Day: June 24, 2026

Specsavers equip Scotland fans with World Cup eye drops and sick note ahead of Brazil match

SCOTLAND fans are being helped through another late night of football as Specsavers, the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, equip supporters with free eye drops and a pre-written sick note.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland side continue their World Cup campaign with an 11pm kick-off against Brazil on Wednesday night.

Following on from 2am and 11pm starts against Haiti and Morocco, it’ll be another late night for bleary eyed Scotland fans hoping the team can make it through the group stage for the first time.

However, this time, much to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls’ delight, there is no bank holiday scheduled for the day after to help Scotland fans support their team to the fullest.

Thankfully, Specsavers have stepped up to the plate to help, specially producing eye drops that fans can pick up for free from any of their 86 Scottish stores – helping to keep their eyes in tip-top condition for an evening of staring at the TV and, hopefully, partying.

And if Scotland were to do enough to make it through and the celebrations go on a little longer than expected, Specsavers have also produced a sick note for people looking to avoid work on Thursday morning.

Fans can access the sick note on Specsavers’ social media channels so they can inform their boss of their ‘very important eye test’ which means they won’t be back in work until after lunch.

Specsavers Scottish Divisional Chair, Laura Baird, says: ‘Nobody in Scotland will want to miss the Brazil match as we look to make history with our first successful major tournament group stage.

‘With the finals taking place across the pond, managing the time difference has been a challenge for fans watching at home, but luckily Specsavers are here to help.

‘We hope Scotland fans are watching on with joy and fresh eyes, with the option of a Thursday morning lie in up their sleeves as well!’

Specsavers renewed its sponsorship deal with the Scottish FA in 2024, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner and extending one of the longest-running partnerships in sport.

St Mark’s Park cyclist: Can you help?

Around 6.50am on Tuesday, 23 June, 2026 police received a report of a man having taken unwell whilst on a bicycle within St Marks Park, Warriston Road.

Emergency services attended and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death which police are not treating as suspicious.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who was within the park at this time, especially the two passers-by who assisted until paramedics arrived, to contact them on telephone number 101 quoting incident number 0556 of 23 June, 2026.

First Homes Fund opens

First time buyers encouraged to apply

Up to 2,000 households could be supported to make their step on to the property ladder in the first 100 days of this Government through the First Homes Fund.

The first phase of the shared-equity scheme, which offers first-time buyers a £10,000 contribution towards a deposit, is now open. Over the course of this Parliament it is expected around 50,000 households will benefit from the £500 million scheme.

The deposit contribution can made used to buy any property with a value of up to £300,000.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We know how hard it is to get that first foot on the property ladder and the opening of this fund is a direct response to stories I have heard from so many people who are keen to buy their first home.

“The First Homes Fund is part of a broader programme of action, supported by a record £4.9 billion investment in affordable housing over the next four years.

“We promised to act to make life easier for many and fairer for all and, through the First Homes Fund, we are delivering on that promise.”

Homes for Scotland (HFS) Chief Executive Jane Wood said: “Reintroducing the First Home Fund was a key HFS ask ahead of the election, so we welcome this important step from the Scottish Government.

“Supporting First Time Buyers is essential, not only in helping to address Scotland’s existing housing need, with 693,000 households affected, but also in stimulating wider socio-economic growth across the country by unlocking investment confidence across the sector, particularly in areas where development viability can be more marginal and help increasing delivery of housing of all tenures where it is needed most.

“HFS is ready to help support the efficient delivery of the Fund so that all stakeholders, particularly those young people buying their first home, are ready and prepared for the launch of the scheme.”