Category: North Edinburgh News

Standard Life support for MS Therapy Centre

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy Centre in Edinburgh has received a donation of five desktop computers and a laptop from Standard Life. The Edinburgh-based finance company’s gift has come as a welcome boost to the Centre, which cares for those are affected by MS in Edinburgh, Fife, The Lothians and The Borders.

Carole Macartney, chair of the MS Therapy Centre said: “We are delighted at the generosity of Standard Life.  As part of their regular updating programme, they have kindly donated some of their I.T. equipment and office furniture which should help to make our dedicated staff and volunteers’ jobs easier. There is a fair amount of admin to be done at the Centre and our current PCs are getting on a bit. The new equipment means we can work faster and without fear of equipment breaking down.

“Crucially, the computers will help us to keep our website up-to-date, which is vital to pass on information to our regular visitors, as well as the wider community.  Having the laptop will also assist in taking the MS Therapy Centre out into the local area. This really is a lifeline, ensuring we can continue to remain in contact with people across the region who live with MS and who rely on us to be there.”

It is estimated that there are around 2300 people in the Lothians who live with Multiple Sclerosis. The MS Therapy Centre costs £180,000 to run each  year,  with the majority of this money coming from fundraising and charitable donations.

Extended opening for Stockbridge Market

With the Christmas countdown well under way, Stockbridge Market could be just the place to pick up those quirky and unusual personal gifts you just won’t find in your high street stores.

And there will be more opportunities to pick up these bargains as Stockbridge market extends it’s opening times over the festive period. In the run up to Christmas the Market will open on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 as well as on Sunday 23rd December, and the Market will again be open all weekend from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 for those pre-Hogmanay purchases.

It’s a lovely bright morning – why not call in at Stockbridge Market today? The market’s open from 10 – 5pm.

Oceans of support for Canine Partners

An Information Day held at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre on Saturday 10 November has raised £171.33 for Canine Partners, a charity that provides specially trained assistance dogs to people with physical disabilities.

Visitors to the shopping centre visited a Canine Partners stand where they could pick up information and take part in a raffle. Staffing the stand were Canine Partners staff, puppies in training and people with disabilities who have a canine partner.

One of those present was Sally Hyder from Edinburgh, Olympic torch bearer and author of best-selling book Finding Harmony, which describes her life before and after she received her canine partner Harmony.

Sally was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990 but has continually strived to be an active mother to her three children, despite being in continual pain.  She said: “Thanks to Harmony I get out every day and have made new friends amongst the dog-walking community. I do my own washing and shopping.  Harmony has now learnt to put things in the washing machine rather than purely taking them out.   I have the energy to do things.  I drop things I don’t have to ask a stranger or my family to pick up after me. She even goes for help if I happen to fall out of my wheelchair.”

Dale Gormley, Canine Partners community fundraiser for Scotland, said: “Thank you to Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre for letting us have a stand and to all those who visited us.  We are striving to spread the word as much as possible about how our dogs can change the lives of people with disabilities in Scotland.  We rely heavily on volunteers and fundraisers, so if you think you can help us out do please get in touch.”

If you feel you can help Canine Partners in Scotland through fundraising, volunteering, taking on your own challenge, saving your used stamps and much more please call 0845 4811915 or visit www.caninepartners.org.uk.

Another year, another record for Children in Need

BBC’s Children in Need appeal has raised over £26.7 million – and as that figure is certain to rise as more donations come in it seems sure that this year’s event will produce another record total.

The British public has dug deep to support the BBC appeal once again, despite the crisis caused by the Jimmy Saville revelations and continued economic gloom.

Speaking at the start of the show, veteran presenter Sir Terry Wogan said: “As you know by now, we are going to be asking you to help us support disadvantaged children all over the UK. You have been amazing so many times before and we humbly hope that we can count on your help once more. We know that children are vulnerable. In the news in recent weeks there has been an awful reminder of just how true that can be. We have been supporting victims all of all kinds of abuse, including sexual abuse, for many years now – we will continue to do so. We also support children in a wide range of circumstances, and they all have something in common – they all need your help.”

David Ramsden, chief executive of BBC Children in Need said: “Tonight’s total is phenomenal. It is amazing that people across the UK have once again come together to raise such a massive sum. Thank you so much for helping to change thousands of young lives across the UK.”

It seems everybody wanted to do their bit for Children in Need this year – these local students certainly played their part!

Me? I sat in a bath filled to the brim with processed peas on Friday evening. Mind you, I do that most weekends anyway …

Disabled man assaulted and robbed in his Broughton Road home

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled man was assaulted and robbed at his home in Broughton Road. The incident happened at around 12.50pm on Thursday (15 November). 

The 39-year-old, who is blind and requires the use of crutches and a wheelchair, received a knock at his door and went to answer. When he opened the door a male forced his way in and presented a sharp object before robbing the man of his possessions. A struggle ensued during which time the victim suffered a cut to his face and was knocked to the ground before the male made off from the property.

Police are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

The suspect is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build. He had a local accent, is believed to be in his mid twenties or early thirties and smelled strongly of stale body odour, smoke and alcohol.

Detective Sergeant Dave Pinkney said: “This was a despicable and opportunistic theft, which targeted a vulnerable man who was virtually unable to defend himself. Despite his visual impairment, the victim has provided us with a fairly detailed description of the suspect and we are carrying out enquiries within the local community to identify him. Anyone who was in the Broughton Road area on Wednesday afternoon and remembers seeing anything suspicious, or who can help us trace the man responsible for this crime is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131

or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Search is on for Edinburgh’s finest citizen

The search is on for the sixth recipient of the Edinburgh Award!

First launched in 2007, the Award is a way for Edinburgh citizens to pay a lasting tribute to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the city through their achievements.

The previous recipients are Ian Rankin, JK Rowling, Sir Chris Hoy, George Kerr CBE and Professor Peter Higgs, each of whom have their handprints cast in Caithness stone and placed in the quadrangle in front of the City Chambers.

 Nominations are sought annually from communities, businesses and individuals across Edinburgh and the winner is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.

Those nominating an individual must answer the following two questions:1. Why do you think this person should receive the Edinburgh Award?

2. How has this person made a positive impact on the city of Edinburgh in recent years?

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “The Edinburgh Award enables the people of Edinburgh to pay a lasting tribute to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the city through their work or achievements in recent years.

“We already have five fantastic winners in Ian Rankin, JK Rowling, Sir Chris Hoy, George Kerr and Peter Higgs – whoever joins them will become the sixth member of a very prestigious club.”

Nominations – which can be completed online – must be received no later than Monday 3 December 2012.

The winner of the 2012 Edinburgh Award will be selected by a judging panel chaired by the Lord Provost, with representatives from all political groups on the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

The winner will then be presented with an engraved Loving Cup at a ceremony early next year to be attended by award winners and young achievers from across the city. Thereafter, they will have a mould of their handprints taken, which will then be, which will then be engraved – and immortalised – on a flagstone outside the City Chambers.

Ways to nominate:

1) Complete and submit the form online

2) Download the form and drop it off at the City Chambers or send it to:

The Edinburgh Award The Lord Provost’s Office

The City of Edinburgh Council City Chambers

High Street Edinburgh

EH1 1YJ

Completed nomination forms must be received by 3 December 2012.

Who would you nominate and why? Let us know!