Total-ly delighted!

£84,000 will establish a Community Leadership College

STV Appeal_Total Craigroyston_Jan_2015_aa_01_MG_4823 (1)

The STV Appeal is the fund that just keeps on giving to projects in North Edinburgh – Total Craigroyston became the latest local beneficiary when it received almost £84,000 from the charity programme.

STV CEO and trustee of the STV Appeal Rob Woodward and Chris Wilson managing director, Retail and Private Banking, RBS, presented the cheque for £83, 980 to Total Craigroyston manager Christine Mackay yesterday.

The STV Appeal raised £2.6million in 2014 – £305,689 of this was raised by RBS branches.

Total Craigroyston is an initiative set up by the Edinburgh Partnership to improve outcomes for children and families in the neighbourhood around Craigroyston Community High School. The project is doing this by taking a three pronged approach –

  • strengthening services that are open to all like health, early years and schools;
  • strengthening support for families;
  • supporting local people to organise their own activities.

Now, working in partnership with charities Circle Scotland and the Link-up Muirhouse project, an idea has been developed to establish a Community Leadership College. This will help Total Craigroyston expand leadership capability amongst local residents.

Julie Crawford, Muirhouse Link Up development worker, said: “We are really excited about the opportunity that the STV Appeal has given us to turn our idea into reality. This project will help us work with local people to build on the excellent local leadership that exists at the moment and take it to the next level.”

Chris Wilson, managing director, Retail and Private Banking, RBS, said: “It’s fantastic to see first-hand the work of projects like Total Craigroyston and understand the real impact that the money from the STV Appeal will have on them. RBS is proud to support the STV Appeal and help change the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.”

The STV Appeal is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and young people living in poverty in Scotland. Across the country, 220,000 children live in poverty and figures from the Campaign to End Child Poverty show that in the city of Edinburgh it’s actually 21.1% of children – more than one in five.

Total Craigroyston is just one of the projects the STV Appeal is supporting in North Edinburgh – Pilton Youth & Childrens Project, Changeworks and Fresh Start have all received grants from the funder.

Since launch in 2011, the STV Appeal has raised over £8.2 million with 297 big and small grants distributed to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 37,000 children. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes; create opportunities for training and employability; and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.

Rob Woodward, STV CEO and trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “The money donated to the STV Appeal remains in Scotland and will help bring about a positive change to the lives of vulnerable children and young people on our doorstep.  With the help of the extraordinary fundraising efforts taking place in communities across the country we have raised an incredible £2.6m in 2014 allowing us to make grants to 297 projects.  We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported the Appeal.”

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Saturday sales

A reminder of two local fundraisers taking place this weekend:

There’s a table top sale at  Old Kirk & Muirhouse Church in Pennywell Gardens tomorrow from 10am – 1pm. Tables still available, £5. Come along and grab a bargain!

Also tomorrow, LifeCare in Cheyne Street is the place to be to pick up some early Christmas gifts – they are holding a Craft Fair from 10.30 – 4.30pm, and there’s soup, rolls and snacks too.

Happy bargain hunting!

 

Car Boot sale anyone?

Who isn’t interested in a car boot sale and this one is for a good cause. All sales of cakes and refreshments and pitch proceeds to go to Project Zambia (details can be found at www.justgiving.com/ProjectZambia2014)

 

Project Zambia is run by St Andrews Student Services. During summer students will be travelling to Kazemba, Chongwe for four weeks teaching literacy and music in a primary school. For these children, many of whom are single or double orphans, education represents the major route out of poverty.

 

Venue: Holy Cross Church Hall, Quality Street (opposite Tesco), Davidsons Mains

Date: Saturday 10th May 2014

Time: 2.00-4.00pm

 

Enjoy!

Twenty walk for NEN

walkers1Around twenty hardy walkers – and two dugs! – took part in the NEN Walkathon on Saturday. The small but enthusiastic band braved sweltering temperatures to raise funds for the community newspaper.

The walk took off from Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus and visited a number of community projects – some of whom opened especially to support the walk – including Pilton Community Health Project, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Muirhouse Library and North Edinburgh Arts.

Zumba warmup at Granton Campus
Zumba warmup at Granton Campus

It’s not yet known how much was raised by the charity walkers, but although it’s unlikely to be enough to produce an August edition your support – and the support of those who assisted on the day – is greatly appreciated.

Welcome refreshments at PCHP
Welcome refreshments at PCHP

Thanking the walkers before they set off, NEN Chairman Martin Hinds said that the board will be seeking commitment from the council to ensure the community newspaper’s survival (report to follow).

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Time to step out – it’s Walkathon Day!

CreweTollWalkWell the big day has final arrived and it seems the weather gods have smiled down on the NEN Walkathon – it’s not quite so hot this morning and there’s also a gentle breeze.

So walkers, the final check:

Sun hat?

Sunglasses?

Water?

Sunscreen?

Regal King Size?

Attending Betty McVay’s belated birthday party last night was perhaps not the ideal pre-walk preparation for me, but good luck everyone – and thanks for supporting your community newspaper!

SeaWalk

 

Weather warning for Walkathon

Participants in tonorrow’s NEN Walkathon are being urged to put safety first as the recent spell of hot weather shows no sign of cooling down. Walkers should carry and drink plenty of water, wear loose, light-coloured clothes and stay out of the sun as much as possible – especially in the fierce heat if the midday sun.

Temperatures over the weekend are expected to remain high, with many places expected to reach 26 or 27 degrees centigrade – that’s into the eighties in Fahrenheit – so here are some timely tips for our Walkathon walkers:

Seek Out Shade

Direct sun can make the temperature feel up to 15 degrees hotter! Check your area to see if there are parks with trails through the trees.

Expose Your Skin

Sweat can evaporate more easily from bare arms and legs – wear plenty of sunscreen, even under your shirt.

Just Add Water

Wet your shirt, and you’ll have on-the-spot air-conditioning!

Ice Your Thirst

Freeze a half-full water bottle, then top it off as you head out. Take sips regularly while you’re walking. Six to eight ounces of water every 15 minutes should be enough. As an extra precaution against dehydration, weigh yourself before your walk and again afterward. If you’ve dropped a pound or two, drink up. You’ve lost fluid that is important to your body’s cooling system.

Try Sports Drinks

If you just can’t get yourself to drink more water on your summer jaunts, then why not try a sports drink? They taste good and supply less than half the calories of fruit juices. They’re absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, so you can walk farther and avoid post-exercise fatigue. If you don’t like the taste of a sports drink, you can also diluter your favorite fruit juice with water and take it along with you.

Cover Your Head

Wear a breathable hat (not a visor—it will only protect your face, not your head), and wet that too.

Switch Shoes

For warm-weather workouts, you need lightweight, ventilated walking shoes and socks that wick away sweat. Mesh is cooler than leather and dries faster when your feet sweat. Or try a walking sandal.

Reduce Friction

Be aware of areas where skin rubs against skin—between your toes, thighs, and under your arms—and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or use Runner’s Lube, a nonstaining cream made from lanolin, zinc oxide, and benzocaine. It can be found in many sporting goods stores.

Listen to Your Body

Your body will tell you when you can push yourself, and when it’s time to coast. If you develop a headache or become dizzy or weak, stop exercising and head for a cool place. Drink plenty of cool fluids, and rest.

Walkathon Route Map 3

NEN Walkathon

Saturday 20 July

Leaves Edinburgh College Granton Campus 10.30am

Come and join us!

NewhavenWalk

Walkathon update

walkaton

Almost there, people – just two days until the BIG DAY!

The latest itenerary for Saturday is as follows:

9.30 am – 9.45 am
Volunteers and Stewards arrive at Granton Campus to set up e.g Registration Desk/Agree Roles and Routes/Receive Maps and Hi Vis Vest etc.
9.45 am – 10.30 am
Registration
Walkers register and choose which route to walk
Opportunity to find out about community facilities at the College e.g. Hair & Beauty/Spa/Restaurant etc.
10.05 -10.10am
Welcome speech from Chair of NEN Board
10.10 – 10.15am
Show of support speech from Chair of Forth Neighbourhood Partnership
10.15 – 10.25am
Walkers warm up with Edinburgh Zumba Boys
10.30am
Walkers join their chosen groups (Stewards and Volunteers will be wearing Hi Vis vests). and Walk Starts
10.30 – 10.45am
Tally up numbers registered and phone to advise participating centres of expected numbers.
10.45 – 11.30am
Prepare photo opportunity area to welcome first walkers back to The Hub
11.30 –  2.00pm
Walkers expected back
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NEN Walkathon: safety in the sun advice

WPNCwalkDuring this heatwave it’s important to listen to expert health advice, particularly if you are taking part in the NEN Walkathon this Saturday:

NHS Lothian summer sun advice:

‘Sunshine in Scotland may be a rarity, but too much exposure can do as much damage to your skin as it would if you were abroad.

Wherver you are enjoying the sun it is important to protect your skin. Sun lotions come with various levels of sun protection factors (SPFs) and it is important to make sure you use a strength appropriate for your skin. There are tailored varieties availabel for use during sport or whiel swimming, and it is best to reapply sun lotion throughout the day for maximum protection.

If sunburn does occur, place a cool, damp sponge on the affected areas then apply aftersun to soothe and help heal the skin. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help to cool you down and will replace water lost due to sweating’.

There’s still time to sign up to the NEN Walkathon – entry form below:

2013 WALKATHON SPONSOR FORM

Is this the hottest Edinburgh Trades Fortnight on record?