The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 1380 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Omicron variant of “huge concern” stress Council Leaders

… but City Centre activities carry on anyway …

City council leaders have urged residents to be extra vigilant and follow the guidance in place to help minimise the impact of the Omicron Covid variant.

Speaking at yesterday’s full Council meeting, Council Leader Adam McVey appealed to the public to test regularly, minimise social contacts and stay at home as much as possible in the lead-up to Christmas.

He also stressed the importance of getting vaccinated, and highlighted the efforts being made to facilitate vaccinations, including at the soon to be opened Edinburgh International Conference Centre mass vaccination centre.

Cllr McVey said: With cases of the Omicron variant now doubling every two or three days this is an area of huge concern, both for public health officials and ourselves as policy makers.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of following the rules around hand-washing, mask-wearing and ventilation and testing – visit our website for details of community testing sites or to order a home testing kit.

“Perhaps most importantly, getting vaccinated is probably our biggest weapon against serious illness and hospitalisation and I would urge everyone to make their appointment for first, second and booster vaccinations as quickly as possible.

“We’re working really hard with partners to maximise capacity for administering vaccinations, and this has included keeping the Royal Highland Centre open for appointments and reopening the Edinburgh International Conference Centre for vaccinations as soon as next week. Please visit the NHS website for more information and to book your appointment.

“As we approach Christmas, I also want to echo the First Minister’s advice to stay at home as much as possible – more than we normally would at this time of year – and minimise contacts.

“I know this is hard to do but we have it in our power to minimise the impact of this virus by reducing the chance for it to spread.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “We face a rapidly evolving situation and we’re constantly monitoring the guidance with regard to our own buildings and services and also to provide guidance and support to businesses across the city to continue to operate safely.

“As well as having to adapt to the latest guidance, this is an extremely uncertain time and a particular concern for our local businesses and I’d like to take the opportunity to encourage everyone to shop local wherever possible.

“As soon as details of national support for business schemes are confirmed our teams are ready to help administer this too, as we have done throughout the pandemic.

“We’ll do all we can to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum but there’s every chance that we’ll have to make changes over the coming weeks. We’re planning ahead and liaising with partners to make sure we’re prepared. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for further information and service updates.”

Lord Provost Frank Ross said earier this week: “As we look forward to Christmas and the New Year, we all have a duty to do so responsibly with the safety of others foremost in our minds.”

NOTE: The Scottish Government published the updated business guidance yesterday afternoon

Community test centres and mobile test centres are open for people with no Covid symptoms. Full details of these, and how to order home lateral flow testing kits, are available online.

Book a vaccination on the NHS website.

Ditching Disposables: Pilot will see Scottish businesses break up with single-use items for good

Research from the Marine Conservation Society found an average of 262 plastic and polystyrene pieces for every 100m of Portobello beach
St Andrew’s Takeaway is currently using an estimated 10,800 disposable food containers a month. Over a year, this would have the same carbon cost as a return flight from Edinburgh to New York
If five percent of their customers switched to reusable food containers, it would save 100kg of carbon dioxide equivalent a year

Zero Waste Scotland has launched the first wave of its Ditching Disposables pilot, which will help a number of Scottish businesses to reduce and eliminate their reliance on single-use items.

The drive coincides with the recent announcement from the Scottish Government that they will ban a wide range of single-use plastics items from June 2022.

The new regulations include restrictions on plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, and food containers made from expanded polystyrene – items predominately found in cafes and hospitality businesses.

The legislation covers these plastic items made from both fossil-based and plant-based plastics regardless of whether they are recyclable, biodegradable or compostable. It also covers plastic items which contain recycled content.

In line with recommendations of the Expert Panel on Environmental Charges and Other Measures, the Ditching Disposables project will support organisations across Scotland to trial and implement sustainable alternatives to problematic single-use items. A common mistake, which businesses must avoid where possible, is to replace one disposable option with another one made from a different material.

This is why Zero Waste Scotland is embarking on a collaborative campaign to guide businesses on alternative and environmentally friendly solutions, such as swapping single-use plastic stirrers with reusable metal spoons rather than wooden ones, which also end up in the bin after one use.

The Ditching Disposables pilot is also a pivotal step towards the creation of a first-of-its-kind roadmap – a guide that will equip businesses across the world with the necessary tools and knowledge, using data collated from successful interventions found through the initiative.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We’ve all seen those pictures and videos of horrendous litter pollution strewn across land and sea. Waste, predominately made up of single-use items, is persistently causing harm to the environment in Scotland as well as the rest of the world.

“Right now, we live in a throwaway society, and we urgently need to move away from disposables completely. Our Ditching Disposables pilot is a huge step towards this goal.

“We’re working directly with business owners and their customers, at the ground level, to give them the right tools to find alternatives to disposables. We’re confident this pilot will help them to feel like they’re doing their vital part in reducing the amount of waste we produce.

“At COP26, Scotland proved it’s a world-leader when it comes to sustainability, and this pioneering project will further cement this status and form part of its legacy.”

Welcoming the pilot project, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “There is no longer any doubt that plastic waste is having a hugely damaging impact on our oceans, environment and climate.

“The Scottish Government supports a move away from the old-fashioned and environmentally destructive consumption model of take, make and consume.

“Lessons from this trial will be crucial in our efforts to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic and in our journey towards a circular economy that promotes re-use, repair and recycling.”

Take-out fish and chips for a stroll in the beach often come in wax-coated paper boxes, which have a carbon impact and cannot be easily recycled.

However, many food outlets use them. St Andrew’s Takeaway is currently trialling innovative alternatives but, in the meantime, uses an estimated 10,800 disposable food containers a month.

Over a year, this would have the same carbon cost as a return flight from Edinburgh to New York. If five percent of their customers switched to reusable food containers, it would save 100kg of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

Businesses in Portobello and Joppa already signed up to take part in the Ditching Disposables pilot include Malvarosa, Go Go Beets, Oscar’s Gelato, The Boathouse, St Andrews Restaurant & Takeaway and ShrimpWreck.

They’ll trial a series of initiatives including a deposit scheme for reusable containers, a charge for single-use items and edible spoons for ice cream.

Alvaro Bernabeu, Owner of Malvarosa restaurant, said: “I don’t see sustainability as a trend but the way forward. As a small business, we’re doing what we can and want to play a part in changing attitudes.

“The recent ban on problematic single-use items by the Scottish Government is a very welcome step, but there isn’t enough guidance available to businesses on what is the most environmentally friendly alternative. I see this pilot as a really worthwhile exercise and I’m sure it’ll be very welcome by my customers.”

The Ditching Disposables initiative will be supported by a regionalised social media campaign, featuring striking imagery of plastic waste on Portobello Beach, and using the hashtag #DitchingDisposables.

The campaign originally made headlines when announced in early 2020 with support from the Scottish Government – being hailed as an important step towards banishing polluting single-use items for good. However, it had to be paused due to businesses closing in line with lockdown restrictions.

Catherine Gemmell, Scotland Conservation Officer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “The Ditching Disposables campaign is a fantastic opportunity to give Scotland a glimpse into what having a circular economy would look like and the massive benefits across society it would bring.

“By moving to reuse, repair and refill our volunteers would start to see less plastic on our beaches which would save wildlife, keep Scotland stunning and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Call for connected recovery to tackle loneliness

New poll shows a quarter of Scots say Covid-19 pandemic has left them feeling more isolated than ever

Parliamentarians across parties are calling on governments to put connecting communities at the heart of Covid recovery – as a new British Red Cross poll shows a quarter (23%) of Scots say the pandemic has left them feeling more isolated than they ever have before.

28% say that feelings of loneliness are still affecting them even though Covid-19 restrictions have eased, in comparison to earlier in the year.

As many people continue to struggle with loneliness two years into the Covid-19 crisis, politicians and Civil Society Organisations want governments across the UK to reaffirm their commitment to tackling loneliness – and to improve and invest in community and social infrastructure needed to connect people. This includes public transport and shared public spaces, such as parks.

Calling for a cross-UK Government agenda to ‘loneliness-proof’ communities, parliamentarians have relaunched the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities, to keep these issues high on the political agenda.

Former Government Loneliness Minister and Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, and Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will be co-chairs, and the group will be supported by a new partnership of the British Red Cross, the Campaign to End Loneliness, and the Astra Foundation.

These parliamentarians are looking to build on the great work already done across the political spectrum, civil society, and people and communities themselves, to help raise awareness of loneliness – and tackle its root causes – at a time when a new Opinium poll for the British Red Cross shows that in Scotland:

A quarter (23%) of Scots say that the pandemic has left them feeling more isolated than they ever have before.
Around three in ten (28%) say that feelings of loneliness are still affecting them even though Covid-19 restrictions have eased, and a fifth (20%) are more worried about their feelings of loneliness now than they were before the pandemic.
More than two in five Scots (45%) say they are worried that with Covid-19 cases increasing in the UK, they will need to reduce their interactions with others again.
A third (33%) of Scots think that the pandemic has had a lasting impact on their relationships and social connections, while a quarter (24%) admit that they have found it difficult to reconnect with friends and family since lockdown restrictions lifted.

More positively, the latest research does show that 28% of people across Scotland feel more connected to their local community now than they did before the pandemic, with a third (33%) saying that the pandemic has brought out the best in their community.

Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, became the UK’s – and the world’s – first ever Loneliness Minister in 2017 and has continued to champion efforts to better connect people since.

Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, has long worked to tackle loneliness and bring people together, and continues to build on the work of her late sister, Jo Cox, who was a pioneer in putting loneliness and social isolation on the political agenda.

Tracey Crouch MP said: “When I was appointed Loneliness Minister in 2017, I got to understand the scale of the challenge and, through my work with local government, health professionals, charities, and community groups, we were able to identify the best ways of helping people who are lonely to reconnect with their local community.

“Since then, we’ve made real strides in tackling stigma, encouraging people to talk about their feelings, and in bringing in practical measures like social prescribing which sees people take part in activities or groups to improve their health.

“Now we need to go further and address some of the underlying factors that prevent people from connecting with others, especially in terms of investment in key infrastructure and assets in local communities.”

Kim Leadbeater MP said: “As we look to recover from this pandemic, we have to recognise the impact Covid-19 has had on some of the most vulnerable people in society, especially those who have been isolated for long periods of time.

“I know from my efforts to tackle loneliness and bring people and communities closer together, that loneliness was a real problem before Covid-19 and, for some, it will be an even greater challenge now.

“It’s crucial we improve things where we live and that means good transport links, clean and safe public areas, recreational spaces like parks and gardens – things we take for granted but are the glue that binds our communities together.”

British Red Cross Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland Kenneth Watt said: “Our latest research shows just how much more work needs to be done if we are to achieve a connected recovery from Covid-19, one that builds people’s confidence, brings our communities together, and puts a strong focus on those most impacted by the pandemic.

“We’re delighted to be supporting this push to encourage leadership and action on tackling loneliness, from all levels of government through to local communities up and down the country.

“Together, we need to build on the good work that has been done by government and communities themselves during the pandemic because loneliness is not a new or short-term problem and will continue to hold people back beyond this crisis.”

Robin Hewings, Programme Director at the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “We are pleased the Campaign to End Loneliness is partnering with British Red Cross to provide secretariat to the APPG on Tackling Loneliness & Connected Communities.

“Research has shown the pandemic has left many more people feeling more isolated than ever. It helps us open up the conversation some more that loneliness is going to be a serious issue beyond Covid-19.

“And that so much more needs to be done to address the issue at scale and build upon the great work that has been done so far to bring communities together in helping them all to build back better.”

If you are experiencing loneliness, please know that you are not alone. If you would like some help, the British Red Cross support line operates from 10am to 6pm seven days a week on 0808 196 3651.

You can also visit www.redcross.org.uk/loneliness-resources to access our toolkit of resources for adults and young people, including online group sessions and digital classrooms, as well as thought-provoking podcasts where others share their experiences of tackling loneliness.

brc-aviva-wellbeing-toolkit-adult-english Download

Stricter measures to limit the spread of Omicron come into effect today

New guidance to help limit the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Scotland has been published. This latest guidance took effect from 00.01 this morning (Friday 17 December).

Businesses will now be legally required to take reasonable measures to minimise transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The guidance will support businesses to put in place a range of public health measures that will help keep people safe, including enabling home working for those who are able to work from home – something that is key to breaking chains of transmission.

Masks should be worn in all businesses, and retail and hospitality businesses should consider ‘reasonable measures’ to reduce crowding and manage queues.

Workplace testing is being extended and businesses with more than 10 employees are encouraged to sign up to receive free lateral flow test kits to ensure staff are able to test regularly.

To help mitigate further economic harm as a result of this vital public health guidance, a £100 million financial package for eligible businesses is also being established to support them through this period. £100 million for self-isolation support grants is also being made available to those who need it.

The Economy Secretary is engaging with affected business groups and details of the funding is to be set out shortly.

Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said yesterday: “The Omicron variant is spreading at a rapid pace and we have had to work extremely quickly to get revised guidance in place for businesses, to take effect from 00.01 Friday 17 December.

“It is crucial that everyone follows this guidance to support businesses to keep their premises safe and prevent transmission of Omicron, especially as we ramp up booster vaccinations. Please get your booster, test regularly, follow the guidance, wear a mask and distance from people when you’re out and about. All of these layers of protection will help to limit the spread of Omicron, especially as we approach the festive period.

“I am also making a plea to be considerate to staff who are doing their best during this challenging period.

“In addition to guidance, we know that businesses need financial support now. We are working to get funding out to businesses as soon as we can but the Treasury must also step up and provide urgent funding beyond what we are able to provide.

“I wrote to the Chancellor last night and the First Minister has requested talks with the Prime Minister – this situation is serious and we need the UK Government to engage with us on further support.”

Read the Safer Businesses and Workplaces guidance

Read the Tourism and Hospitality sector guidance

Healthy Heart Tip: Mulled Wine & Cider – Counting the units

Studies have shown 61% of the UK’s population over-indulge in alcohol over the festive season, more than they usually do.

Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease. How much is too much? How do you know how many units of alcohol you are consuming?

We’re providing some guidance on understanding alcohol units and keeping track of how much you are drinking this Christmas.

What are alcohol units and ABV?

Alcohol units represent the quantity of pure alcohol contained within an alcoholic drink (1 unit is 10ml of pure alcohol). The number of units of alcohol in your drink depends on the size and the strength of your drink. ABV means ‘alcohol by volume’ and this is a measure of the amount of alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of a drink.

Calculating your units

You can find the ABV on the labels of cans and bottles. To calculate the number of units in a drink, multiply the ABV by the volume (in ml) and divide by 1000.

- ABV x volume (ml) ÷ 1000 = units

1 BOTTLE OF WINE	1 PINT BEER / LAGER / CIDER	1 SINGLE SPIRIT
750ml (ABV 13.5%) = 10 units	1 pint (568ml) (ABV 5.2%) = 3 units	25ml (ABV 40%) = 1 unit

The drinks you pour at home may be larger than the amount measured out in pubs. You could try using a measuring cup when pouring drinks at home so you can keep track of what you are drinking.

How much is too much?

For men and women, the maximum recommended alcohol units each week is 14, spread over 3 or more days. If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you do not drink alcohol at all.

Try recording how much you are drinking over a week using a diary or alcohol tracker.

Drinkaware provide assessment tools that you can use to track the amount you are drinking: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools

Support for your drinking

If you are worried about how much you, or someone you know, are drinking you can get support by visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/

Police: Operation Night Guard

Every weekend in Edinburgh city centre #OpNightGuard is in place to prevent disorder and provide reassurance to the public.

Dedicated teams of officers are deployed on foot during the evening and night time to prevent incidents, assist vulnerable people and ensure that everyone gets home safely.

We are always out and about supported by The City of Edinburgh Council who have additional staff out including taxi marshals, environmental wardens, night time teams and CCTV operators.

There are always volunteers from Edinburgh Street Pastors, Street Assist Edinburgh and other outreach services who are on hand to help and support vulnerable people.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

Dr Bell’s Family Centre announces new programme for Jan – Feb 2022

Our new programme is live!

If you live in #Leith (EH6/7) and have at least one child under the age of 5 you can join our community.

Our new programme is running from Monday 10th January until 11th February 2022.

Interested? Drop us an email at info@dbfc.org.uk

COVID-19 pandemic and UK energy market turbulence must be addressed in fuel poverty strategy

The twin stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant turbulence in the UK energy market must be tackled to address fuel poverty according to a letter issued yesterday by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee.

The Committee has been examining the Scottish Government’s Tackling Fuel Poverty Strategy to ensure it meets the needs of low-income households.

The impact of ongoing high inflation was a key concern highlighted in the Committee’s letter. A significant cost of living increase, caused by high inflation, is likely to push more people into, or further into, fuel poverty. The Committee has now called on the Government to define its plans in the strategy beyond this winter to reassure people that support will be available.

The Government’s proposals outline that some households are more likely to experience fuel poverty. While the Committee was happy to see this acknowledged, they want to see what more could be done to help disabled children or adults.

The Committee also raised concerns that the strategy did not fully plan to tackle the depth of fuel poverty in rural, remote and island areas. Some of these areas have recently faced significant challenges in accessing energy caused by winter storms. The Committee called for more detail on how the Government will engage with people living in these communities, who face a disproportionate risk of extreme fuel poverty.

Neil Gray MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “The significant recent disruption to energy supplies has brought the issue of equality in access to energy into sharp focus.

“We are pleased that the Scottish Government has made a commitment to address fuel poverty with this strategy. However, we believe the proposals should go further to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

“Sadly, given current indications that high inflation looks set to last well into the Spring, we are extremely worried that more people may be dragged into fuel poverty through no fault of their own. This makes it more important that the Government’s strategy details long term commitments.

“Thank you to everyone who shared their lived experience of fuel poverty with our Committee. The compelling and often upsetting evidence we heard has reinforced our belief that people’s experiences should be reflected in the strategy’s design and implementation.”

The full text of the Committee’s letter can be read here:

https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-social-justice-and-social-security-committee/correspondence/2021/tackling-fuel-poverty-in-scotland-a-strategic-approach

Utilita launches Planet Pledge

New campaign encourages pro-planet habit forming for 79% of people who want to impact climate change, but struggle to do so
Research confirms pro-planet habits can form in 66 days
National campaign has the power to fast-forward the UK’s journey by as much as two years and save households around £250 on annual energy bills

A new consumer behaviour change campaign named ‘Planet Pledge’ is inviting every household in the UK to sign up to a 66-day environmental pledge starting on 17th January with the ambition of encouraging long-term pro-planet habits that will get the nation to net zero as much as two years before the Government’s 2050 target.

The campaign is based on research that reveals that 79 percent of people in the UK would like to do more at home to tackle climate change but can’t get into the habit of doing so.

Despite the popular belief that it takes 21 days to form a habit, the campaign has been designed around a behavioural science study undertaken by Dr Pippa Lally and colleagues at University College London, which found that the average time it took to form a habit is 66 days.

All members of the household can get involved – not just the bill payer – at www.planetpledge.co.uk.

Participants will receive a welcome guide to introduce as many as nine new energy-saving behaviours, each to be completed for a minimum of 66 days. Each week participants will receive an email with exclusive tips and advice on pro-planet habit forming from Dr Lally.

By signing up, households can reduce their home energy wastage by up to 20 percent, which would help the UK to reach its 2050 net zero target as much as two years sooner and save each household around £250 on their annual energy spend.

Utilita Energy, the UK’s only energy supplier created to help households use less energy, is behind the campaign, after revealing that the majority of people want to make positive changes in their behaviours at home (79%) and more than three in five people said it makes them feel good when they make an effort to reduce their carbon footprint (63%).[3] The Planet Pledge campaign will reward participants who share their efforts via social media, with eco-themed prizes, including a smartphone, washing machine and an eco-friendly staycation worth £3,000.

Dr Pippa Lally, Behavioural Scientist at University College London is an expert on habit forming. She said: “Forming pro-planet habits makes it easier for us to continue to work towards tackling climate change in our daily lives even when we are busy and distracted.

“The Planet Pledge is a great way to challenge ourselves to make alterations to how we behave – be that turning the tap off whilst brushing our teeth or turning lights off when we leave the room. Every little action will add up to make a big impact.”

The most common pro-planet behaviours that people across the UK already do are:

Recycle rubbish – 63%
Turn off unused lights – 61%
Re-wearing clothes (and not washing them after one wear) – 48%
Keeping the home heating to a healthy home heat – 46%
Using a reusable water bottle – 44%

However, some of the easiest and free ways to reduce the impact households have on the environment are still not being done by most people:

80% of those with a dishwasher don’t use the eco setting
70% of people have never used the eco setting on their washing machine
66% of people shower with no consideration of time
66% of people use standby instead of switching items off
58% of people leave items plugged in to use vampire energy

Utilita Energy’s well-established relationship with schools, football clubs (from grassroots through to the Premier League), community groups, and its nine High Street Energy Hubs will mean the Planet Pledge initiative has the power to reach hundreds of thousands of households right across the UK.

Sarah Mitcherson, Headteacher at Ridgeway Academy in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire comments on why she thinks families will be keen to make their pledge: “As a school we do everything in our power to act in the interest of the planet.

“For the first time we’ve been able to invite every family to get involved with Planet Pledge, and all do something as a collective. We expect the campaign will be a great success, and we hope to keep the conversation going with families well after the 66-days.”

David James MBE, former England goalkeeper and environmentalist, comments on why he’s making a pledge to the planet: “I’ve been attempting to do the right thing by the planet for three decades – sometimes it works out, and sometimes, it just doesn’t.

“If the intention is there – which it appears to be for 79% of the nation – the habits can and will form, with the advice given by the week-by-week campaign.

“This is the first time I’ve ever known a brand to identify the barriers to positive behaviour change and go some way in helping consumers to get over them, which is really commendable.”

Archie Lasseter, Utilita Energy’s Sustainability Lead is responsible for getting the supplier to become a net zero business by 2030. He comments on why Utilita has been leading the way on ‘using less’ since 2003: “Energy suppliers exist with one main objective – to sell as much energy as possible and to make a margin.

“Utilita is very different. Our mission since launch has been to give as many homes as possible the technology and energy intelligence, they need to cut their energy wastage, and this latest campaign to promote habit-forming will support that.

“Back in 2019 we launched our award-winning Energy High 5 campaign, which has already reached almost four million households, and now we’re enabling every household to shave £250 off their annual energy bill. This latest research reveals that consumers want to do their bit for the environment, but just need a little help in doing so.”

The campaign follows on from the November launch of the hugely successful ‘Wear Warm’ campaign, which encouraged households not to go above 21 degrees at home and wrap up warm instead.

Reports from many of the 660 charity shops taking part in the campaign said the engagement with the idea has been fantastic for driving footfall and encouraging conversations around the healthy amount of home heat.

Signing up to make a ‘Planet Pledge’

Everyone can sign up to make their Planet Pledge from Friday 17th December 2021.

The campaign begins on Monday 17th January 2022 to celebrate the first day of the Energy Savings Trust’s ‘Big Energy Savings Week’.

Everyone taking part will be in with a chance of winning weekly prizes, including energy efficiency bundles and one uk-based eco holiday worth £3,000.

Marvel-lous! Superheroes abseil down New Sick Kids Hospital as a Christmas surprise

Children and young people at Edinburgh’s children’s hospital were given a Marvel-lous Christmas surprise when a team of costume-clad superheroes scaled down the side of the building.

The daredevil troop of Batman, Thanos, Spiderman and the Joker descended the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, much to the delight of unsuspecting children, families and staff watching through the ward windows and from the ground below.

The thrill-seeking team did two abseils from different parts of the hospital to ensure as many children and young people as possible had a chance to view the spectacle, and even staged a nail-biting superhero versus villain waterfight while suspended in mid-air.

Organised by Edinburgh Rope Access in aid of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), the fearless feat is raising money to bring comfort and joy to seriously ill children in hospital this Christmas and all year round. So far, the heroes have raised an incredible £531.

Nicky Erskine, managing director at Edinburgh Rope Access dedicated the gutsy stunt to all those at the hospital who fight their own brave battles on a daily basis.

Nicky said: “Abseiling down the side of a hospital isn’t for the faint-hearted but it is nothing compared to the challenges that children and young people staying here face with such courage every day.

“They are the real superheroes so we wanted to do our bit to spread some Christmas cheer, bring lots of smiles to those on the wards and raise funds for an incredibly worthy cause while we were at it.”

Victoria Buchanan from ECHC said: “Every year, we at ECHC work hard to bring the joy and magic of Christmas to children and young people in hospital by creating a fun-filled living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise activity every day.

“We were determined to make our first Christmas in our new home the biggest yet – and the superhero abseil has definitely taken the wow factor to the next level. It was wonderful to see so many children’s faces light up when their favourite heroic character dropped by their bedroom window and gave them a wave!

“We are enormously grateful to the team from Edinburgh Rope Access for being such intrepid supporters. For those facing a hospital stay at this time of year, special events like this really do go a long way in spreading happiness and lifting everyone’s spirits.”

To support Edinburgh Rope Access’ fundraising efforts, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edinburghsickkidsera

To find out more about ECHC’s Light Up Christmas appeal and to donate, visit: