Category: North Edinburgh News

Join us in the London Marathon and help beat meningitis

Dear Editor

We’d like to invite any of your readers who have been successful in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon, announced this week, to join our team and stride out to help beat meningitis.

By running for Meningitis Now you’ll be helping us to fight meningitis in the UK and move us ever nearer to our vision of a future where no one dies from the disease and everyone affected gets the support they need.

Sadly, meningitis and septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK each year and kill more under-5s than any other infectious disease. Help us fight back by funding research, raising awareness and supporting survivors.

Those who haven’t been successful in the ballot can also apply to us for one of our guaranteed places in the Marathon – visit www.meningitisnow.org/vmlm

There’s a £100 registration fee and successful applicants will need to pledge to raise £2,000.

Our friendly events team is on hand to support your training and fundraising and, as well as a running top, we provide a post-race reception, including a sports massage and lunch.

It’s a day not to miss. Why not join our #teamtangerine today? Find out more by emailing me at kirstyo@meningitisnow.org

Yours faithfully

Kirsty Owen-Hayward,

Events Fundraising Manager,

Meningitis Now,

Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 3TJ

College students to cook up a storm in global culinary challenge

Two Edinburgh College Professional Cookery and Hospitality students are set for a trip of a lifetime as they prepare to represent Europe at a global culinary competition. Continue reading College students to cook up a storm in global culinary challenge

Mummy’s Boy: Driving home the message about motorcycle crime

‘Mummy’s Boy’ was premiered at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The short film is a collaboration between several organisations including Creative Scotland, Transport Scotland, Screen Education Edinburgh, Police Scotland Edinburgh Division and students from Broughton, Holyrood and Drummond High Schools.

The students played a very active part in making the film which delivers a message to young people about the potential consequences of becoming involved in crime.

PC Greig Stephen hosted the event and there were speeches from Superintendent Richard Thomas, Sean Young from Screen Education Edinburgh and Louise Lothian who lost her 14-year-old nephew Brad Williamson in June 2016 after a motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision.

Louise gave a first-hand account of the impact of losing a loved one in tragic circumstances and at such a young age.
Superintendent Thomas said: “Tackling all forms of motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour across Edinburgh remains one of our top priorities and through Operation Soteria, we continue to conduct enforcement activity.
“We are working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council deploying officers on off road motorcycles, and have pioneered new methods of crime detection, such as the use of DNA tagging spray to identify those involved in these offences and bring them to justice.

“We have also worked hard with third sector organisation Aid & Abet and with people personally affected by the tragic consequences of recent incidents to impress on young people the real dangers of dangerous motor cycle riding.

“We know from experience that prevention is better than cure and this very impactful film provides a hard-hitting insight into the impact and devastation that can be caused if you are involved in the theft or criminal use of a motorcycle.

“Mummy’s Boy may be a short-film, but its message is very poignant and clear and I wish to thank all of the young people involved, as well as Sean Young from Screen Education Edinburgh, for their dedication and hard work in pulling this altogether.

“The production will be of great use to not only officers in Edinburgh, but across the country, where motorcycle crime is an area of concern for local communities.”

The students were all involved in the production of the film both in front of, and behind, the camera. They hope to reach out to other young people to think twice before making a decision which could have fatal consequences.

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said: “I have long been a supporter of the creative and collaborative approach taken by Police Scotland to address motorcycle related anti-social behaviour in the north of the city.

“By working with the local youth organisations and seeking to positively engage with the young people, we have seen significant results – not just in the crime statistics but, even more importantly, in a shift in attitudes to this kind of reckless behaviour from the young people themselves.

“‘Mummy’s Boy’ is a wonderful example of this approach and will leave an educational legacy which will help other communities all over Scotland follow the example of the young people in my constituency.”

Please take 5 minutes to watch ‘Mummy’s Boy’ on Vimeo: 
https://vimeo.com/359020419

Scottish students gain STEM Skills Experience with TCS’ Digital Explorers

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation, announced that it engaged more than 900 Scottish pupils from over 20 schools in Lothians, Central, Strathclyde and Fife, in its renowned Digital Explorers Programme.

At the event, students aged 11-18, were joined by a host of volunteers from TCS and Lloyds Banking Group, as well as special guest, Minister for Public Finance & Digital Economy and MSP, Kate Forbes. Continue reading Scottish students gain STEM Skills Experience with TCS’ Digital Explorers

MSPs seek views on animal welfare and wildlife protection laws

Are maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences severe enough? Would increased penalties be a deterrent? Should the protection of service animals be increased? What about compensation for owners? Continue reading MSPs seek views on animal welfare and wildlife protection laws