New Zealand women complete the Dundee Virtual Kilt Walk while UK sleeps

While Scotland slept on Thursday night, two women finished the virtual Dundee Kiltwalk almost as far from the city as it is possible to get.

Jane Ludemann and her mother Elspeth walked up Signal Hill in Dunedin, New Zealand, three times. They began at 9:30am on Friday the 3rd of July New Zealand time, which is 10:30pm on Thursday GMT.

Signal Hill is 393 metres (1289 feet) high.

They chose this  hill because the monument at its summit is hewn from the rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands and they completed the Kiltwalk to raise money for research into low grade serous ovarian carcinoma at the University of Edinburgh.

When Jane was diagnosed with this rare form of cancer at the age of 32, three years ago, she discovered that there was very little research on the disease and no way to fund research into it anywhere in the world.

That spurred her to establish Cure Our Ovarian Cancer, a charitable trust dedicated to increasing awareness of LGSOC, supporting women with the disease and raising funds for research into better treatments and an eventual cure.

The University of Edinburgh is their UK charity partner. Cure Our Ovarian Cancer hopes to part fund a researcher at the University of Edinburgh to develop better laboratory models of the cancer to help find new treatments.

Since 2019 they’ve raised over £10,000 of their £25,000 target.

“University of Edinburgh’s Professor Charlie Gourley has provided national leadership of low-grade serous clinical trials in the UK.  Furthermore the work of his research team is world renowned,” Jane said.

“Historically low-grade serous ovarian cancer has been overlooked. It disproportionately affects young women and the overall survival rates are really poor. It’s really confronting to stare death in the face at such a young age. If I don’t survive, the thing I want most in the world is to know this won’t happen to someone else. Knowing that Professor Gourley is on the other side of the world, working hard to improve survival, makes life that bit easier”, says Jane. 

Elspeth said that when Jane was diagnosed she and her husband Grant said they would do anything they could to help her: “I didn’t think that would entail climbing a steep hill three times, but thankfully the Kiltwalk is about distance not speed.”

The rock at the top of the hill isn’t the only link between the Ludemann’s Kiltwalk and Scotland. Elspeth’s father, Charles Sime, was born in Dundee and lived there until he immigrated to New Zealand in his 20s.

“Although Dad ended up living in New Zealand longer than he lived in Scotland, he retained his accent and took great pride in wearing his kilt,” Elspeth said.

“He would be very sad that his granddaughter has cancer but so proud of what she is doing to raise awareness and funds. He loved tramping and would be tickled pink that we are doing the Kiltwalk with its link to him home town.”

Six hours and 30 000 steps later the pair finished their walk. Jane said: “I don’t think we’ll win any prizes for speed but we put in a lot of effort. I’m looking forward to an early night.

“I’m thrilled that we have been able to support the University of Edinburgh’s cancer research today, from the other side of the world.”

To make a donation to Jane’s efforts go to: https://dundeekiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/jane-3

Become a Bee Buddy

Wake up to Nature: 9 tips to become a bee buddy

Honeybees are wonders of nature. You may see them buzzing happily from flower to flower at this time of year — but that’s just one pollination pitstop, as honeybees can cover an impressive three miles in one trip foraging for sticky nectar!

Their hard work doesn’t stop there; a strong colony of around 60,000 bees will travel the equivalent distance from earth to the moon every day!1

In turn, honeybees are responsible for pollinating a third of the fruit and vegetables we consume. They produce delicious honey for us to enjoy too, as the UK’s favourite honey brand Rowse knows only too well!

In fact, different flowers produce very distinct flavours, some light and citrussy, others rich and earthy — but all utterly delicious! In their lifetime, 12 honeybees will produce a teaspoon of yummy honey for us to drizzle, spread and ultimately enjoy. Their collective impact on the environment and food production shouldn’t be underestimated.

Sadly however, the UK’s remarkable honeybees have been in long term decline. So, Rowse is passionately spearheading positive change for the bees through Hives for Lives, a program of vital initiatives that protects the bees and improves livelihoods through beekeeping.

The good news is, we can all play a vital role in protecting and saving this incredible species with the following handy hints and tips on how to feed the bees this summer and become a Bee Buddy:

  1. Plant flowering plants from early spring through to winter. Make sure you have loads of different types; that way they’ll be in bloom throughout the seasons and the bees won’t go hungry. Here’s a handy list to tell you which plants will flower at different times of the year
  2. Bees don’t like having to fly too far, so plant different varieties of plants close together
  3. Some plants are more effective than others at attracting bees to your garden, so choose the bright flowers like lavender and borage, or tasty pollen herbs like thyme and marjoram
  4. Bees like plants with varying heights, so planting trees, shrubs and larger plants will help
  5. You don’t need to just plant in your garden – these will work just as well on your patio, window box or even hanging baskets
  6. Bees love weeds! A lawn full of clover and dandelions is a haven for bees, so let a patch of your lawn grow or raise the notches on the mower to lift the cutting blade a few centimetres
  7. Be wild! Some of a bee’s favourite nectar sources can be found in natural hedgerows and areas of wild plants or flowers, including bramble and ivy. Planting patches of these will not only help bumble bees, solitary bees and other pollinators, but will also help create the environments in which berries and seeds are produced, and which other wildlife also depend on
  8. Bees need water, so make sure there is somewhere in your garden for them to drink from. They’re only small so a plate or a small bowl is ideal
  9. If you see a tired or struggling bee, give them a one-off boost with some sugary water. Mix two tablespoons of white sugar and one tablespoon of water, put some of the mixture on the spoon with the bee and it should soon have a drink and become energised to take flight!

The more habitats you have in your garden, the more insects and bees you can attract and the more you’ll be doing to play a part and help nature to boost our natural resources.

Who knows, maybe you’ll even want to become a bee farmer some day!

Police appeal following local robberies

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two robbery incidents took place in two convenience stores yesterday (Saturday, 4 July).

The first incident happened around 5.45pm at the Best One store on Bonnington Road. The suspect threatened the shop keeper with a knife and demanded money from the till. The shop keeper challenged the suspect who then left.

The second incident happened around 6.15pm at the Co-op store on McDonald Road. The suspect entered the store from the direction of Bonnington Road and threatened two members of staff with a knife, demanding money from the till. Around £200 worth of cash was stolen. Nobody was injured in either incident.

The suspect is described as male, in his twenties, around 6ft tall with black sunglasses and a black/grey snood only showing his eye line. He was wearing a slim fitted Nike top with a black Nike tick on the right chest and black cuffs looped over his thumbs.

He had a red/burgundy top underneath showing at the waistline, skinny blue Nike joggers, black running trainers, orange gloves and a black rucksack worn to the front of his body.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gray, of Gayfield CID, said: “We believe these incidents are linked and between speaking to the victims and watching CCTV, there is a good description of the suspect so we’re appealing to the public to help us.

“If anybody saw somebody matching this description on Bonnington Road or McDonald Road shortly before or after these incidents on Saturday, please contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2824 of 4 July, 2020.

New research reveals kids top 10 films during lockdown

  • Trolls (U) tops the poll of feel good films of lockdown, picked by children themselves
  • Playing outdoors has been kids favourite positive lockdown activity
  • Full list of films published on CBBFC, along with fun, free activities for children and families


Trolls (U) has topped a poll of feel good films being watched in lockdown by children aged 4 – 13, according to new research by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). 

The research, carried out by We Are Family and Panelbase to reflect on children’s experiences during lockdown, found that more than six in ten (62%) kids have watched happy and positive films to cheer themselves up. 

The top 10 films are revealed as; Trolls (U); Frozen (PG); Boss Baby (U); The Greatest Showman (PG); The Lego Movie (U); Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (12); Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (PG), Inside Out (U), Finding Nemo (U), Spiderman: Into The Spider-verse (PG). 

For children aged 4 – 11 Trolls is the favourite, but for older children, aged 12 and 13, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle came in first place.   

Faye Harcourt, Director of Marketing and Outreach at the BBFC, said: “Film and TV can be an excellent tool for families to use to get together and enjoy a shared experience. It can also act as a positive distraction for children, allowing them to take a break from their surroundings and explore different world views and experiences.

“That’s why we have been working to ensure that kids’ voices are heard and, as the global pandemic continues, make sure that families and young people are getting the information they need to choose content well and to stay entertained.

The research also looked at other activities children were doing to keep positive during lockdown, with playing outdoors coming out top (64%). Kids have also been watching videos on YouTube (58%), gaming (54%), baking (43%) and doing arts and crafts (42%) to stay happy and positive. 

More than a third (34%) of children have been using apps – like FaceTime, HouseParty and Zoom – to talk to their friends. But older children were much more likely to keep in touch this way, with more than two in five (44%) saying they’ve been using apps to virtually hangout with friends. 

Maurice Wheeler, Managing Director of We Are Family who conducted the research, said: “During such an unusual time, it’s important to keep listening to your audience and in particular to capture the thoughts and feelings of children and young people.

“During lockdown children and families as a whole have turned to entertainment to keep themselves happy and positive, and also to bring the family unit together.”

The poll, carried out by Panelbase, surveyed 1,000 children aged 4 – 13, alongside their parents, and provided participants with a curated list of popular films rated U, PG and 12. Children were then asked to decide what film they would most likely watch when they needed cheering up. 

The full list is published on CBBFC, the BBFC’s dedicated children’s website, where families can find out everything they need to know about the films, including the age rating and ratings info.

There are also a range of free activities and resources for kids based on the top 10 list, including ‘Movie Night With the BBFC’ packs, case studies and children can also have a go at rating a trailer. 

Happy birthday, NHS!

This weekend marks the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. Last night we lit up Scottish Government buildings in blue to mark the occasion. Join us in clapping to show our support for our staff across health and social care at 5pm today #NHSScot72

PM Boris Johnson said: This year has seen the NHS gallantly respond to the greatest challenge it has ever faced and rightly receive unprecedented support.

Week after week, we saw people take to their doorsteps, line the streets, lean precariously out of rainbow-bedecked windows to clap their hands and bang their saucepans to show their appreciation.

I am proud to be once again clapping for our heroic NHS staff, alongside Anne-Marie Plas who launched this inspirational initiative.

I am also celebrating today with staff from St Thomas’ Hospital who, quite simply, saved my life.

As we mark seventy-two years of the NHS, I want to say how thankful I am of this world leading institution.

As Prime Minister, I have given the NHS a £34 billion funding increase, the biggest in decades, and made sure it has every penny it needs to cope with coronavirus.

I’m immensely proud that the organisation built by Beveridge, Bevan, Willink, Godber, and so many others, has grown into the spritely seventy-two year old we see today.

And Royal approval:

Happy 72nd Bithday, NHS: you’ve never been more needed.

All In This Together

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: THANK YOU TO GENEROUS CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES AT M&S STORES IN EDINBURGH FOR SUPPORTING NHS CHARITIES TOGETHER

  • M&S stores in Edinburgh will be taking part in the one-off Clap for Carers this Sunday to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the NHS*
  • Generous customers at the stores in Edinburgh have already raised over £42,000** for NHS Charities Together during this unprecedented time through a range of fundraising activity
  • A new in-store rainbow display will update customers on their fundraising total each week throughout the summer

This weekend, colleagues and customers at M&S stores in Edinburgh will be taking part in the one-off Clap for Carers to mark the 72nd birthday of the NHS, supported by the founder of the initiative and NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens.

Ahead of the weekend, teams at stores in Edinburgh have installed a new display to share with customers just how generous the local community has been during this unprecedented time.

The in-store display (above) shows how much M&S customers at stores in Edinburgh have donated through a range of activity including shopping M&S’s Rainbow sale (where 10% of each purchase is donated to NHS Charities Together), buying the limited edition NHS Charities Together Bag for Life in the Edinburgh Foodhalls, purchasing M&S’s All in This Together T-shirts (pictured on Holly Willoughby and son below) and making one-off donations at the till points.

This fundraising total is already over £42,000. 

Customers can continue to get involved in lots of ways including selecting NHS Charities Together as their Sparks charity (M&S’s loyalty scheme) meaning M&S donates on their behalf every time they shop in any store or online.

M&S Edinburgh Princes Street Store Manager, Jenny Mcpartlin and her team will be updating the accumulator each Monday.

Jenny said: “The past few months have been challenging for all of us, but one thing that’s been amazing is seeing people rally together. We’re very proud that our community has already helped raise over £42,000 for a really important cause that will provide vital support to NHS staff, volunteers, and patients.

“Clothes shopping is different now and as customers are coming back and starting to shop with confidence it’s really lovely that the first thing they’ll see when they enter our stop is a display that shows the generosity and kindness of the local community.”

Ellie Orton, CEO, NHS Charities Together said, ““I can’t thank M&S customers enough, the money you have raised is making a huge difference for the NHS staff and volunteers who have been there for all of us during the Covid crisis.

“I’d urge all of you to come together with friends, family and neighbours for a moment of thanks on 5 July, so we can show appreciation for everyone who has been there for others over the last few challenging months.”