The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

UK’s biggest food collection calls for volunteers to support food charities

With food banks and charities facing continued high levels of need this winter, people are being urged to give the gift of their time to take part in the UK’s biggest food donation drive.

Now in its 14^th year, the Tesco Winter Food Collection is taking place in all large Tesco stores from November 26^th to November 28^th. Tesco’s charity partners, Trussell and Felix, are calling for volunteers to sign-up to support the event in store as both charities aim to provide much needed long-life food and other items to families.

Donations for Trussell will help its community of food banks provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to Felix (formerly FareShare and The Felix Project) will support its network of more than 8,000 local charities and community groups helping to feed people in local communities across the UK.

Volunteers will help out at collection points in Tesco stores to raise awareness of the impact every single donation will have on people across the UK, who rely on Trussell and Felix for food.

Donations are needed now more than ever, with one in five Trussell food parcels coming from Tesco and its customers and over 50% of charities in the Felix network reporting and increase in demand in the last year.

Christine Heffernan, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Tesco, said: “The Winter Food Collection is a key moment in the Tesco calendar as part of our commitment to supporting families across the UK get access to food when they need it most.

“Last year, our generous customers donated almost 1.5m meals worth of food to the collection and, by volunteering a few hours of your time, you can help us increase donations allowing Felix and Trussell to get food to even more people facing a tough winter.”

Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive officer at Trussell, said: “As temperatures drop and bills start to rise, more people will be forced to seek our food banks’ help. But with the support of Tesco, their customers and our incredible food collection volunteers, food banks can stay better stocked ready to support people facing hunger in their local communities.

“We urgently need you to play your part by getting involved in Tesco’s Food Collection, whether that’s through spreading the word, donating essential items or volunteering your time. Every small action makes an incredible difference – thank you so much.”

Charlotte Hill, CEO at Felix added: “Food from Felix reaches a network of over 8,000 charities and community organisations across the UK, helping them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services.

“At a time when demand for food support is growing and people are struggling with the cost of living; the Tesco Winter Food Collection is more important than ever.

“We know from experience that having volunteers present in store significantly increases the number of food items donated, and hope that more people than ever will generously give up their time this year. By volunteering just three hours, people can play an important part in our mission and help create lasting change in communities across the country.”

You can sign up to volunteer in your local Tesco store with Felix at:

https://felix.org/tescofoodcollection

or with Trussell at:

https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/tesco-food-collection

Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns Lifts Off!

Giant Lanterns set to light up winter with conservation and community at its heart

Edinburgh Zoo is launching this year’s Giant Lanterns trail with the theme Space Safari, running from 13 November 2025 – 21 February 2026. All images © Gibson Digital /Royal Zoological Society of Scotland 2026

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has officially launched Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns trail. Visitors are invited to embark on an out-of-this-world adventure through a glowing universe of handcrafted lanterns while helping to protect wildlife and support local communities.

Last year, the award-winning event attracted more than 96,000 visitors, with this winter set to be the biggest experience yet. Beyond the spectacular displays, Giant Lanterns has a greater purpose, with proceeds from ticket sales helping to support RZSS’s vital conservation work in Scotland and around the world, alongside its commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

As part of this commitment, RZSS is inviting seven charity partners including Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Child First and Places for People to experience the trail who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. The initiative aims to make the event more inclusive and accessible, creating moments of wonder, excitement and enjoyment for people who may face barriers to taking part.

Proceeds will also help support vital conservation work, including the Saving Wildcats project led by RZSS. The project works on returning wildcats to the Scottish Highlands, helping to restore populations of this critically endangered species in the wild.

By visiting Giant Lanterns, visitors are helping RZSS work towards its ambitious goal of reversing the decline of at least 50 species by 2030, supporting vital work to give threatened wildlife a brighter future.

Running across 60 nights from Friday 13 November until Sunday 21 February 2027, the space safari trail will feature more than 1,000 handcrafted lanterns and 15,000 LED lights.

RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple said: “We are so happy to welcome everyone back to see Edinburgh Zoo truly glow once again. Giant Lanterns are incredibly special. It’s not just a winter light trail, it’s a lifeline for vital conservation work that is only made possible thanks to the support of our visitors.

“Last year our conservation work was able to protect threatened species not only just in Scotland but around the world. We hope Giant Lanterns will inspire our visitors to see the natural world in a new light and leave knowing that their visit has helped make a difference to wildlife, both here in Scotland and further afield.”

Tickets are available now at edinburghzoo.org.uk/lanterns.

Entry is open from 4:45pm, with the last entry at 7.30pm.

Ticket prices vary for off-peak and standard nights.

Support for families bereaved by deaths in custody

A free independent advocacy service has been launched to support families who have lost loved ones in prison custody.

Advocacy workers will offer practical and emotional support that is trauma-informed and tailored to the needs of each family. This will include helping bereaved families to understand and navigate the processes that can follow a death in custody, including fatal accident inquiries.

The service, provided by independent advocacy organisation AdvoCard, was developed with input from those who have experienced such a loss.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “Every death in custody is a tragedy, and my thoughts are with the families affected. Keeping people safe in our prisons continues to be a top priority.

“For families who have lost a loved one in prison custody, shock and grief can be compounded by the investigations, legal processes and inquiries that follow. These can be complex and distressing, and no one should have to face them alone.

“This new free independent advocacy service will guide families through each step and make sure their voices are heard. I am grateful to the families who courageously shared their experiences and helped to shape the service so that others facing the same loss can get the support they need.”

Susan McGregor, whose brother died in prison custody, said: “As well as the heartbreak of losing my brother, we did not know what would happen next and then we were faced with complicated reviews and legal processes, which just added to the grief.

“I am pleased that with the launch of the AdvoCard service, other families in a similar position will be able to access support to help guide them through all this.”

AdvoCard CEO Arlene Astley said: “We support families through what can often be complex processes, including Deaths in Prison Learning and Audit Reviews (DIPLAR), NHS Significant Adverse Event Reviews and Fatal Accident Inquiries.

“Our dedicated advocacy workers offer one-to-one support, helping families understand these processes, to have their voices heard, and to access the information and support they need throughout their journey.’

Scotland backs human and disability rights in climate action

£375,000 to help most vulnerable people affected by climate change

The Scottish Government will provide £375,000 for three programmes supporting human rights and disability inclusion in the global response to climate change.

In a world-first, Scotland will provide £100,000 in new funding to Christian Blind Mission to help disabled people’s organisations take part in international climate talks. Disabled people are often among those hit hardest by climate change, but are rarely included in decisions about how to respond. This funding will help make sure their voices are heard.

The funding includes £165,000 to continue Scotland’s support for the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights. A further £110,000 will extend funding for the Regions4 Just Resilience Action Platform, which helps Global South regions access climate finance by developing investment-ready projects and connecting them with donors. Scotland holds the Presidency of Regions4, a global network of governments.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “This funding continues Scotland’s efforts to make sure those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are most vulnerable to its worse impacts have a voice in international decisions.

“Climate justice is central to our approach. We want finance to reach those hit hardest, through locally led action that puts women, disabled people and Indigenous Peoples at the heart of climate solutions.

“For long-term change, we have made clear that the global debt system needs to be reformed if we are to achieve climate resilience. Climate vulnerable countries in the Global South should not have to choose between debt payments or recovering from climate change.

“The UK Government has an opportunity to use its upcoming G20 Presidency to make this a priority and I will continue to urge them to do so.”

Josephine Mwatibo and Gordon Rattray, UNFCCC focal points Disability Climate Caucus said: “The Disability Caucus is very grateful to the Scottish Government for its support, which is helping to make international climate action more disability inclusive.

For too long, persons with disabilities from the Global South, who are among those most impacted by climate change, have been shut out of the rooms where decisions are made.

“This funding means representatives from organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs/DPOs) can be at COP31, drawing on their lived experience and local knowledge to help shape outcomes that will affect their communities.

“The support will help to move the dial on seeing long term impact for some of the world’s most marginalised communities and towards climate justice. It goes beyond the logistics of travel, registration and preparation.

“It also covers the accessibility requirements that make participation possible, such as sign language interpretation, personal assistance and accessible accommodation. Without these, being at the event is not the same as taking part.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment is a practical demonstration that climate action must include persons with disabilities, and we hope it encourages others to follow.”

Elisa Morgera, the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights said: “The UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights is extremely grateful for the renewed funding from the Scottish Government, which supports the mandate’s international engagements including her participation in COP31, at a time when the UN liquidity crisis has prevented the mandate from receiving the UN budget allocated to her under the relevant Human Rights Council resolution.

“These international engagements are essential for the Rapporteur to listen to the concerns of and advise States, human rights defenders and a variety of experts who wish to contribute to the protection of the climate system and human rights, from local to national and international levels.”

The Scottish Government has delivered £36 million for climate justice, including £10 million for loss and damage, in the last parliamentary term.

Spanish Bookbug at Blackhall Library

FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER 11am

We are thrilled to be hosting an exclusive Spanish Bookbug at Blackhall Library on Friday November 27th at 11-11:30.

Come to our bilingual Bookbug for Spanish and non-Spanish speakers.

Plus a special featured song for the Day of Merengue!— at Blackhall Library.

Death on City Bypass: Police appeal

Appeal for information after woman struck by vehicle on Edinburgh city bypass

Road policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the A720 Edinburgh city bypass westbound near the Baberton junction.

The incident happened around 9pm last night (Wednesday, 11 November) and involved a black Citreon Berlingo.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 47-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed overnight in both directions for collision investigation work.

It re-opened at around 2.45pm this afternoon (Thursday, 12 November).

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a road traffic offence and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died and her next of kin are aware.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for information that could assist with our investigation.

“Please get in touch if you saw anything or have dash-cam footage that could assist officers.

“We are also asking anyone who saw a woman in the area before the incident to get in touch as you may have vital information that could help.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3879 of Wednesday, 11 November, 2026.

Drylaw Festive Fayre

DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

SATUDAY 28 NOVEMBER 11am – 2pm

Join us on Saturday 28th November, 11am–2pm for a lovely festive day at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

We have some fantastic sellers joining us, with a lovely selection of handmade crafts, gifts and festive goodies. There’ll also be a bake sale, refreshments, tombola and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Santa’s Grotto – Booking Now Open

If you’d like to book your child in for a visit with Santa on the day, please get in touch with us with your child’s name and age.

Visits cost £1 per child, payable on the day. Please remember that Santa will only be seeing pre-booked children, as he’s a very busy man at this time of year!

We look forward to seeing you there!

St Columba’s ‘blown away’ with stormy Art Exhibition success!

WE are absolutely blown away! With your support, our 2026 Art Exhibition raised a truly brilliant £20,913

Despite storm Boelo blowing a hoolie outside, you showed up and made our art exhibition a success once again. Special thanks to all our visitors, and of course to our wonderful artists for producing such beautiful work.

Thanks also to our loyal volunteers who gave up their time over the weekend, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Every purchase and donation directly impacts our community, so thank you all for your generosity. We are already looking forward to welcoming you for our 50th celebration exhibition next year!

Interested in exhibiting at next year’s event? Please contact:

fundraisingfund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk for more information.