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Fire Service changes recruitment process

THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is changing how it recruits wholetime firefighters to further enhance the safety of communities.

The Service will move away from national intakes which traditionally took place over a four-week period, resulting in up to 6,000 applications from across Scotland.

Recruitment will now be open year-round with shifting regional focuses through the East, North and West of the country aimed at meeting local workforce needs.

The change will also ensure more regular intakes of new firefighters who are not only trained to protect their communities but work to prevent risk from occurring.

This comes as the Service prepares to open recruitment  for wholetime firefighters, with a focus on the North and East of Scotland, later this month.

Liz Barnes is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of People and Organisational Development. She said: “We are putting firefighter recruitment back into the communities we protect, with localised recruitment efforts based entirely on local needs.

“Rather than recruiting nationally and selecting candidates from a larger pool of applicants, we will now be targeting our recruitment at where it is needed most.

“This means that our firefighters will be recruited from the area, train in the area, and work in the area they applied for –  and by moving to open-recruitment, we can ensure a steady influx of trainees into the Service who will go on to protect their communities.”

While recruitment will remain open year-round, applicants will prioritised for the region that is currently recruiting – applicants should not apply if they are not prepared to work in the recruiting area.

Anyone who wishes to apply for the role will be able to see which area the Service is currently recruiting for online, through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website or social media, or on the national recruitment platform MyJobScotland.

Director Barnes (above) continued: “It is absolutely vital that anyone who wishes to apply does so at the right time. For example, if we are currently recruiting in the North of Scotland, you should not apply if you are living in Glasgow and unwilling to work in the North of the country.

“Instead, take the time to work on your application, and make sure that it is the best it can be ahead of recruitment opening for the area in which you wish to work.”

Selected applicants will undergo a series of online psychometric tests designed to test their suitability for the role of a firefighter.

Candidates will then attend regional practical selection and selection centres.

More details on the opening of wholetime recruitment will be announced this week.

Director Barnes added: “This is an incredible opportunity for people to work in and protect the communities that they know and love.”

City centre hotel partners with Invisible Cities to offer guests a bespoke tour of Edinburgh

Two Edinburgh businesses have come together to offer visitors an authentic tour of the capital from guides who truly know the stories of the city. 

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is exclusively partnering with social enterprise Invisible Cities to offer guests a bespoke tour of Edinburgh from one of their specially trained guides, all of who have experienced homelessness in the city. 

The team behind Invisible Cities has created specially crafted tours for hotel guests, starting at Charlotte Square and making their way through the iconic sights of Edinburgh. Along the way guides will share some lesser known stories, about how the city was built and why the names were chosen for some of the city’s most historical streets. 

Tours are conducted with physical distancing in mind and in line with the latest local guidelines meaning that same household, support bubbles or small groups travelling together in a bubble will be able to join.

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Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that is dedicated to training people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in the city where they live. Through the unique training that Invisible Cities provides, the guides are empowered to create their own tours highlighting famous landmarks but more importantly sharing their own inspiring stories and experiences. 

Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests, and caring for the environment. We believe that the communities and neighbourhoods we inhabit are the fabric of who we are.

Kieran Quinn, General Manager at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, said: “In the last few months the tourism industry has gone through an incredibly difficult time but it has been heart-warming to see our community in Edinburgh come together in support of one another.

“The partnership with Invisible Cities feels like the perfect way to support an extremely important enterprise and also welcome guests back to Edinburgh in a meaningful way.” 

Kieran Quinn added: “Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests and caring for the environment. We believe that our communities and neighbourhoods are the fabric of who we are.

“Now more than ever, people are looking for deeper connections when travelling Invisible Cities has created tours specifically for our guests that are not only a true insider’s guide to Auld Reekie but are also a chance to support an innovative business who are striving to change people’s lives for the better.” 

Zakia Moulaoui, Founder of Invisible Cities, said: “We are lucky enough to be able to offer visitors a truly special walking tour of the city from unique voices who have experienced the best and worst of the streets where they live.

“At the moment it feels important to regain a sense of community after everything that the tourism industry has gone through during the pandemic. Working with Kimpton Charlotte Square is an incredible opportunity for two celebrated businesses to come together and champion each other as well as the inspirational tour guides we have the pleasure to work alongside.”

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is one of four Kimpton Hotels in the UK, including Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Kimpton Fitzroy London and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Kimpton was recently named the fifth best company to work for on the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, the company’s 10th year on the highly coveted list.

Double rooms at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel start from £180.

Majority of Edinburgh residents concerned over single-use items and packaging

More than four fifths of people in the Edinburgh area are concerned about the volume of single-use items and packaging used across the country and would support regulations that limit their use, according to a survey commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland.

With an estimated 300 million plastic straws, 276 million pieces of plastic cutlery, 50 million plastic plates and 66 million polystyrene food containers used annually in Scotland¹, the poll carried out by YouGov found that 83% of respondents in the Lothians described themselves as being very or fairly concerned about the amount of items designed to be used only once.

It also revealed that 84% support the introduction of regulations in Scotland to reduce the use of single-use items and packaging.

The survey coincides with a public consultation over plans to restrict some of the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic items in Scotland, including plastic cutlery and plastic straws.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on the introduction of new legislation to restrict the supply of single-use plastic plates, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, polystyrene food and drink containers, beverage stirrers, plastic balloon sticks and products made from oxo-degradable plastics. Reusable alternatives would continue to be widely available.

These are the most common items found on European beaches and were identified in the EU Single Plastics Directive as contributing the majority share of litter found in the marine environment. The Marine Conservation Society’s 2019 Beach Clean reported an average 492 items of litter per 100 metres of beach in Scotland, with the majority being single-use plastic or polystyrene.

According to Scottish Government figures around four fifths (80%) of Scotland’s carbon footprint comes from all the goods, materials and services which we produce, use and often throw out after minimal use².

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Whilst plastic can be incredibly useful and beneficial in a number of areas, it also can cause significant damage to our environment if it isn’t disposed of properly.

“Scots are increasingly concerned about the impacts of disposable single-use items and can see how it is impacting on the country’s natural environment. 

“Most of us don’t ‘need’ many of these single-use items being consulted on. By choosing reusables over disposables we can still have the benefit without the needless waste and carbon emissions associated with throwaway items.”

Part of the consultation process is to understand how access can be maintained for people who require items that perform a vital function that cannot be easily replaced. For example, straws may be required for medical use or to support independent living.

For Scotland as a whole, breaking down the responses by age showed those aged 18-24 were most concerned (86%) about the volume of single-use items, followed by 55+ (78%), 45-54 (76%), 25-34 (74%) and 35-44 (73%).

Support for regulations was highest amongst the 55+ age group (80%), followed by 45-54 (79%), 18-24 and 35-44 (78%), with 25-34 lowest (77%).

It is expected that any legislation would be introduced by 2021.

For further details or to provide your views, please visit https://zws.scot/singleuseconsultation

MPs call for starter payments to provide financial support during wait for first Universal Credit payment

A starter payment should be made to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time to ensure that everyone has enough money for basics such as food and heating during the wait for their initial monthly payment, the Work and Pensions Committee says.

The Committee’s report on Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment finds that the current wait of at least five weeks causes difficulties for some households. While the existing system of Advance pay-ments for those in need can provide a valuable financial lifeline, the Committee is concerned that some people are unable to afford the required repayments.

The Committee warns that this leaves people with a difficult choice: five weeks with no income, or the risk of debt and hardship later.

The report concludes that the introduction of a new payment – equivalent to three weeks of the standard allowance – would be a simple way of ensuring that new claimants had the money they needed for basic living essentials. For people moving from existing benefits, DWP should make the move seamless wherever possible—and pay a starter payment in other cases.

Advances should still be available for people who need further support to get by, but they should be renamed ‘new claim loans’ to make clear that they will need to be repaid. The DWP should also recognise that a request for a loan is a clear indication that someone is struggling and offer support as early as possible.

Reflecting evidence from Sir Iain Duncan Smith, among others, the Committee has also called for changes to the way that historic tax credit is clawed back from people when they move to Universal Credit—and for DWP’s debt collection to follow best practice in the private sector.

In addition, the Committee calls on the Government to make permanent the £20 per week increase in the standard UC allowance announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rt Hon Stephen Timms, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: “There is a growing body of evidence that moving to Universal Credit leaves many reliant on food banks, falling seriously behind with their rent, and even experiencing increased levels of psychological distress.

“The Government’s response is that there is no proof that Universal Credit—and in particular the wait for a first payment—is the direct cause of those difficulties. So DWP needs to commission research, and quickly, to find out what lies behind these deeply worrying findings.

“Our social security system should not be leaving people without the money they need for food and heating.

“In the meantime, the Government must face up to the fact that its current system of Advance loans simply isn’t working. They leave people facing the toughest of choices: go without income for at least five weeks, or have repayments subtracted from their future UC payments—which are already barely enough to get by on.

“We cannot understand why people who are already claiming benefits need to wait for at least five weeks when they move to Universal Credit—especially when nothing in their lives has changed. Their move should be seamless.

“For people claiming benefits for the first time, or people who’ve faced a significant change in their circumstances, the Government should provide starter payments. Doing so would both cut down on the need for Advance loans and ensure that nobody is forced into debt just to be able to afford to eat and keep a roof over their heads.

“UC is a highly automated system. That has been a real strength over the last few months, with the huge influx of new claims caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But it can also be a major weakness, leaving people without the tailored support they need, and Ministers unable to make the changes they want to see.

“There is much the Government can do without completely dismantling the UC system: we hope that our proposals, taken together, offer practical solutions for making Universal Credit work for everyone who needs it.”

Key report findings and recommendations

Starter payments

  • All first-time claimants of UC should receive a starter payment equivalent to three weeks of the Standard Allowance.
  • The payment should be made two weeks after the initial claim and only once the claimant’s identity has been verified, to guard against fraud.
  • People claiming legacy benefits should be moved seamlessly to UC, but where they cannot be they should receive a starter payment instead.

The impact of the wait

  • The Committee received evidence from both organisations and individuals which suggested that a significant proportion of people face financial difficulties during the wait for a first UC payment.
  • Citizens Advice said that half the people it helps during the wait period are ‘unable to keep up with bills, rent or are forced to go without the essentials such as food and heating’.
  • The National Audit Office said that the wait for a first payment can exacerbate claimants’ debt and financial difficulties.
  • DWP must carry out research to develop its understanding of the possible impact of UC, particularly the wait for the first payment, on the use of food banks; on claimants’ levels of rent arrears; and on levels of psychological distress.

Advance payments

  • Even with starter payments, the Committee anticipates some people claiming will still need to ask for an Advance (a loan to tide them over during the wait).
  • The DWP risks misleading claimants, and damaging its own credibility, if it insists on denying the obvious fact that these Advances are interest free loans.
  • Advances should be renamed ‘new claim loans’ so it is clear that they need to be repaid.
  • The Department should offer support to anyone requesting a substantial Advance, as it would be a clear indication that someone is struggling with the transition to UC.

Tax credit debt

  • Repayments of tax credit overpayments can compound hardship for people who may already be struggling.
  • The Committee recommends that recovery of tax credit debt from people claiming UC should begin only when the claimant has repaid their Advance (if they have taken one out).
  • Repayments of remaining debts should be capped at 10% of UC standard allowance and written off entirely if they have not been pursued for more than six years.

Universal Support and Help to Claim

  • The DWP must invest in expanding and developing its Help to Claim service so it is closer to its original plans for Universal Support.
  • The service must go beyond assisting with an initial claim and should include debt advice, support for people struggling with repaying Advances and support for people with complex needs.

The Work Capability Assessment and support for disabled people

  • The Committee finds it troubling that, because of the time taken to complete a Work Capability Assessment, some disabled people and people with health conditions must wait much longer than five weeks to receive their full UC entitlement.
  • Four months, on average, is too long to wait and the DWP must work to speed up the process.

Coronavirus measures

  • In its report DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Committee welcomed the decision to increase the standard allowance in UC and the basic element in Working Tax Credit by £20 per week.
  • The Government should now extend the increase past April 2021 and make the rise permanent.

New fund to support local shopping

A new £1 million ‘Scotland Loves Local’ fund will provide grants of between £500 and £5,000 to hundreds of projects to promote town centre and online businesses.

The funding aims to support small scale improvements that will help motivate people to shop, eat and relax within their community whilst ensuring public health safety.

Grants can be put towards providing safe shopping information for residents and tourists, the installation of public health infrastructure such as protective screens, physical distancing markers, hand sanitising equipment and PPE.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs. The Scotland Loves Local campaign encourages people to think how they can safely support this.

“This fund will help initiatives supporting businesses, such as projects to encourage safe shopping, business and leisure opportunities, promoting and advertising local providers of online shopping or enhancing visitor appeal.

“We all have a part to play in Scotland’s economic recovery and can do so, whilst we look out for one another and follow the FACTS guidance.”

Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership Phil Prentice said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for local communities – a chance to get the funding that will unlock some brilliant creativity.

“We’ve seen throughout the Scotland Loves Local campaign that people all over the country want to back their local towns and places – we’re looking forward to seeing some brilliant ideas take shape. Our campaign is highlighting that money spent locally stays local for longer. This new fund will be a real boost for communities across the country.”

The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government, and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Applications to the fund open today, Sunday October 18th and close on Friday November 25th.

Streetwear brand make their mark following Business Gateway support

Two Midlothian based entrepreneurs have successfully launched a new clothing brand following support from Business Gateway.

Launched in April 2020, MC Apparel is a fashion clothing brand created by Midlothian locals Michael Surgeon and Liam Chisholm. The team identified the opportunity and were motivated to launch their second business after their first paused trading due to COVID-19. 

Working closely with Business Gateway, MC Apparel received a variety of start-up support services including support to create a business plan, marketing and networking opportunities, as well as accessing online resources such as webinars and advertising tutorials. 

This guidance from Business Gateway ensured the team were able to adapt their business model to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic and increase margins by shifting from early drop-shipping to stock holding, this enabled  MC Apparel to improve quality control and reduce delivery timescales for customers.

Michael Surgeon, Founder of MC Apparel, said: “We gained a wide range of support from Business Gateway and this meant the process of launching our new business went smoothly.

“ The team at Business Gateway Midlothian have been very supportive during this period and the online workshops we attended were invaluable, helping us to develop a digital marketing strategy that allowed us to reach our target audiences even with the challenges of lockdown.

“I would recommend anyone who is starting out in business to get in touch with Business Gateway. They are always there when you need them and if they don’t have the answer, they can signpost you to the right person or resource.”

When COVID-19 restrictions ease, the team at MC Apparel are looking forward to organising photoshoots to showcase the clothing range and have plans to collaborate with local fashion brands to give away 20 t-shirts to support a local charity.

Annie Watt, Business Gateway Lead Officer, said: “It’s impressive to see how Michael and Liam have adapted to lockdown, identifying an opportunity to launch a new business and taking it forward. 

“They have been incredibly proactive, accessing a range of Business Gateway resources, attending workshops and arranging one-to-one sessions via Zoom to receive guidance and support on development plans.

“Recent research by Business Gateway revealed that despite the challenges, COVID-19 has not hampered peoples’ appetite to start a business, and Michael and Liam’s experience is a testament to this.

“While it is a difficult trading environment, I would encourage anyone with an idea for a new business to get in touch and see how our resources, advice and support can help get it off the ground.”

For further information about how Business Gateway can help you start your business, please visit https://www.bgateway.com/resources/help-for-start-ups-the-support-available-for-your-start-up

Morrisons goes glitter-free

Morrisons has removed glitter entirely from its own-brand ranges of greetings cards, gift wrap, seasonal items and horticulture in stores.

This means all Morrisons cards, crackers, wrapping paper, present bags, flowers, plants and wreaths are now 100 per cent glitter-free. Glitter is made from tiny particles of plastic and is an ecological hazard if it becomes dispersed on land, rivers and oceans – where it takes hundreds of years to degrade.

The move extends to non-seasonal as well as seasonal lines meaning Morrisons shoppers can shop more sustainably all year round. Soluble inks, foil and paper reliefs will instead be used to decorate Morrisons FSC certified paper cards, wrap and bags to give them a festive feel.

Morrisons has also removed all plastic toys from its Christmas crackers, which will be completely plastic-free this year.

All contents – such as games and gifts – will now be made out of paper, metal or wood and are designed to be kept and reused. The cracker shells will be made from FSC accredited cardboard and decorated with a metallic basked ink – which means they can be recycled at kerbside, along with their packaging.

In a further move to make Christmas more sustainable, Morrisons has also reduced the amount of plastic packaging on cards and decorations. The majority of Morrisons cards will come boxed in recyclable cardboard and 100 per cent of packaging on cards and decorations can be easily recycled by local authorities.

The supermarket is also introducing a wide range of ‘no plastic’ felt, hessian and wooden Christmas decorations.

The move to ban glitter and reduce plastic in Christmas ranges means that Morrisons will be removing more than 50 tonnes of plastic from its shelves during the festive period, and more across non-seasonal lines all year round.

Christine Bryce, Morrisons Home Director. said: “Every time a cracker is pulled, or a card is opened, plastics have been used…but just the once. So, we’ve taken glitter and plastic out of our festive range this year – so that our customers can enjoy their festivities without worrying about the environmental impact.

“This means that we’re now 100 per cent glitter free across all our own brand ranges which is an important step in the fight against plastic pollution.”


Morrisons glitter-free Christmas cards are in store now. Crackers, decorations, wrapping paper and gift bags will be appearing on shelves throughout October and November.

In May, Morrisons increased its target to reduce own-brand plastic packaging from 25% to 50% by 2025.

For more details on Morrisons commitments around plastic visit:  https://www.morrisons-corporate.com/cr/corporate-responsibility/.

Shortlist unveiled for Scotland’s top councillor awards

THREE Edinburgh councillors are among over 100 nominations received for 3rd annual LGIU Scotland & CCLA Cllr Awards

Local Government Iinformation Unit (LGIU) Scotland and CCLA are proud to unveil the shortlist for the 2020 Cllr Awards, showcasing the achievements of councillors across Scotland for the third year running. 

The Cllr Awards are the only national ceremony to celebrate the vital contributions of our councillors. So often, their hard work goes unrecognised. These Awards are a uniquely important way to highlight what local councillors do for their communities, especially in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Competition was extremely tight again this year with a record number of nominations (over 100) received across the eight categories that celebrate the varied work of councillors.

Some of the awards up for grabs include Covid-19 Hero and Collaborative Working (new for 2020) alongside the coveted Leader of the Year and New Councillor of the Year awards. The full shortlist is included below.

Three Edinburgh councillors have been short-listed this year. The city’s transport convener, Liberton/Gilmerton SNP Cllr Lesley Macinnes, is in the running for Covid-19 Hero Award (above, right), while Leith Walk Green Councillor Susan Rae has been nominated in the Urban Community Champion category.

And last but not least veteran Craigleith Conservative councillor Iain Whyte is nominated in the Lifetime Contribution Category.

The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. Due to the ongoing health crisis, this year’s ceremony will take place virtually on Tuesday 24th November with special speakers and guests. 

This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented this country with a set of challenges that few could have predicted. However, councillors up and down the country have risen to these challenges and stepped up to plate for their communities.

“From delivering food parcels to vulnerable residents and sourcing PPE for frontline workers to finding temporary accommodation for the homeless, local government has kept the country safe and moving. 

“It is for this reason that we are particularly proud to unveil the shortlist for this year’s Cllr Awards. Their achievements showcase the best of local government at a time when the country faces one of the greatest hardships of our lifetime.

“We would like to congratulate all of those councillors shortlisted and look forward to revealing the winners on the 24th of November.” 

2020 Cllr Awards Shortlist

Champion for Education

Champion for Education: for councillors who have performed outstanding work in the field of education

Cllr David MacDonald – East Renfrewshire Council

Cllr Dr Soryia Siddique – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Fay Sinclair – Fife Council

Collaborative Working

Collaborative Working: to celebrate a group of councillors who have worked effectively together to undertake a new project, implement a new process or better-scrutinise council proceedings

Cllr Laura Brennan-Whitefield – South Ayrshire Council (joint)

Cllr Siobhian Brown – South Ayrshire Council (joint)

Covid-19 Hero

Covid-19 Hero: to celebrate a councillor who has championed their local community during the pandemic

Bailie Philip Braat – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Elspeth Kerr – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Rosemary Liewald – Fife Council

Cllr Lesley Macinnes – The City of Edinburgh Council

Cllr Eva Murray – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Laura Murtagh – Falkirk Council

Leader of the Year

Leader of the Year: to celebrate the work of an exceptional Council Leader

Cllr Jenny Laing – Aberdeen City Council

Cllr Murray Lyle – Perth and Kinross Council

Cllr Douglas Reid – East Ayrshire Council

Lifetime Contribution

Lifetime Contribution: for councillors who have gone above and beyond for their communities over an extended period of time

Cllr Paul Carey – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Eileen Logan – South Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Willie Sawers – Dundee City Council

Cllr Iain Whyte – The City of Edinburgh Council

New Councillor of the Year

New Councillor of the Year: for recently elected councillors who are already making a noticeable impact in their communities in a short time

Cllr Julie Bell – Angus Council

Cllr Siobhian Brown – South Ayrshire Council

Cllr Kenneth Duffy – North Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Mark Horsham – South Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Kim Long – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Eva Murray – Glasgow City Council

Rural Community Champion

Rural Community Champion: for councillors in predominantly rural constituencies who have gone above and beyond in supporting their communities

Cllr Stephen Burns – Renfrewshire Council

Cllr Ian Ferguson – Fife Council

Cllr Glen Reid – Aberdeenshire Council

Cllr David Watson – South Lanarkshire Council

Urban Community Champion

Urban Community Champion: for councillors in predominantly urban constituencies who have gone above and beyond in supporting their communities

Cllr Bill Cormie – Aberdeen City Council

Cllr Kim Long – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Susan Rae – The City of Edinburgh Council

Cllr Lynne Short – Dundee City Council

Past winners of the Awards can be found here.

Rules for the nomination, shortlisting and selection process can be found here.

Follow #CllrAwards for all updates.

Amazon Edinburgh makes donations to local charities for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The team from the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh has donated a total of £1,500 worth of toys and pyjamas to Cancer & Leukemia Advice & Support for Parents (CCLASP) and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold campaign during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Amazon Goes Gold is Amazon’s annual campaign to raise awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to partnering with hospitals and research organisations around the world, Amazon also wraps a selection of its delivery fleet in gold ribbons during the month of September to further increase awareness across its network. The Amazon Goes Gold campaign was launched in 2017. 

Valerie Simpson, from CCLASP, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many of the team at the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh working in their pyjamas in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness month!

“I’d like to thank Rachel and the team for raising awareness through #AmazonGoesGold and for providing us with a donation, which will be greatly appreciated by everyone at CCLASP. We could hardly believe it when the team showed up with all the pyjamas and toys – the children will love them.” 

While we’re all facing a global pandemic, more than 300,000 children will also be diagnosed with pediatric cancer this year, and it’s the number one non-communicable disease causing the death of children around the world. 

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with CCLASP and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital for Amazon Goes Gold,” said Rachel Seaward-Simpson, Site Leader at the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh.

“We want patients and kids everywhere affected by childhood cancer to imagine the future innovators in themselves. It’s an honour to make a difference for such an important cause that affects families around the world.” 

This donation will support CCLASP and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital in their missions to provide practical and emotional support to families affected by childhood cancer.

Police appeal following assault and robbery of woman in Leith

Detectives have released images of a man who may have information that will assist their investigation into the assault and robbery of a woman in Leith.

The robbery took place at the junction of Henderson Street and Yardheads between 1.30am and 2am in the early hours of Sunday morning (13 September).

Police officers believe that the man in the images may be able to help with their ongoing enquiries.

He is described being slim to medium build, 30-40 years old, dark hair which is short at the back and sides and slightly longer on top. He is clean shaven and was wearing a black jacket with a different shade of black collar, white trousers and brown shoes.

Detective Constable Oliver Healy of Gayfield CID said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing into the assault and robbery and officers are currently carrying out enquiries in the local area, and checking CCTV footage to gather more information.

“I would urge anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and saw anything suspicious to contact us as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1241 of Sunday, 13 September, 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Apologies about the quality of the images – I will try to get better ones today – Ed.