The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Dear Editor, 

I would like to draw your readers’ attention to a pressing matter. Every day, despite some of the best medical care available in the world via our NHS, children are traumatised in hospital. 

Clinical environments, complex and painful procedures and isolation from friends can all build up to immense levels of stress. The anxiety can be particularly acute for little ones, who find it hard to understand what’s going on. 

Healthcare-related trauma experienced in childhood can lead to the avoidance of medical appointments and delayed diagnosis and treatment. It can also affect access to care in adulthood and have a devastating impact on long-term emotional wellbeing. According to our research, 10% of adults in the UK said their childhood experiences of healthcare had negatively impacted their mental health. 

Another little-known fact is that play can stop this trauma in its tracks. Starlight provides play resources to hospitals and hospices throughout the UK. We also provide support and high quality training to health play specialists and healthcare professionals to help them support children through play.

We have launched an appeal to reach even more children as soon as they need it because play can be the best medicine for babies, children and young people.

Find out how you can help children like nine-year-old Arlo who has a rare genetic condition and has spent weeks in hospital at starlight.org.uk. 

Sincerely, 

Hannah Mattock, 

Individual Giving Manager, Starlight 

After 12 years of continuous service at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh, much-loved senior nurse Dawn Sharp has decided to retire.

Dawn had worked for the company since 1995 across many of Barchester’s services before spending her last 12 years at Strachan House. The home couldn’t have been happier to have Dawn with us throughout the years providing a steady hand and a calm approach. 

Staff and residents at the home sent Dawn off in style with flowers, cards and a huge hug of course. Everyone at the home has very fond memories of Dawn and she will be sadly missed. 

During her time at Strachan House Dawn has been a wonderful nurse, someone dependable with Gladys one of the residents saying Dawns wonderful nature was the reason she was her favourite.  

Dawn said: “Strachan House is like a family to me and though I’m looking forward to retirement, I’m really going to miss everyone here so much!”

Fran Fisher General Manager at Strachan House said: “Dawn is one of those people who was born to care for others – she has such a huge heart and was greatly loved by the individuals living at Strachan House Care Home. She was an inspiration to her colleagues and we will all miss her. We wish her all the best!”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

First ever Highland Games-inspired Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland challenges Edinburgh shoppers to take on Scotland’s strongest men in its first ever Highland Games inspired Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is kicking off the 2026 Highland Games season with a first of its kind, high-energy trolley dash, challenging shoppers across the country to take on the world’s strongest brothers in a Highland Games inspired Supermarket Sweep, all in support of CHAS.

Coinciding with the opening games of the season at Gourock, the retailer is inviting duos to apply for the chance to beat the time set by strongmen Luke and Tom Stoltman, in a one-of-a-kind trolley dash, with winners also taking home their haul of goods.

Putting a fresh spin on the much-loved Supermarket Sweep format, the selected pair will be invited to compete in the ultimate in-store showdown, where strength, speed and skill will be put to the test. The challenge includes a range of new Highland Games-style challenges, from haggis hurling to trolley tug o’war. Their final shop total will be donated to CHAS, and if they beat the time set by the Stoltman brothers, they’ll double their haul.

Applications open from 10 May until 10 June, with entrants required to apply as a duo.

Each year, CHAS supports more than 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions, along with their families. In 2026, every penny raised through Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep will go directly to the charity, with £10,000 pledged in support.

Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Supporting local suppliers and celebrating Scottish culture is central to what we do, and our first-ever Highland Games–inspired Supermarket Sweep is a fantastic way to bring those together with our community initiative.  

“Teaming up with Scotland’s strongest brothers adds a real sense of fun and competition, and we’re looking forward to seeing how challengers rise to the occasion. It is a brilliant way to celebrate national tradition while raising valuable funds for CHAS and the life-changing support they provide to children and families across Scotland.”

Offering advice to future contestants, Luke Stoltman added: “There’s more to it than just strength. Speed, teamwork and a bit of strategy will all come into play.

“We’re always up for a challenge, but this one’s a bit different from what we’re used to. Mixing Highland Games events with Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep is something really unique, and it’s going to be great fun seeing how people get on.

“Most importantly, it’s all for a brilliant cause, and we’re proud to be supporting CHAS and the incredible work they do for families across Scotland”

Entry is free and customers can apply by emailing ‘Highland Sweep’, their names, phone number and chosen store to supermarketsweep@aldi.co.uk before 10 June.

Further details and full T&Cs can be found at:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/supermarketsweep

For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit:

 https://www.chas.org.uk/