer or spectator, everyone here in Edinburgh today has helped make it another success. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, its impact will also be felt for months and years to come.”

At the finish line, there was music, dancing, hot food, and novelty acts like tartan-clad stilt walkers, courtesy of Gold Sponsor Johnston Carmichael.

Kiltwalk is fully underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, enabling the Mighty Stride and Big Stroll to offer a reduced entry fee of just £20. Every penny raised by the walkers goes directly to the charities chosen by them, and they can claim Gift Aid, which can raise the totals by 25%. 

Time running out to book your stall at Volunteer Fair 2024

Stallholder bookings deadline is Wednesday 18th September at 5pm

Last few days remaining to book a stall at the the fair and you can purchase a stall via our online shop here or by clicking below.

stallholder bookings

The stallholder terms and conditions are available on our website, and additional resources including a risk assessment, exhibitors guide, promotional marketing can all be found to downloaded.
There is also a range of FAQs for any of those all important queries you may have.

What to expect

The Volunteer Recruitment Fair 2024 will showcase the wide range of ways that people can get involved in volunteering with organisations big and small, local and national, who serve a diverse range of communities and causes all coming together with the common aim to attract new volunteers.

Entry is FREE to the public, and more than a thousand potential volunteers are expected to visit and experience the diverse range of ways they can become involved.

Volunteering helps people truly participate in their communities, build new skills, get a taste of different working environments, create new friendships and boost individual confidence and wellbeing. Or simply just feel good that they have done something that made a difference.

When visitors need to sit down after taking in all of this new information there is a café by Space serving delicious food and drink.

  • When? Tuesday 1st October 2024 from 10am until 5.30pm.
  • Where? St Paul’s and St George’s Church on York Place. Click here to view on a map.

Our last fair helped hundreds of people in their search for volunteering opportunities, connecting them with the organisations that needed their help. 

For lots more info please visit our New dedicated Volunteer Recruitment Fair website edvolfair.org.uk

Here For You: Wellbeing at St. Columba’s

Learn to self-manage symptoms and improve your physical and emotional wellbeing at the same time.

Our Wellbeing Team is now running over 20 sessions, from techniques to help you manage your breathing to ‘A Wee Blether and Brew’, we can help you build confidence and take back control of your life.

Support is also available to family, friends, carers and those who are recently bereaved.

Find out more and book online today: https://bit.ly/SCHCwellbeing

Businesses face significant challenges in exporting goods to the EU, says Holyrood committee

Businesses in Scotland are experiencing “significant challenges” in exporting goods to the EU as a result of considerable non-tariff barriers which have arisen due to the post-Brexit UK-EU trading relationship, according to a new report by the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

The Committee is calling for the new UK Government to negotiate improvements to the trading relationship to better facilitate UK-EU trade.

The findings are part of a report focused on how trade in goods between the UK and EU is working under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The Committee also looked at the opportunities to improve the trading relationship.

The report highlights that non-tariff barriers have placed “considerable administrative, resource and cost pressures on businesses”, and “harmed exports”. Key amongst these barriers include the requirements for customs formalities and regulatory checks for all exports from the UK to the EU.

The Committee considers the challenges facing Scottish businesses to have been a consequence of leaving the EU as well as the type of Brexit which the TCA has delivered.

In order to address these trade barriers, the Committee identifies that there will be a need to seek closer regulatory alignment with the EU.  It says that the reduction of trade barriers will therefore depend on the extent of alignment the new UK Government is prepared to commit to in negotiations with the EU.

A key recommendation of the report is that the UK Government seek a veterinary agreement with the EU to significantly reduce border checks and the administrative burden on exports of agri-foods. The Committee say this could significantly reduce barriers to trade for many Scottish businesses.

Further recommendations to reduce barriers to trade include a mutual recognition agreement with the EU on conformity assessments, and the linkage of the respective UK and EU emissions trading schemes. In each case, the Committee say that greater regulatory alignment with the EU will likely be necessary.

The Committee also believe that the UK and Scottish governments need to provide greater support to businesses in managing the complexity of the current trading environment. In particular, it highlights that support is needed for businesses to comply with changing EU regulations, and to navigate the customs and regulatory requirements of trading with the EU.

The Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “It’s clear to us that the UK-EU trading relationship under the terms of the TCA has presented significant challenges for Scottish businesses exporting to the EU post-Brexit.

“These barriers to trading with the EU have resulted from the decision to leave the EU, but also from the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU.

“While the EU may noy be willing to substantially renegotiate the agreement, there are nevertheless significant opportunities to improve the trading relationship, including through our important recommendations such as the need for a veterinary agreement with the EU.”

The Convener added: “We heard overwhelming evidence that the non-tariff barriers resulting from the TCA have placed considerable administrative, resource and cost pressures on Scottish businesses, with many withdrawing from the EU market as a result.

“These challenges have been particularly acute for exporters of agri-food products, which are required to meet the EU’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, as well as SMEs, who have been less able to absorb the additional costs and regulatory burdens.

“Therefore, it’s clear that there is a need for the UK Government to negotiate improvements to the trading relationship to better facilitate UK-EU trade, including through the formal review of the TCA in 2026.”

Westminster: Select committee Chair election results announced

The Speaker has declared the results of the elections for select committee chairs.

Chair election results

 Select committees appointed under Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments):

Other specified select committees:

Where single nominations were received for the role of Chair, the Speaker declared their election, unopposed, in the Chamber on Monday. They are:

Running alongside the select committee elections, Bob Blackman MP was the sole nomination received for the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee and has been declared Chair.

The new chairs will take up their positions when the remaining members of the committee have been appointed by the House. 

Read the breakdown of results (pdf, 215KB

The House of Commons rose for conference recess on Thursday 12 September and will next sit on Monday 7 October at 2.30pm.

Meningitis Now concerned by sharp rise in meningitis cases

Meningitis Now, the UK’s leading meningitis charity, says it is concerned following the release of new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing a significant rise in cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) across England over the past 12 months.

According to the report, there were 396 confirmed cases of IMD during 2022/23, compared to 205 cases in 2021/22—an increase that includes 33 deaths.

The charity says the near doubling of cases of the disease in England in one year has brought the figures close to pre-pandemic levels.

In light of the rising cases, Meningitis Now is urging the public to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and to ensure they and their loved ones are protected by up-to-date vaccinations. The charity says early recognition and treatment are crucial in saving lives and preventing long-term complications.

The report, which presents laboratory-confirmed data, reveals the majority of the cases are caused by the MenB strain, which remains the most prevalent form of meningococcal disease.

These figures reveal that the highest number of cases of IMD were found among 15–19-year-olds and 45–65-year-olds. The next highest age groups affected were the over 65s, 20–24-year-olds and 25–44-year-olds.

Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive at Meningitis Now said, “While the decrease in cases during the pandemic provided some respite, this recent surge is a clear reminder that meningitis remains a critical health threat.

“We want to stress the importance of vigilance and vaccination. We urge everyone, particularly those in unvaccinated age groups, to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and to act swiftly if they suspect meningitis.”

Figures collated by the charity from all available data show the number of cases across the UK has more than doubled in a year, with 497 cases of IMD in 2022/23, compared to 242 cases in the previous year.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe form.

The disease can progress rapidly, leading to serious health complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, or even death if not treated promptly.

Common symptoms include a high fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures. Infants and young children, teenagers, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to meningitis.

Founded in 1986, Meningitis Now is the first and leading meningitis charity in the UK, driven by the vision of a future where no one loses their life to meningitis and where everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives. The charity’s work includes:

– Support: Providing dedicated support to individuals and families affected by meningitis, including financial aid, counselling, and peer support networks.

– Awareness: Conducting nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the signs, symptoms, and prevention of meningitis, ensuring that more people are informed and able to act quickly in the face of this disease.

– Research: Funding groundbreaking research to develop better vaccines, improve treatments, and ultimately find a cure for meningitis.

– Advocacy: Working closely with healthcare providers, government bodies, and communities to advocate for better meningitis prevention and treatment policies.

Dr Nutt added, “If someone is ill and getting worse, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical attention. Call 111 or your GP. In an emergency dial 999.”

For more information about meningitis or the work of Meningitis Now please visit our website at meningitisnow.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @meningitisnow.

Teenagers complete life skills and youth violence reduction pilot scheme

A pilot scheme aimed at giving young people in the East End of Glasgow life skills and reducing youth violence in the area has been hailed a success by those taking part.

Teenagers, aged between 13 and 16 years have been involved in a ‘10 week Create Your Own PAFS’ (Police, Ambulance, Fire Service) programme since July to build their confidence and develop the skills to make the best possible choices.

The event was co-ordinated by Constable Laura MacDonald who was inspired by a youth programme whilst serving in the fire service prior to joining Police Scotland. She also enlisted the help of colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to make it as informative as possible.

Working together, the services developed mock scenarios of real-life emergency situations, such as road traffic collisions, search and rescue, trauma, first aid and the use of defibrillators, and young people were invited to take on the various roles of blue light personnel to learn more about how each service responds.

The young people also completed elements of the three services fitness tests familiarising them with the fitness entry requirements.

Also included in the programme were inputs surrounding valuing diversity and inclusion, drug awareness, road safety, water safety, online safety and group discussions on relevant up to date topics.

Constable MacDonald said: “Our main aim was to break down the barriers between the teenagers and emergency services as often the only contact people have with us is in moments of crisis or when something has gone wrong.

“The pilot scheme was designed as a Tri-Service programme and shows what each service does and encourages the young people to take part in various time critical challenges which helps them understand how important it is to remain calm in a crisis whilst building their communication skills.

“The feedback from the young people taking part and their parents or guardians has been so encouraging and positive. They’ve said they all enjoyed the experience and felt it was successful in testing their social skills in unfamiliar environments. Participants have really had a confidence boost and some have made plans to join other similar volunteer groups.”

Those who took part received a certificate acknowledging their hard work and commitment to the programme and also a further certificate for CPR, which was one of the focal points during the 10-week programme.

Constable MacDonald concluded: “This has been a tremendous experience for me and my emergency service colleagues and I am grateful for the support of management within Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“I am so proud of everyone who took part and hope to be able to replicate this in the division again in the near future.”