Aldi invests £8,000 in sports clubs across Lothians and Borders

Edinburgh’s Lismore Rugby Football Club received the highest funding available

Aldi has invested £8,000 in ten local sports clubs across the Lothians and Scottish Borders this year as part of the supermarket’s annual Scottish Sport Fund.

As part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help cultivate a healthier Scotland, the fund gives local clubs the chance to receive funding ranging from £500 to £2,500.

Lismore Rugby Football Club secured the highest funding in the region this year, receiving £2,500. The Edinburgh-based charitable organisation, which has two men’s amateur senior teams, one women’s amateur senior team and a community outreach programme, plans to use the funding to start a pilot walking rugby programme for over 50s in the local community.

A slower, non-contact version of the sport, walking rugby is particularly suited to an older audience that are looking to stay fit and active. There are currently no opportunities for individuals to engage with the sport within Edinburgh, and thanks to Aldi’s donation, Lismore Rugby Football Club are going to change this.

Other clubs that have benefitted from this year’s Scottish Sport Fund include Kelso Tennis Club and PHD FUNdamentals – a trampoline and gymnastics club, which each received £1,000.

Saltire Gymnastics, Watsonians Hockey Club, 10th West Lothian Scout Group, Boroughmuir Thistle Football Club, Dysart Sailing Club, Girlguiding Midlothian and Lochend Football Academy were also successful and received £500 each.

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund aims to help people of all ages to take part in physical activity within their local communities by giving the clubs the opportunity to secure much needed funding.

Since launching in 2016, Aldi has invested over£50,000 and supports over 85 clubs across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders, helping to improve community access to sports across the region.

Eric Jones, Rugby Development Officer at Lismore Rugby Football Club, said: “We are really grateful that our club has received the highest funding available in such a large region. We’re just trying to do our part, keeping people of all ages active, so to be recognised for this is a big achievement for us.

“We applied because we value the mental and physical benefits of exercise and wanted to launch a walking rugby programme in the local community to encourage people to stay active.

“This funding will help us launch a year-long pilot of the programme. I can’t wait to get started!”

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “It’s brilliant that a wide variety of sports clubs across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders have been able to benefit from our Scottish Sport Fund initiative.

“It’s humbling to see how much of a difference extra funding can make to clubs like Lismore Rugby Football Club, and in supporting people across Scotland to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the criteria, from rugby clubs to after school groups, and everything in between. Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of purposes, including new strips and equipment, or for putting towards the cost of training facilities and coaching.

For more information about Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, please visit: 

www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.

Tree of Hope to boost secondary breast cancer research

Buy a bauble and help fund vital studies and support patients  

Edinburgh residents are being invited to join a joyous festive fundraising campaign to support people living with secondary breast cancer. 

Charity Make 2nds Count has launched its inspiring Tree of Hope initiative, giving people the chance to donate by buying a Christmas bauble which will not only become a gorgeous decoration for the tree but can also be a beautiful tribute to a current patient or a lost loved one.   

The aim is to raise £15,000 in a national Tree of Hope campaign to fund more new and dedicated research into secondary breast cancer, a disease that kills 1000 women a month in the UK.  

Two Christmas Trees of Hope are located in Edinburgh, in McLarens on the Corner in Morningside Road and in the Cold Town House in The Grassmarket – venues of the Signature Group hospitality collection which is supporting the fundraiser by hosting the trees and donating a percentage from a special dish served in its various locations. 

Both real and virtual baubles are available to purchase, with donors receiving their personalised decoration as a keepsake in January. Individual Baubles of Hope are £25 with corporate Baubles of Hope available for £100. 

The initiative is part of the charity’s Make Christmas Count campaign to highlight secondary breast cancer.  Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, it is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.  On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer. 

Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Make 2nds Count, says: “Every family has cherished decorations that come out every year, baubles that mean something poignant to them personally, and this is just a lovely way of sharing a bit of that special Christmas spirit with others. 

“It really is the most wonderful time of the year and we’re confident that people will embrace our message of hope this festive season by taking the opportunity to add some sparkle to our trees and to boost our research funds.” 

Siobhán Leith, Head of Sales and Marketing, Signature Group adds: “Signature Group is delighted to be supporting Make 2nds Count for the second year.

“We’re so grateful to the six venues in our group who are hosting the Trees of Hope in order to be a voice within our communities. The work that this charity does is so important and we’re proud to be able to help raise awareness and funds through this fun and meaningful initiative.” 

Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis when she learned she had primary and secondary breast cancer (SBC) in 2017. It is in the majority of her bones and brain.  She says the value of donations cannot be underestimated. 

“Last year, the first year of our Tree of Hope campaign, we had an amazing response and outstripped our £10,000 target by several thousand pounds so we’re aiming a bit higher this year.  

“The generosity of those who contribute to our fundraising has allowed us to make several important grants to researchers and donations from our trees will fund even more new and innovative projects, maintaining our mission to give hope to patients and their families affected by SBC, particularly at this special festive time.” 

Witness appeal following road accident on West Maitland Street

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously injured following a road crash in Haymarket last night.

Around 9pm, the 29-year-old woman was struck by a double decker bus on West Maitland Street near Morrison Street.

She was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe her condition as critical but stable.No one from the bus was injured.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre, Police Scotland, said:”The area was quite busy at the time and I’d like to thank those who came to the lady’s aid and spoke to police.

“However, I’d still ask that anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have caught the incident on their dash-cam footage, contact police. Please call officers on 101 quoting reference number 3356 of Sunday, 5 December, 2021.”

Make sure that Cyber Security is top of your Christmas list

To paraphrase the Christmas song “It’s the most vulnerable time of the year.” Cyber criminals don’t take a holiday, so your chances of being a victim of a cyber attack can increase.  

Christmas holidays are a prime time for criminals to take advantage of. At this time of year, organisations will start to close and will be running with a heavily reduced staff count which can make organisations vulnerable.

Last Christmas Eve, Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s digital systems were held under attack. It knocked several of their key systems offline causing major disruption to their staff and made it difficult for them to do their work.

Does your current security strategy include a plan for cyber attacks during the holidays?

The benefits of having a business community plan are undeniable. When disaster strikes, getting business operations back up and running quickly is crucial. No business is immune to potential threats, no matter how big or small your organisation is.

Make sure you have taken all the necessary steps to secure your IT unfractured ahead of time. From protecting your website, safeguarding your customer details to training your staff it’s time to take a closer look at your organisation’s cyber security.

Take the time now to review your business continuity plan and know where you can seek advice and support should you need it.

Developing a plan

A Cyber Incident Response Plan is a set of instructions that are designed to help you prepare, detect, respond and recover from cyber incidents. Having a plan will outline the recovery process, so that everyone knows what is required of them during an incident. Each department in your organisation should understand the incident response procedure.

Our Cyber Incident Response Pack is an easy-to-follow guide to setting up a cyber incident response plan for your business. It has checklists, action plans, and template documents that you can use today. This will help you identify and prioritise your company’s most valuable assets and links to advice to help you keep them secure.

Regular back-ups

Ransomware has been a growing cyber security threat, and one which could affect any organisation that does not have appropriate defences. Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents you from accessing your computer (or the data that is stored on it). The computer itself may become locked, or the data on it might be stolen, deleted or encrypted.

You should perform a regular back-up of your systems and data, which will enable quick restoration of business functions. Importantly, having offline versions of your backups is your best defence, as you can wipe any encrypted devices and restore from your offline back up.

Read the NCSC’s blog on offline backups for more advice and how to defend your organisation from potential malware and ransomware attacks.

Keep all software up to date

All sorts of electronic devices can hold personal or financial data so it’s important to make sure you secure these devices with strong passwords and update the software regularly.

Companies fix any weaknesses by releasing updates. You should always make sure to install the latest software updates to protect your devices from vulnerabilities. Take some time to review your security settings on all your devices and make sure you’re protected against the latest threats.

Small Business Guide

The NCSC’s Small Business Guide and Small Charity Guide includes simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your business from cyber security risks. Doing these steps will significantly increase your protection from the most common types of cyber crime.

By proactively addressing the cyber security in your organisation, you can enjoy the holidays knowing you have minimized any potential risks.

Who to contact for support

Organisations looking for support and advice can call the free Cyber Incident Response Helpline. This helpline can support organisations that have been a victim of an attack and provide expert guidance to get back to secure operations.

Call the helpline on: 01786 437 472

You can report cyber crime to Police Scotland by phoning 101

Celebrate a Holly Jolly Christmas with The Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square celebrates with a festive installation and limited-edition cocktails created in collaboration with Edrington UK

The Ivy on the Square celebrates the launch of ‘A Jolly Robin’ with a spectacular festive installation for guests and passers-by to enjoy as well as new limited-edition cocktails.

Inspired by William Morris’ famous 1883 print, The Strawberry Thief, The Ivy on the Square’s façade will take guests on a wonderful festive journey combining festive florals, the Christmas robin and pomegranate. 

Available until Friday 31 December, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of bespoke cocktails created in partnership with Edrington UK.

For those looking to treat themselves to a yuletide tipple, the brasserie’s bar team are serving up a number of bespoke cocktails, including the showstopping Red Robin (£9.75), a blend of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, lemon, pomegranate, and honey, finished with apple cider, and Hold-Up Ginger (£10.25), complete with Haku Vodka, Aperol, pineapple, lime, and gingerbread, perfect for an after-dinner treat.

Also featured is the Christmas Star(£10.25), a festive delight incorporating refreshing Roku Gin, star anis, pineapple, lemon and Crème de Mure.

Diners can also enjoy a delicious menu featuring showstopping seasonal desserts including the delightfully rich snowball fight (£9.50), with brandy ice cream, white chocolate, gingerbread and complete with cream sauce – perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square said: “We’re excited to officially launch our new installation and delicious food and beverage menus to guests this week.

“Edinburgh is known all around the world for its vibrant Christmas celebrations so we’re looking forward to being part of the city’s festivities.”

Yes! Yes! UCS!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Townsend Theatre Productions latest play coming to North Edinburgh Arts

It’s 1971 and Aggy McGraw, straight out of school, gets an office job at Fairfields shipyard in Govan a week before the new Tory government decides to stop any investment in what they call ‘lame duck’ industries, which includes shipbuilding on the Clyde.

Facing an uncertain future, she has nothing to lose, except her job, and is swept up into the famous ‘Work In’ to demonstrate to the government that shipbuilding has a future – that the jobs, traditions, skills and communities can be saved. 

Townsend Theatre Productions’ new play Yes! Yes! U.C.S! is a celebration of the community solidarity and collective resistance inspired and led by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ shop stewards Jimmy’s Reid and Airlie, attracting massive national and international support that led to victory in the fight for Right to Work.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono sent a bunch of roses with message for the people of Glasgow; it read: “Power to the People!”

Yes! Yes! UCS! begins a nationwide tour in February and comes to North Edinburgh Arts on 27 April (venue to be confirmed due to the Arts Centre’s redevelopment).

National Grief Awareness Week – 78% of us have NEVER spoken to a GP about bereavement

At the start of National Grief Awareness Week, Cruse Bereavement Support and the Royal College of GPs are announcing an exciting new partnership to strengthen bereavement support and understanding of grief for people across the UK.

In an important step for UK healthcare, the partnership aims to highlight just how impactful grief can be on a person’s physical and mental health.

New research released today by Cruse, shows that over three-quarters of adults in Britain (78%) have never spoken to a GP about a bereavement*.

With this staggering figure in mind, Cruse and the RCGP are making clear to people who may need additional support after experiencing a bereavement, whether recent or in the past, that they can connect with their GP practice team.

This will give GP teams the opportunity to identify people who may need additional support from bereavement services as well as offering information and advice on support available.

With support from a grant of more than £574,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund the largest funder of community activity in the UK, this campaign will supply GPs nationwide with a toolkit supporting them to provide consistent and compassionate support for grieving patients.

The toolkit also provides information and products for patients and healthcare staff – including an animation on the new partnership, a patient poster for all GP surgeries on bereavement and grief and a VBA (very brief advice) card for practice staff.

Sadly, nearly everyone will be affected by bereavement at some point in their life and it is vital that the right support is available and known for people who need it.

This exciting initiative delivered by Cruse Bereavement Support in partnership with The RCGP, is a big step toward ensuring healthcare groups and bereavement support charities are working in partnership to provide the best bereavement support for grieving people.

Steven Wibberley, Chief Executive of Cruse Bereavement Support comments: “Understanding grief and how it can affect your health is the first step towards getting the support you need – and GPs and practice teams can play a really important role in helping grieving people with this.

“That’s why we are so pleased to be collaborating with the RCGP in this important campaign to bridge the gap between healthcare and bereavement support. It’s our hope that this partnership will also ensure all grieving people, especially those who may feel alone and unsure of where to get help, are able to access the right support when they so desperately need it.”

Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders, Clinical Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care for the Royal College of General Practitioners comments: “After a bereavement, it’s natural to want and ask for support. Many people find support from their friends, family or community networks but others may be really struggling with their grief and find more formal support helpful.

“GP practices are a valued and important source of information, support and advice in our communities. This work between the RCGP and Cruse aims to equip GP practice teams with the tools to help identify people with bereavement needs and accessible information to sign-post people to appropriate bereavement support, ensuring the bereaved person is at the centre of every step.”

Proposal to pardon miners to be explored by Holyrood Committee

A Bill which would pardon miners convicted of offences during the 1984-1985 miners’ strike is to be scrutinised by a Scottish Parliament Committee.

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is seeking views from the public, academics and other interested stakeholders on the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill.

If passed, the Bill would automatically pardon those convicted of offences which occurred during the course of a miner’s participation of a picket line, demonstration, or other similar gathering in supporting the strikes or while travelling to or from a picket line or demonstration.

Recognising the strain placed on police and community relationships during the strike, the legislation is an attempt to bring reconciliation between those upholding the law and those who were fighting to protect their jobs, livelihoods and communities.

Committee Convener Joe FitzPatrick MSP said: “Many of those who took part and were convicted for their participation in the miners’ strike have had to live with the consequences and the resulting stigma for decades.

“This Bill seeks to provide some closure to communities across Scotland by pardoning those found guilty of certain offences during those bitter disputes.

“As we launch this inquiry, we want to find out if this legislation is the right approach to achieve reconciliation and right those historical injustices or if there are alternative ways we can reach that goal.

“In seeking views to aid our scrutiny, we particularly want to hear about how far the proposed pardons go and whether they cover the right people and offences.”

The call for views closes on 14 January 2022 and you can share your views here: 

https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrc/miners-strike-pardons-bill

‘Ambitious Budget for a fairer, more prosperous Scotland’

Plans will ‘support families through the cost of living crisis’

Initiatives to tackle the climate emergency, support economic recovery and reduce inequalities will be at the heart of this year’s Scottish Budget, Finance secretary Kate Forbes declared yesterday.

The 2022-23 Budget, which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday (9 December), will set out how the Scottish Government will forge a path that transitions Scotland towards becoming a fairer, more prosperous and greener country.

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Budget, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said it comes against a challenging fiscal backdrop and the impacts of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ms Forbes said: “This is a critical time for Scotland – we are still in the grip of the pandemic and families and businesses across the country are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis. However, in these times of crisis, we need to go beyond the norm.

“While the pandemic may have defined our lives in recent times, the Scottish Government is determined it does not define our future. The 2022-2023 Scottish Budget that I will present on Thursday is another stepping stone towards a fairer, greener, more prosperous future.

“This Budget will provide certainty and stability for families whilst working to reduce inequalities, the process for which has already begun with the First Minister recently announcing the doubling of the Child Payment to £20 per child per week from April next year, reaching over 105,000 children under age 6 in just four months’ time.  When we extend the Scottish Child Payment to all under 16s at the end of next year, over 400,000 children and their families will be eligible.

“We will also invest in infrastructure that allows us to drive down emissions and create the green jobs of the future that come with the transition to a greener Scotland and set out plans to bolster our economic recovery and support our public services.

“This year’s Budget is set against a challenging fiscal backdrop as a result of the UK Government’s decision to reduce Scotland’s day-to-day spending by removing ongoing COVID funding, despite the continuing impacts of the pandemic.

“The Budget I will present on Thursday will enable the Scottish Government to make good on our promise to build a fairer, greener Scotland. That is our social, economic and environmental imperative.”

UKHSA calls for everyone to get their flu jab this week

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging all those eligible to take up their flu vaccine by 10 December to ensure protection in time for Christmas.

The vaccine takes 14 days before it provides maximum protection, so people should get it before 10 December to help keep themselves and vulnerable relatives safe throughout the festive season.

Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications for those living with a long-term health condition, including respiratory and heart conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or a chronic neurological disease like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. People with underlying health conditions overall are 11 times more likely to die if they catch flu compared to healthy adults.

Pregnant women are also at increased risk of serious complications and should have the flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their babies.

While many people aged 65 and over have already come forward for their flu vaccination, exceeding the WHO target of 75%, less than half of those with underlying health conditions have taken up the offer. Uptake in pregnant women also lags behind other groups, with just 34.4% vaccinated so far this season.

While levels of flu infection are still low, typically levels ramp up over December, with a peak in January. We are calling on people to take up the flu vaccine, along with practicing good hygiene, ventilating rooms, and staying at home if unwell.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid said: “Getting your winter vaccines – whether that is your flu jab if eligible or your booster jab –  is one of the most important things people can do for yourself an your family this winter.

“Record numbers of people took up the offer of a free flu vaccine last year and the programme is expanding even further this year, with a record 35 million people in England eligible.

“Don’t delay – book your flu vaccine as soon as possible.”

Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “The threat of flu has not gone away – it can cause serious illness and be fatal.

“Flu vaccination saves lives. If you are eligible, you don’t have to wait to be called up – book your flu vaccine as soon as possible to help protect yourself and family this Christmas.”

Almost 20 million COVID-19 booster vaccines and third doses have been administered in the UK.