Water of Leith Clean Up
Sunday 28 June 11am – 1.30pm
Meet at clock at Canonmills clock (foot of Brandon Terrace) at 10.45. Wear long sleeves and long trousers (nettles!) – and bring a picnic!
Local Community Learning & Development Worker Callum Mcleod said: “It’s normally a fun day and if you can make it along I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself!”
Events Management students raise thousands for charity
Edinburgh College’s Events Management students have raised more than £20,000 for charity this year by holding events around the city and surrounding areas as part of their coursework.
The students worked in 38 teams to arrange an event each in aid of a range of charities. Events included everything from a mini festival and club nights to speed dating and fashion shows.
Events Management lecturers celebrated their success this week by awarding a trophy to the most successful event team.
The winning team, called Festival Events and based at Sighthill Campus, organised a sell-out mini fringe festival at the Voodoo Rooms, where a variety of acts including a magician, DJ, reggae act and flamenco folk band, entertained the audience. To promote the event, the students worked together with dancers from the University of Edinburgh Modern Dance Society to organise a flash mob outside the Usher Hall. They also worked with students from the college’s audio visual courses, who documented the event by recording it for a video that helped them pass their course.
The team raised £1,100 for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, which was match funded by BP to make £2,200, after students contacted the firm.
Other teams organised events including children’s fun afternoons, club nights, fashion shows and an afternoon tea. A runner-up prize was awarded to a Milton Road Campus team, 505 Events, which organised a sports event around the Scotland vs. England Rugby match in aid of the charity Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal (SiMBA). Another Milton Road team received a highly commended award for its work, which included organising a speed dating event in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Lecturer Iris Aitchison said: “We are immensely proud of all the fantastic work that our students have put into organising all their events, and we were blown away by the amount raised for charities. This is the first time we have awarded a prize for best event, as we felt that these achievements deserved to be recognised.”
In total, 21 charities benefited from the students’ efforts, including Scottish Autism, the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund and the SickKids Foundation.
Pictured: Students from the winning teams with Events Management lecturers. L-R Caroline Patterson, Katrina Pugh, Javier de la Cruz (from the winning Festival Events team), Alana Laidlaw (from the runner up team, 505 Events), Iris Aitchison, Sarah Thomson.
The college offers events courses at NC, HNC, HND and BA (Hons) level in association with Queen Margaret University.
Scottish Government appeal to black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to donate
The Scottish Government is encouraging the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to consider organ donation. Only one per cent of Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register are from the BME communities, but around 8% of people on the organ donation waiting list are from that group.
Nearly 400 people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities in Scotland have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register over the last year, as part of a drive funded by the Scottish Government.
The initiative, run by Kidney Research UK, was set up last year to address the chronic shortage of organ donors from these communities and the Scottish Government has announced it will commit £22,000 to fund the project for another year.
Kidney Research UK have recruited peer-educators to speak to people about organ donation in locations such as Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) , Mandirs (Hindu temples) and the annual Mela festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
It is also working with the Muslim community through engagement with the Muslim Council of Scotland.
On Sunday, the team was present at the Glasgow Mela in Kelvingrove Park to talk to people about organ donation and encourage them to consider becoming an organ donor.
Over 2 million people in Scotland have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, but only around 2000 people are from black, asian and minority ethnic communities.
Kidney failure is up to five times more common in people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities, with South Asian people with diabetes ten times more likely to suffer from kidney failure than white people.
Public Health Minister, Maureen Watt, said: “In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the shortage of donors from black, asian and minority ethnic communities is a real issue, so it’s vital we continue to engage with people to explore the beliefs that can act as a barrier to donation.
“The peer educator programme has so far been extremely successful, but we want to go further and train up more peer educators to talk to communities about organ donation.
“Just over one per cent of Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register are from black, asian and minority ethnic communities, but this group account for nearly 8 per cent of people waiting on a transplant. Crucially, there is a much greater success rate when transplants are carried out within the same ethnic group.
“Of course, it’s an individual choice, but we want to ensure people have the right information to make an informed decision and that’s why education and projects like this are vitally important.”
Kidney Research UK’s Peer Educators have been trained to talk to their communities about kidney health and the risk of kidney disease, working closely with individuals, families, community groups and faith groups.
They offer practical help and advice, explaining the reasons for the increased risk and suggesting lifestyle changes that could help to prevent disease.
They also challenge some of the myths surrounding organ donation, and highlight the shortage of compatible donors in their communities.
Neerja Jain, Kidney Research UK’s Health Improvement Project Manager, said: “The passion of our Peer Educators is really helping to move this work forward considerably. Their amazing drive, enthusiasm and physical and mental energy is truly amazing. As volunteers, what they do, is really making a difference.”
Further information on BAME organ donation and transplantation is available at www.organdonationscotland.org
North Edinburgh’s Women’s International Group invite you to their new exhibition which celebrates the many achievements of local women in this community.
The exhibition opens on Thursday at 10am in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre; there’s a free creche and lunch is provided too (please book creche place in advance to avoid disappointment).
For further information contact Lynn on 552 5700 or Rachel on 07891 525 663.
Getting together. Making a difference.
Enjoy afternoon tea at Friday’s Big Chinwag and help raise money to combat loneliness
We’re joining the mother of all natters this Friday to raise money to help lonely older people in Scotland and hope people aged 65+ can join us!
We all enjoy getting together for a good chat with friends, family or colleagues, but sadly 1 in 6 people over the age of 65 in Scotland feel cut off from society. Many older people can go for a month without seeing or speaking to anyone and this just isn’t right.
Please come along to Out of the Blue at The Old Drill Hall on Friday for our afternoon tea and natter – it will be great fun and you’ll be helping Age Scotland tackle loneliness in later life.
Thank you so much and hope to see you all there!
£3.50 entry, everyone welcome.
Open Day at Granton Campus on Wednesday
Anyone wanting to boost their qualifications, improve their job prospects, get on the career ladder or learn new skills should come along to Edinburgh College’s Course Open Days this week.
The Open Days on Wednesday (17 June) at Granton Campus and Thursday 18 June at Milton Road Campus – from 2-6pm on each day – are an opportunity to take the first steps into further education or learn new career-advancing skills. Expert staff will be on hand to discuss course information, progression routes and funding options.
The Open Days are a chance to learn more about and apply for the college’s new range of part-time, evening and leisure courses, including professional development programmes. These are open for applications now and include Accounting and Finance, Art and Design, Business and Enterprise, Construction, Health and Social Care, Hair and Beauty, Engineering, I.T., Performing Arts, and Sport and Travel.
The Open Days are also an opportunity to find out about full-time courses beginning in August with remaining places, which will open again on the college website this week.
At the Open Days, the college’s advisors will have all the information prospective students need, including funding options. Students on part-time courses may have several funding options available depending on their circumstances, including Individual Learning Accounts. Advisors can help students with funding applications.
Edinburgh College principal Annette Bruton said: “We have top-quality courses across our whole curriculum to suit a range of study needs, and we’d love anyone interested in finding out more to come down to our open days. Whether you want to develop your education or career, or you want to become skilled in a different field, there’s part-time, full-time and evening options to fit into your lifestyle.
“You’ll be taught by dedicated lecturers with real industry experience so you’ll be well prepared for the next steps of your career. Even if you’re not sure what the best option for you is, our advisors will be able to help and guide you to make the best decision possible.”
For more information about available courses, to make an application and to register your interest in a course, go to www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk
Come and help celebrate the start of summer with us on Saturday 20 June (of course it will be sunny!)
All events in or near to North Edinburgh Arts:
Porridge and Play at the new Centipede play area at Muirhouse Drive, meeting at North Edinburgh Arts from 9.30am; for more, see
http://www.licketyspit.com/happening/porridge-play-312
Free family performances of Calvinball at 10am and 11.30am in the garden here at North Edinburgh Arts by Ipdip Theatre, particular geared towards those of us under 5 and our families
And the Power of Food Festival open day, see https://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/news/ for more
All we need is you!
Calvinball is inspired by the game played by Calvin and Hobbes in their comic strip it’s part Mornington Crescent, part Caucus-race; we’re on a quest to find the rules and the only way to do it is to play and see. The action and materials are chosen to appeal to the youngest of audience members and the open, outdoor setting frees parents from that particular theatre worry – will they sit? Lively, musical, slightly wild, and this time – outdoors!
Ring the box office on 0131 315 2151 or email
admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
to book your free spaces for the 10am or 11.30am show.
All change at the head of troubled charity
Scottish charity KiltWalk has replaced its entire board of trustees following concerns over the amount of money it is giving to charitable causes.
Earlier this year four charities – CLIC Sargent, Cash for Kids, Aberlour and Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Friends Foundation – withdrew as official partners, some expressing concern over the amount of money reaching them from the Kiltwalk.
Kiltwalk, which was launched in 2011, stages sponsored walks across Scotland to raise money for leading children’s charities, and last year more than 12,000 people took part in KiltWalk organised events. However it’s most recent accounts (2013) showed more was spent on costs than went to charitable causes.
Kiltwalk chairman Michael Ure said the charity incurred additional costs because of a restructure of the organisation, but he and the other trustees have now stood down and a new board will be appointed to take KiltWalk forward.
KiltWalk’s most recent accounts show that, from an income of over £1.6m, £780,000 was spent on running costs – more than the £776,000 which went to charities.
Hundreds of people took part in Edinburgh’s KiltWalk on 3 May. Walkers were advised on the charity’s website:
‘The Kiltwalk exists for one purpose only – to raise money for Scotland’s children’s charities, causes and schools. So while you might also be taking part to get fit, for the challenge or just to have fun, we would ask to set yourself a personal fundraising target of £200 for Scotland’s children.
IMPORTANT – please send your sponsorship directly to The Kiltwalk and NOT to our charity partners or your nominated team cause. We’ll award them a grant.
We would like you to set yourself a target of:
26 and 13/16 miles walkers – £200
Wee Walk – Adult – £100,
Wee Walk – Child (Under 16s) – £50
Wee Walk – Families (A family of four) – £200 combined
Registration Fees:
26 and 13 miles walkers – £25
Wee Walk – Adult £10, Under 16s £5
£25 goes towards the cost of the marquees, stages, red cross, security, toilets, refreshments, signage and many, many other costs on the day.
You also get your Kiltwalk t-shirt, goodie bag and medal, and at £25 we are still priced well below similar events across Scotland.’
Further KiltWalk events are planned for Perth and Speyside in August and Dundee on 20 September, with Platinum and Gold packages on offer on the charity’s website.
An 80-year-old man has been assaulted and robbed in his home in Leith. The attacker forced his way into the pensioner’s home in Buchanan Street at about 9:20 on Saturday morning.
Police Scotland said the attacker then assaulted his victim before stealing a sum of cash and making off.
The robber is described as a white male in his 30s, about 5ft 6in tall with a medium build and short brown hair.
Police have appealed for witnesses. Detective Inspector John Kavanagh said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim. We are eager to trace this suspect as a matter of urgency.
“Anyone who saw a male matching the suspect description in the Buchanan Street area yesterday, or has any other relevant information, is asked to contact police immediately.”
As the last brave walkers make it back home, organisers reflect on a wet but wonderful night …
Mad Hatters waltzed with White Rabbits and Cheshire Cats can-canned with Pink Flamingos this weekend to celebrate a decade of incredible fundraising at The MoonWalk Scotland!
Thousands of women and men wearing decorated bras inspired by this year’s theme ‘Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party’, set off in the cold and wet at midnight on Saturday from Inverleith Park, to power walk (or meander!) through the streets of the capital, raising money and awareness for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.
Before one step had even been taken by that crazy gang of weird and wonderful wonderland characters over half a million pounds had already been raised – adding to an incredible total of £18 million since the first MoonWalk Scotland in 2006!
Most of the money stays in Scotland, helping to improve the lives of people with cancer.
Legendary Scottish band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers ramped up the party atmosphere in Walk the Walk’s Pink Palace, playing for Walkers before they set off on one of four challenges: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).
With a walking distance for every age and ability, whole families were able to experience a night of fun and a bit of MoonWalk magic! Walkers aged from just ten years old are able to sign up for the New Moon, with this year’s youngest MoonWalker celebrating their own tenth birthday just two days before the event.
Iconic landmarks including Edinburgh Castle and the Melville Monument lit up pink throughout the night to give all the walkers a huge collective hug. A number of specially commissioned bras were also on display at The MoonWalk Scotland, designed by Maggie’s, Young Scot, Paths for All, Essential Edinburgh, City Cabs and Liggy’s Cakes, all uniting with Walk the Walk against breast cancer.
Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “The energy of everyone at this fantastic birthday party was just amazing and the rain was not going to stop a good MoonWalk!
“It was incredible to see Edinburgh lit up pink, in honour of our wonderful Walkers, and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of people on the streets, coming together to provide a constant supply of support, snacks and drinks.
“I found it really moving standing on the finish line of the New Moon, seeing all the faces of young children, who were especially delighted because they had persuaded their parents to take part. What a night!”
