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81-year-old co-founder embarks on a 25-mile walk from Leith to Tantallon Castle East Lothian, to celebrate the charity’s anniversary and raise £50,000 for neurodivergent children and families
On Saturday 2 August, Robin Dow, co-founder of the Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom), once again embraced his experience as a marathon enthusiast for a deeply personal and inspiring fundraising event to commemorate 25 years to the day since he and journalist and author – and Robin’s wife – Sophie Dow, founded the charity.
At 81 years old and recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Robin walked 25 miles (40 km) from Mindroom’s office in Leith to the dramatic cliffs of Tantallon Castle, East Lothian – a symbolic and powerful act to raise much-needed funds to support the charity he co-founded with Sophie in 2000, inspired by their daughter Annie, who lives with a unique and rare chromosome deletion (now informally known as “Annie’s syndrome”).
Robin Dow said: “I’m incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful wife and four caring and considerate children: Fiona, James, Annie and our Charity, Mindroom.Sophie and I brought Mindroom into the world on 2nd August 2000.
“During the past 25 years, it has developed from an infant with unknown potential to a mature entity with a heart, a soul and a spirit which has positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of neurodivergent children, families and those who support them.
“Mindroom is now an adult, personified by an excellent team of Trustees, run by a multitalented and dedicated staff team and funded by a broad base of statutory, trust, corporate and individual donors. My 25-mile walk, taking place on the day that the Charity was founded, is my thank you to everyone who has contributed to the upbringing of this amazing organisation.
“Advancing years and the big C mean that this is my last major endeavour on behalf of Mindroom and those whom we help. Please show your support by donating to a fundamentally important cause, while also spurring me on as I walk 1 mile for each of the 25 years of the life of Mindroom. And let’s hear it for the next 25!”
It seems a long time ago that Robin and Sophie sat at their kitchen table in Inveresk (East Lothian) and registered Mindroom with one vision: No Mind Left Behind. A quarter of a century later, that vision has flourished into an influential organisation now supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families across Scotland and beyond.
An Epic Walk
Robin set off from the Mindroom office at exactly 08:02am on 02 August (a nod to the official birthday of the charity) with the aim of reaching Tantallon Castle exactly 8 hours and 2 minutes later.
He was joined by family members, friends and supporters, and by Mindroom’s CEO, Alan Thornburrow, along the way.
The walk aims to raise a bold £50,000 – that’s £25,000 for each co-founder, another nod to the history of the charity, and they are well on the way to achieving their goal, thanks to some initial generous donations. Every donation will help Mindroom provide direct, life-changing support to neurodivergent children and young people who often also face serious mental health challenges.
Sophie added: “Robin’s unwavering dedication towards Mindroom’s vision of making sure that no mind is left behind, is yet again expressed in his inspirational actions and initiative, this time in a 25 mile walk.
“Let’s walk with him – in spirit or in person – all the way!”
Alan shared: “When I first met Robin and Sophie during the interview process to become CEO of Mindroom in December 2021, I was immediately taken with their passion, energy and vigour.
“I already knew Mindroom was a cause I wanted to work in service of, but I also knew this was a very special organisation whose co-founders were still so dedicated to realising the vision they set out with in 2000.
“Fast forward to the present day, our 25th anniversary, and Robin’s determination, courage and commitment are nothing short of remarkable. As fellow marathon runners, we both know what it is to suffer, but also to believe that we are capable and can overcome pain by continuing to move forward in pursuit of our goals. Robin’s walk is both inspiring and significant. How could I not take part!
“I’m honoured to be sharing some steps of the journey with him on his “Big Walk”, but even more so to have shared the last 3 years as CEO, working with two remarkable co-founders, an excellent Board and a highly respected and motivated team – and to continue working to address the fundamental injustice neurodivergent young people, adults and families face every day – we need your help!”
Mindroom also created some useful resources, which can be downloaded here:
Mindroom 25: Anniversary Menu – 25 powerful ways your donation will help change lives.
Mindroom 25: Introduction – A snapshot of the charity’s work, their impact, and the challenges faced by the 29 specialists who deliver support every day.
For donations to the charity and to sponsor Robin’s incredible initiative, please visit this link, including the opportunity to donate anonymously.
Every pound matters — no donation is too small, nor too substantial!
For more information about Mindroom and the work they do, please visit:
Three men, two aged 25 and one aged 26, have been arrested following the recovery of drugs and cash in the Newington area.
Around 11.15pm on Tuesday, 5 August, Summer City officers on foot patrol in the Lutton Place area observed three men acting suspiciously within a vehicle.
Following a search of the vehicle, a quantity of cocaine and £1,000 in cash were seized.
The two 25-year-old men have been released pending further enquiries. Enquiries are ongoing.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has thanked responders for their efforts to support communities affected by Storm Floris.
The significant and unseasonal storm had an impact particularly on power and transport infrastructure across the country, resulting in a major mobilisation of utility companies, national agencies and local authorities in response.
While transport infrastructure is getting back to near normal, hundreds of engineers have continued working hard through today to restore power to homes and businesses with the worst affected areas being Inverness, Dornoch and the Moray coast.
As at 6pm last night, Of the 71,000 properties which lost power 98% had now been re-connected. Due to the wide geographic spread of the storm and complex repairs, the majority of the remaining 1,600 properties still without electricity are expected to be connected later last night, with the remainder completed today (Thursday).
Electricity network operator SSEN continues to provide support to those affected, particularly those who are vulnerable, including with welfare vans and other welfare arrangements.
Ms Constance said: “I want to thank everyone in the public, private and third sector for the role they played in responding to Storm Floris. It was a significant and unseasonal storm with the worst affected areas covering a wide geographical spread.
“Engineers have worked tirelessly over the past two days to return power to the remaining affected properties as soon as possible.
“Energy companies continue to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.”
PENTLANDS MSP CONGRATULATES STUDENTS RECEIVING EXAM RESULTS
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has congratulated pupils across Edinburgh as they received their exam results.
This year’s results show a strong rise in attainment across Scotland’s schools and colleges, including for young people in the city.
More than 147,000 learners across the country received their results, with rates increasing at National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels compared to 2024 and pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The results also confirm that the poverty related attainment gap continues to narrow across all levels, demonstrating the SNP Government’s commitment to ensuring every young person can succeed, no matter their background.
Notably, a record 110,380 young people achieved vocational and technical awards in subjects such as construction, business, and hospitality, up over 22% on last year.
The SNP Government has committed to continuing its work to close the attainment gap and invest in a world-class education system that supports all learners, no matter their path.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “Yesterday’s results are a huge achievement for the young people of Edinburgh and across Scotland, and a testament to the hard work of students, teachers, parents, and carers. Congratulations.
“I’m particularly encouraged to see the attainment gap continuing to close. It’s clear that SNP investment in education, from early years through to school and beyond, is delivering for our communities.
“The growth in vocational qualifications is especially welcome. It shows that our young people are gaining real skills for work and life, supported by a modern, inclusive curriculum that offers pathways for everyone, not just the traditional academic route.
“There’s more to do, but this year’s results prove that the SNP is making progress where it matters – in classrooms, colleges, and communities. I couldn’t be prouder of what our learners are achieving across the city.”
You better beer-lieve that residents at Strachan House care home in Blackhall were more than hoppy to raise a glass, and sample some top craft ales, bitters and lagers, in celebration of International Beer Day.
The Activities team at Strachan House set up ‘The Rolling Bar’ drinks trolley for an exciting mobile bar experience and brought in a range of brew-tiful British and International ales for residents to sample.
Residents and their visitors enjoyed a beer tasting in the comfort of their home whilst they sampled the different craft ales, bitters and lagers.
Fran Fisher, General Manager at the home, said: “We love socialising and celebrating all kind of events, it is wonderful to be able to invite family and friends to come and join us for occasions like this. International Beer Day is a day that the residents really enjoy, who doesn’t love a cold beer on a hot summer’s day!”
Tom Brown, a resident at Strachan House, commented: “I didn’t realise we had so many wonderful local ales, it was fantastic to be able to enjoy a cold beer in the garden with my friends.
“We had a really special time and the beers were great!”
A varied life enrichment programme keeps Strachan House residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
The care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals.
Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, and Dementia care for short and long-term stays.
NEW REFERRAL GUIDELINES FOR SUSPECTED GUIDELINES PUBLISHED
Clinicians will be able to refer patients with symptoms which might indicate cancer for tests more quickly following the introduction of new revised guidelines, the Scottish government has announced.
For the first time, the guidelines include referral criteria for people with non-specific but concerning symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, nausea or weight loss – helping ensure more patients can be assessed earlier, even when their symptoms don’t point clearly to a single type of cancer.
The updated Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRGs) for Suspected Cancer provide primary care clinicians with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidance to help identify patients with signs and symptoms suspicious of cancer who require urgent referral for specialist assessment.
Visiting the Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s recently opened Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS), Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are treating more cancer patients now than ever before, and these guidelines are a vital tool in helping GPs and primary care teams identify symptoms that may indicate cancer and make swift referrals to specialist services.
“For the first time, we now have nationally agreed guidance to support clinicians in referring patients with non-specific symptoms, which is a significant step forward in our mission to detect cancer earlier.
“I’m particularly pleased to mark this milestone at NHS Forth Valley, where Scotland’s newest Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service is already delivering faster answers for patients. This is a clear example of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the right person is on the right pathway at the right time.”
Dr Phil Hodkinson, Co-Clinical Lead of the Centre for Sustainable Delivery’s Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis Team and Chair of the SRG Review, said: “The clinical review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for Suspected Cancer was a collective effort from the clinical community across NHS Scotland.
“We all want to find cancer as early as possible for our patients when it’s easier to treat and even cure. These guidelines, based on latest available evidence, will help support these endeavours by ensuring the right patient is put on the right pathway at the right time.”
Cancer Research UK’s head of strategic evidence, Samantha Harrison, said: “We put people affected by cancer at the heart of everything we do so welcomed the opportunity to support this key part of the Cancer Action plan for Scotland.
“By reviewing and sharing insights, we’ve helped ensure health care professionals have the evidence they need to spot cancer earlier and refer patients quickly. Early diagnosis of cancer is vital. The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the more options there are for treating it, and the better people’s outcomes are likely to be.”
The review of the guidelines was led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), in partnership with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Cancer Research UK. It involved extensive clinical engagement and a detailed assessment of the latest international evidence and Scottish cancer data.
The updated SRGs are now available to all healthcare professionals and supported by educational materials, with the aim of ensuring consistent use across the country.
A national award-winning sensory garden designed by Leith resident Luke Coleman is set to be installed in Edinburgh’s Victoria Park, after being relocated from Yorkshire.
The garden, inspired by the history of the Scottish isles and its connections with the Vikings, will be installed on the site of one of two disused bowling greens returned to the Council by Edinburgh Leisure in 2023. Feedback from extensive local consultation carried out last year showed that residents were keen to see a sensory garden introduced to the area, alongside other options.
The garden has been dismantled and transported back to Edinburgh thanks to £20k previously secured and a fundraising drive is now underway to raise the additional £30k needed to reconstruct and embed Drakkar’s Drift in Edinburgh as a public asset. This will include expanding the design of the garden to meet the needs of the site and introducing paths, seating, and other features.
Councillor Margaret Graham said:“Luke’s Gold Medal success is a celebration of local creativity meeting international horticultural excellence. Bringing Drakkar’s Drift to Edinburgh would enrich our parks and unite community, nature and culture.
“We’ve been listening to residents, many of whom told us they’d like to see sensory planting on the site of the park’s old bowling green. As well as bringing this beautiful garden to the site, this project would enhance and develop it for community use. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the site to support the campaign if they can.”
Designer Luke Coleman creates eco-friendly garden designs that harmonise with nature, where communities and ecosystems can thrive. Since the design of the garden began, he has envisioned that it would return to Edinburgh for residents to enjoy.
Luke said:“It’s been a dream to bring Drakkar’s Drift to life at the RHS Show, and now, seeing it find a permanent home in Edinburgh is something truly special.
“This project is about more than design; it’s about community, connection, and creating a legacy. I’m incredibly grateful for the support so far, and I hope people will get behind the fundraiser to help us rebuild the garden for everyone to enjoy.”
Amongst the garden’s elements are four mature trees, 1,500 herbaceous perennials, 13.5 tonnes of mossy boulders and living sculptures that support biodiversity.
Drakkar’s Drift draws inspiration from the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led Luke to deeper research into the island’s history.
The Norse word ‘Drakkar’ refers to Viking ships displaying a dragon head at their front and so reminds of the arrival of the Vikings in the northern Scottish isles over a thousand years ago.
How You Can Help:
Donate uniform items via our online wish list, Give Today. https://givetoday.co.uk/edinburghschooluniformbank/
Donate funds and we will do the shopping for you. https://edinburghuniform.org/donate/
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