Tyres screeched, engines roared, and confidence soared as a group of visually impaired veterans, all supported by Sight Scotland Veterans, recently took to the track at Driftland in Fife, accomplishing something many thought impossible following visual impairment.
The adrenaline-fuelled day was made possible by disability driving charity Speed Of Sight and Sigma Capital Group & Simple Life Homes, who generously donated the experience. The event gave veterans the opportunity to get behind the wheel in a safe, controlled environment, boosting confidence, independence and wellbeing.
Among the veterans’ taking part was Kim McFarlane, who served with Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Army Medical Corps.
She comments: “I lost my sight following a diabetic stroke, and when I was first introduced to Sight Scotland Veterans two years ago, I had no idea what support was available to me. Since then, I have made great friends, the staff have been amazing, and I’ve learned to do things I never thought I would be able to do.
“When I heard about the driving experience, I was excited to try something completely different. As someone who is visually impaired and had never driven before, it’s not something I ever imagined would be possible. Getting behind the wheel was absolutely brilliant.
“The first time around I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the second run I was really looking forward to it and could not wait to get back out on the track. It was such an adrenaline rush. The instructor kept encouraging me to pick up a bit more speed, and I felt like Nigel Mansell out there. It was brilliant.
“Opportunities like this show that being visually impaired does not mean you have to stop trying new things. With the right support, you can achieve things you never thought were possible.”
Derek Donaldson, who has diabetic retinopathy, who began his military career as an infantry soldier and later became a transport driver, adds: “As a former truck driver, being behind the wheel was a huge part of my life, so losing my sight and having to stop driving was incredibly difficult. Getting the chance to drive again at Driftland was something I never thought I’d experience.
“I’ve got a new car sitting at home that I’ll never be able to drive because of my sight loss, so being back behind the wheel today meant a great deal to me. With the instructor guiding me through the corners and encouraging me to pick up speed, I felt safe, confident, I just loved it and couldn’t really believe what I was doing. It was an incredible feeling.”
Derek adds: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Sight Scotland Veterans for making experiences like this possible. Everything the charity does is about improving people’s lives and helping them live independently and confidently.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities they give to me and so many other veterans. Without their support, I would never have had the chance to get back behind the wheel again.”
Niamh Waldron, Social Impact & Sustainability Director at Sigma Capital Group & Simple Life Homes, who donated the driving experience to Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We were delighted to offer Sight Scotland Veterans an exclusive track day as part of our 2026 programme and are thrilled to hear how much the veterans enjoyed the experience.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sight Scotland Veterans and Speed of Sight, and to giving many more veterans the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving in the years ahead.”
Saturday, 3 October 2026will see all twelve Utilita Energy Hubs across the UK come together to host National Football Rebooted Day 2026 – a nationwide community event designed to collect pre-loved football boots and make the beautiful game more accessible for families and young people.
Hosted simultaneously at Utilita Energy Hubs in Leith (Edinburgh), Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Sheffield, Derby, Leicester, West Bromwich, Luton, Shirley (Southampton), Gosport, and Newport (Isle of Wight), the event will encourage members of the public to donate unwanted football boots that can be refurbished and rehomed through the Football Rebooted initiative.
Club mascots will be on hand at each high street Hub to welcome fans and pose for selfies, while Football Rebooted Ambassador David James MBE will lead the national celebrations from Derby. Meanwhile, Southampton FC legend Francis Benali will visit the Shirley Hub in Southampton, and former Middlesbrough FC players David Wheater and Craig Hignett, alongside current women’s player Megan Borthwick, will make a special appearance at the Hartlepool Hub.
Visitors to the Leith Energy Hub in Edinburgh will be welcomed by a Hibs Club Mascot and invited to donate football boots via a dedicated Football Rebooted collection point. In return, donors will have the opportunity to enter prize draws featuring a range of rewards, including Hibernian FC football tickets, signed merchandise, an energy-efficient Air Fryer, and other spot prizes.
The day will also feature a range of interactive football-themed activities and competitions, including games such as ‘Guess the Footballer’ and the ‘Lace Race’, giving participants of all ages even more opportunities to win prizes while supporting a worthwhile cause.
Natasha Baillie, Leith’s Utilita Energy Hub Supervisor, said: “Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy the benefits of sport, no matter their background or financial situation. Football Rebooted Day is a fantastic opportunity for people across the UK to support their communities through a simple act of generosity.
“By donating a pair of football boots, supporters can help keep young players active in the game they love, while giving quality equipment a second life instead of sending it to landfill.”
Since its launch, Football Rebooted has helped thousands of pairs of football boots find a new home, reducing waste and helping remove one of the financial barriers that can prevent children and young people from participating in sport.
Members of the public are encouraged to bring along football boots in good, reusable condition and help kick-start a new journey for boots that might otherwise remain unused at home. All donated boots will be re-distributed to local football club foundations.
Event Details
The National Football Rebooted Day forms part of Utilita’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities through its nationwide network of Energy Hubs, which provide free advice, guidance and practical support to thousands of people every year.
Almost 3 million matured Child Trust Fund accounts have been claimed or transferred into an Individual Savings Account since September 2020.
Around 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds yet to be claimed, worth on average £2,310.
Young people can find their Child Trust Fund quickly and for free using the GOV.UK locator tool.
Almost 3 million accounts held by 18 to 24 year-olds have either been claimed or transferred into an Individual Savings Account, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals as it encourages the thousands who don’t know where their savings are to find them today.
Latest figures show around 827,000 young adults have a matured Child Trust Fund account waiting to be claimed, which could be worth on average £2,310.
Child Trust Funds are long term, tax-free savings accounts set up for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 with an initial government deposit of at least £250.
Young people can take control of their account at 16 and when the account matures at 18, can decide what they want to do with it – withdraw it to spend, leave it where it is or re-invest it.
Anna, 18 from London, has already claimed her Child Trust Fund:“It was really straightforward. Nationwide kept me updated the whole way through and explained how to access the money. I’m heading off to university soon, and I honestly had no idea how expensive things like saucepans, plates and all the other essentials would be, so this support has been really helpful.”
Matteo, 18 from London, has decided to leave his savings in the account:“I’ve just turned 18 and I’m looking at all my options before deciding what to do with my Child Trust Fund.
£My parents have topped it up over the years, so it’s grown into a really useful amount of money. I don’t want to rush into anything or waste it, so I’m taking the time to work out what’s best for me.”
If young people, or their parents or guardians, know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly.
If not, they can locate it via the online Child Trust Fund locator tool. Almost 500,000 young people used the GOV.UK locator tool to find their Child Trust Fund in the nine months to August this year.
A Child Trust Fund Taskforce has been established to bring together Government and industry to help more young people access the savings that belong to them and to reduce the number of unclaimed accounts.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, who leads the Taskforce, said: “The oldest matured accounts are now more than six years old and some young people may not know they have savings waiting for them.
“The Taskforce has been set up to help those young people who don’t know about their savings. If you’re unsure where your account is, you can find, quickly, easily and for free using the GOV.UK locator tool.”
It takes about 5 minutes to submit a request to find a Child Trust Fund through the online tool using the young person’s National Insurance number and date of birth and, for most, less than 3 weeks to hear back.
For those who don’t have their National Insurance number to hand, they can quickly and easily download it from the HMRC app and keep it in their digital wallet for whenever it’s needed.
The savings accounts are not held by government but are held in banks, building societies or other saving providers. Find out more about Child Trust Funds at GOV.UK.
As part of its famous Polar Gallery exhibition, Dynamic Earth has launched a new exhibit in conjunction with Edinburgh start-up Earthwave, who have recently come on board as a Gallery Engagement Partner.
The exhibit, entitled ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’, gives visitors, for the first time in the UK, real-time information on the sad reality of how quickly many glaciers are disappearing across the world.
The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and marked the 21st March as World Day for Glaciers. ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’ is part of a global campaign to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the economic, social and environmental impacts if they disappear completely.
The ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’ signpost represents a real glacier and shows the year scientists expect it could mostly disappear if the world continues with its 2026 climate policies.
Earthwave is a key provider of glacial data structures and satellite tracking of glaciers. Their high-resolution satellite observational data and mass balance calculations are required to accurately predict and visualise when these glaciers will disappear.
Dynamic Earth’s ‘Goodbye Glaciers?’ signpost includes a QR code linking to the global Signposts – Goodbye Glaciers!? website, featuring photos and three-dimensional projections that predict the future under 1.5°C and 2.7°C global warming.
“We are very proud to partner with Dynamic Earth. The message is clear, we must remain on target with ambitious emissions reductions if we are going to preserve glacier volume globally,” said Dr Livia Jakob, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Earthwave.
Helen Chomczuk, Marketing and Fundraising Director, added: “Our data mapping shows how global warming affects glaciers and that they will vanish in the coming decades. We’re delighted to be able to showcase this important work to Dynamic Earth visitors.
“The Signposts – Goodbye Glaciers!? exhibit is also produced in partnership with a range of academic institutions, including the University of Innsbruck, further strengthening Dynamic Earth’s close relationship with science and bringing the latest information to Edinburgh.
“Developing partnerships with the scientific community is a vital part of how we keep Dynamic Earth’s finger on the pulse of the latest global developments. As a world-class science centre and planetarium, we are committed to ensuring that everyone leaves us feeling better informed and inspired, and showing how scientists play a crucial role in helping us protect the natural world.
“Our Polar Gallery has always been a focal point at Dynamic Earth, featuring a real, touchable iceberg and an immersive sensory experience of the Earth’s extreme polar regions – and Earthwave’s work is a perfect example of the vital role that scientists play in helping us better understand these environments.
Pic Greg Macvean 22/09/2026
WWF – It’s In Our Nature campaign handover to the First Minister at Bute House
A selection of thousands of messages from people across Scotland sharing their hopes for the future of nature have been handed over to the First Minister inside a giant papier-mâché oyster.
WWF Scotland with a group of young nature supporters used the sculpture of the European flat oyster to handover the messages gathered from members of the public during the organisation’s recent ‘It’s in Our Nature’ campaign.
The messages call for stronger leadership and investment in nature recovery.
Among the wishes were calls for:
More safe havens for wildlife
Healthier rivers and seas
Planting of more native trees
Greater protection for endangered species
A greener, healthier future for children and communities
Pic Greg Macvean 22/09/2026
WWF – It’s In Our Nature campaign handover to the First Minister at Bute House
Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: “These messages are proof of the growing desire for our government to take more seriously the need to invest in Scotland’s natural world. They show that people across the country care deeply about nature, how nature helps their mental wellbeing and that they want to see it flourish once again.
“Whether it’s seeing more wildlife in local communities, protecting our rivers and seas, or ensuring future generations can experience the wonders of Scotland’s natural heritage, the message is clear: people want to see action.”
First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s young climate and nature champions are at the forefront of calling for global climate and nature action, so it was great to see their passion firsthand and hear about the important work done by WWF Scotland to preserve and protect our natural environment.
“The climate emergency is already causing significant damage to nature and habitats, and tackling it is a Scottish Government priority. We will continue to do all we can to address the biodiversity crisis and help create a more sustainable world.”
The handover comes at a critical time for Scotland’s nature following a summer of extreme weather and wildfires, and 1 in 9 species already at risk of extinction.
Scotland’s natural ecosystems – including its peatlands, native woodlands, rivers, and coastal habitats – also play a vital role in capturing carbon, reducing flood risks, and building resilience against extreme weather.
Pic Greg Macvean 22/09/2026
WWF – It’s In Our Nature campaign handover to the First Minister at Bute House
Catherine from Central Scotland and Lothian’s West wrote:
“Nature is about all life on this planet and we must protect it. Scotland is well placed to do more from planting trees in the right environment to cleaning up our rivers and reducing pollution. The clock is ticking, we can’t delay.”
Stuart from Glasgow added:
“I have always felt that the Scots have a long history of stewardship of the land, and that is even more important today. If we do not take care of Scotland’s nature in a sustainable and regenerative way we risk losing that which is most important to future generations, the enjoyment of nature.”
Marion from the Highlands said:
“We all need and depend on nature for our mental and physical health. It underlies food production, clean water and clean air. Our future and that of our children depends on our protecting nature now.”
More than £300 million has been paid out to people on a low income through Help to Save.
Eligibility for Help to Save will be expanded from 2028, so more people than ever before can benefit from the government savings scheme.
More than 44,500 people on a low income in Scotland have opened a Help to Save account.
With more than £300 million having been paid out in bonus payments, and thousands more people set to be eligible for an account through the Help to Save scheme, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is kicking off UK Savings Week by reminding people who can benefit.
Help to Save is a government savings scheme offering low-income earners a 50% bonus on whatever they can save. Between £1 and £50 can be saved each month with an extra 50 pence added for every £1 saved.
Accounts can be open for up to 4 years, and people can save up to a maximum of £2,400, resulting in up to £1,200 government savings bonus being paid straight into their bank accounts. Bonus payments are made at the end of the second and fourth years and are based on how much has been saved.
In 2028, the earning criteria will be removed for people with caring responsibilities. The scheme will be open to all Universal Credit claimants, resulting in an additional 1.5 million households becoming eligible.
Latest figures show 44,950 Help to Save accounts have been opened in Scotland since September 2018, with savers depositing a total of £45.5 million into their savings pots.
Statistics also show that 94% of those who have opened a Help to Save account save the maximum amount of £50 each month.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said: “Help to Save is a really beneficial scheme that offers a 50% government bonus on whatever you are able to save. We want more eligible people to take advantage of it.“
The scheme will also be more accessible as it will be delivered through a multi-provider model, instead of just one, so banks, building societies and credit unions will be able to offer the scheme directly to their eligible customers.
Peter Tyler, Director of Personal Banking at UK Finance, said: “Expanding Help to Save and enabling more financial services providers to offer the scheme directly is a positive step towards helping people build financial resilience.
“The scheme provides eligible customers with a great opportunity and incentives to develop regular savings habits.”
Money can be paid into Help to Save accounts via debit card, standing order or bank transfer.
In the last year, nearly 24,000 people have chosen to open a Help to Save account via the HMRC app where they can keep track of deposits and view bonus payments.
It takes just a few minutes to check eligibility and open an account online on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.
Money can be withdrawn at any time, although this may affect the 50% bonus payments.
First time a multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) trial has reported positive results in a neurological condition
Diabetes drug metformin removed from trial, but innovative design means more drugs can be added in 2027
Researcher warns of significant risk of taking unlicensed drugs outside the safety of a clinical trial
(Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Interim results from a world-first multiple sclerosis (MS) trial have found that an existing medication, alpha-lipoic acid (also known as ALA), is showing early promise as a potential treatment to slow progression in MS.
Researchers from the Queen Square MS Centre and Innovative Clinical Trials Unit (InCTU) at University College London (UCL) revealed that the drug could have potential to become the first neuroprotective treatment in MS. But stress people should not attempt to acquire alpha-lipoic acid outside a clinical trial, as further research is needed to fully understand its efficacy – and particularly its safety – in MS.
MS can be debilitating, exhausting, and unpredictable, and symptoms range from chronic fatigue and bladder and bowel problems to mobility difficulties. While there are over a dozen treatments for those living with relapsing MS, tens of thousands with the progressive form* desperately need treatments to stop their MS getting worse. Those drugs that do exist only work on one aspect of the condition – the immune system. They don’t stop the gradual nerve damage that leads to long-term disability. Finding ways to protect nerves from damage is key.
The innovative progressive MS trial, Octopus, uses a multi-arm multi-stage (MAMS) design, which means it can test potential new treatments up to three times faster than conventional trials.
Supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre: UCLH, Octopus has provided a blueprint for similar trials across neurological conditions, from motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease to psychosis. It has been testing two drugs at once – a high dose of alpha-lipoic acid and diabetes drug, metformin – and comparing each one against a placebo.
Alpha-lipoic acid will now continue to the second stage of the trial. Data from both stages will then be combined to provide a definitive phase 3 result. However, metformin did not demonstrate sufficient promise to be taken forward. This will now be removed from the trial, with all participants from that arm leaving the trial and coming off the drug in the coming weeks.
More than 850 people have joined the trial at hospitals across the UK, including Scotland, as well as in Australia1. Now the team are seeking hundreds more people living with primary or secondary progressive MS to sign up.
Thanks to this positive result, in the coming years Octopus will become the world’s largest ever trial in progressive MS. The trial design means other drugs could be added as soon as early 2027.
Margaret Anderson, 57, lives in North Edinburgh and joined the Octopus trial after it launched in the city. She was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS about 20 years ago and now lives with the secondary progressive form of the condition. Her symptoms include fatigue, spasms, sensory pain, and mobility issues, and she uses crutches to help her walk.
After finding out she would be continuing on the trial, Margaret said: “It makes me feel optimistic for the future knowing there’s research like the Octopus trial happening. There must have been some good signs with the drug they’ve carried on so there’s hope there.
“I heard about the trial from my neurologist, and I wanted to take part because us patients have to do our bit as well. It might not benefit me but if it can benefit people with MS in the future then I’ll do anything I can. You don’t know whether you’re on a drug or a placebo but it’s a chance worth taking.”
When asked what she would say to someone living with MS who was considering registering their interest in Octopus or another research trial, Margaret added: “I’m being very, very well looked after and cared for on this trial. I would tell people not to be afraid of signing up.
“The more of us that can take part in research the better, and the more the researchers will learn. And hopefully, as well as finding new treatments, one day there’ll be a cure for MS.”
Dr Peter Foley is Principal Investigator for Octopus at the Edinburgh trial site, based at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh.He said: “The team at the Anne Rowling Clinic has been encouraged to hear of the latest developments in the Octopus trial.
“While of course it’s disappointing in some ways that metformin won’t progress to the next stage of the trial, it’s positive that Octopus is already helping to work out what treatments might be helpful.
“Building on these early results, alpha-lipoic acid will continue to be tested as a potential future treatment for progressive MS. We’re happy to be able to support delivering this important trial in Scotland, and are very grateful to all the trial participants who have committed so much time and effort.
“We hope that the success of the innovative Octopus trial design so far is a positive step towards developing effective therapies for people affected by progressive MS.”
Octopus is being led by leading UCL neurologist Professor Jeremy Chataway, whose vision to rethink trials for progressive MS was born over a decade ago.He says: “This is very exciting and proves not only that the Octopus trial design works, but that a new way of protecting nerves could be on the horizon.
“Of course, learning that metformin will be discontinued is disappointing. But finding treatments for progressive MS is extremely difficult, and we’re so pleased to be taking alpha-lipoic acid into the second stage of the trial.
“We’re now looking forward not only to seeing what the final results are, but also to adding in new ‘arms’ to Octopus next year.
“In the meantime, we do need to remind people with MS to not try to source unproven drugs outside the safety of a clinical trial.”
Dr Emma Gray, Director of Research at the MS Society,says: “We are so proud to be funding the first ever MAMs trial for people with progressive MS. It’s been a privilege to be part of the team and to have united the MS research community and worked with people living with MS to make this happen.
“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable but today’s results are a huge step forward and show treatments to slow or stop MS progression have never been more within our reach. Octopus was made possible entirely by public donations and our Stop MS Appeal.
“We’re continuing to seek funding from our generous supporters for the future delivery of the trial to build a future where no one needs to worry about MS getting worse.”
Professor Max Parmar is Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology and Director of the Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology at UCL. His underpinning work was key to the launch of the STAMPEDE trial for prostate cancer in 2005 – the world’s first MAMS Platform trial for any condition and the inspiration behind Octopus.
He says:”The MAMS platform design has transformed how we test new treatments in prostate cancer through the STAMPEDE trial, dramatically accelerating the evaluation of promising therapies and delivering benefits to patients years, and in some cases decades, sooner than would have been possible with conventional approaches.
“It has fundamentally changed the pace at which we can make progress. It is therefore tremendously encouraging to see these interim results from Octopus, demonstrating for the first time that this innovative approach can be successfully applied in multiple sclerosis. The potential to evaluate treatments more efficiently and accelerate progress for people living with MS is incredibly exciting.
“Reaching this stage is a remarkable achievement and reflects the vision, dedication and collaboration of the entire MS research community, as well as the commitment of the participants who have made the trial possible. I am excited to see how Octopus develops and the impact it could have on the future of MS treatment research.”
Anyone who has primary or secondary progressive MS and is aged between 25 and 70 in the UK can register their interest via the UK MS Register to take part in stage 2 of the Octopus trial.
Please note there is a waiting list for the trial.
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