Charlotte Hinton, 10, from Loanhead, has skipped 1,000 times a day for ten days – 10,000 skips in total – to raise funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Charlotte, a member of 1st Loanhead Brownies, devised the challenge to earn her Charities Badge and because it gave her a focus during a period of isolation from school. She was inspired to raise funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society because her cousin Ellen was born deaf and her family has been receiving ongoing support from the charity.
She has smashed her fundraising target of £50, with £275 raised so far. All the funds raised go directly to the National Deaf Children’s Society, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families.
Charlotte lives in Loanhead with her parents, Karen, a teacher, and Colin, and her little brother Ross, 7.
Charlotte said:“I want to thank everyone for their donations. Some days were hard, especially skipping with hair down – not the best idea. Sometimes my legs were sore but I kept going.
“I really enjoyed skipping and was shocked at how much I raised. I even managed to do 1,000 skips in under ten minutes on my last day, which I really wanted to achieve.”
Karen added:“Charlotte was inspired by her PE teacher who had been teaching her class skipping. Charlotte immediately knew she wanted to skip to raise money. I knew this would give her a purpose and focus during isolation and was happy to support her.
“I’m so proud of Charlotte. She has the most caring heart and I know that her care and worries will one day change the world. She transformed a pretty rubbish time into something amazing – some adults could learn a lot from that.”
Elle Billinge,who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:“I want to say a huge thank you to Charlotte for taking on such an original challenge for us. It was a lovely thing to do, and we’re so grateful.
“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. The efforts of energetic fundraisers like Charlotte will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.”
A new recruitment campaign looking for volunteers to join Girlguiding Scotland has launched – #ExploreDiscoverVolunteer – which will help support the return of face-to-face guiding in communities across Scotland.
Around 1000 girls and young women in Edinburgh are currently on the waiting list to join a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger unit and to help fulfil this Girlguiding Scotland is looking for volunteers across the nation.
From adventure weekends away to earning new badges, Girlguiding Scotland wants to provide even more girls and young women a safe space to have fun, connect with their friends and build skills for their future.
According to Volunteer Scotland there are many benefits to volunteering including gaining confidence, meeting new people, being part of a community, taking on a challenge and having fun, all of which can be gained from being a volunteer with Girlguiding Scotland.
A survey carried out by Girlguiding found that nearly a third of girls and young women in Scotland felt lockdown has had a negative impact on their mental health – amidst high levels of worry, stress, and loneliness.
Tricia Forrester, Girlguiding Scotland volunteer said: “It has been especially hard during the pandemic; we have had to come up with new and innovative ways to help support girls and young women’s wellbeing during these uncertain times.
“Being a volunteer for Girlguiding Scotland has really helped me embed myself into the community as well as being so rewarding, knowing that I am providing girls and young women with a safe space to have fun, connect with their friends and build skills for their future.”
Moira McKenna, Chief Guide for Girlguiding Scotland said: “We currently have a strong team of around 10,000 volunteers, but with growing demand we want to ensure that all girls and young women have the opportunity to join Girlguiding. We are looking to increase the adult membership to help more girls and young women access the benefits that guiding has to offer.
“We are looking for more volunteers to get involved to make a meaningful impact in the lives of girls and young women, building on the incredible work during the pandemic.
“New volunteers can choose from opportunities to work directly with young members and lead on the delivery of activities; go on international trips and adventure weekends away; and access bespoke training.
“The campaign highlights how volunteering with Girlguiding Scotland supports people’s self-development and improves their confidence and wellbeing.”
Bringing the benefits of guiding to more girls and adults across Scotland is central to Girlguiding Scotland’s strategy which aims to ensuring every girl and young woman who wants to join guiding in Scotland, whatever their background, will have the opportunity to do so.
Anyone can get involved in guiding, whether they’ve previously been a member, and with a variety of volunteer roles to choose from people can give the time that suits them.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or know a girl who would like to join guiding, please visit www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/get-involved/ to find out how to get involved.
Girlguiding Edinburgh are opening a brand new Brownie and new Guide unit in the Craigmillar area this week.
Girls aged 7-10 are invited to join Brownies and girls aged 10-14 are invited to join Guides. If you’re a girl or you know a girl who likes going on adventures, trying something new and meeting new friends then what are you waiting for?
Come along and take part in all the fun that guiding has to offer!
Time and Location
The new units will open on Thursday (30 January). Brownies and Guides will run between 6-8pm at St Teresa’s in Craigmillar, 120 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4EG. The units will then meet on a weekly basis.
For more information and to register please contact www.girlguiding.org.uk and choose the 82nd City of Edinburgh Brownie or Guide unit or call 0131 226 4511.
Susan Jeffrey received Drylaw’s Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship at a packed Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre last night. Susan was joined by friends, family and colleagues at a reception organised to mark the annual award that celebrates our unsung local heroes (writes Dave Pickering).
Susan was the unanimous choice of Drylaw Telford community members for her incredible contribution as a volunteer with the Brownies at Drylaw Parish Church – Susan has been with the pack on a Monday evening for thirty years!
Presenting the award, Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “It’s really nice to see such a big crowd here tonight and it’s particularly good that Mrs Tierney has joined us once again.
“The community council received four every strong nominations this year ans it says a lot that Susan was the unanimous choice of the community council for her thirty years service with the local Brownie Pack, but also in recognition of her work as a fundraiser with Drylaw Church, where she chaired the fundraising committee.
“Presenting the award gives me particular satisfaction this year as I am an ambassador for the local Girl Guiding movement and I know just what a difference people like Susan can make to young people’s lives. I wonder just how many girls and young women have been influenced in a positive way over those thirty years? Susan has been described as a ‘warm, caring person’ and while she may be quiet and reserved she has made a great contribution to community life here in Drylaw.”
Susan said: “I would like to thank everyone – my friends and family – who have helped and supported me. I don’t know if I will manage another thirty years but we will see how things go!”
Speaking after the presentation Guide Leader Elizabeth Martin, ex-Commissioner of Raeburn Division (which covers Pennywell District, of which Drylaw is part) said: “It was an honour for me to present Susan with her 30 year knot at 170th ‘B’ Brownies in January, my final role as Division Commissioner for Girlguiding Raeburn.
“Susan has seen many girls go through Brownies and some have even become leaders within Girlguiding and Scouting. She always encourages the girls to do their best along with encouraging the volunteers she has had over the years to take a full part in the unit. Susan runs a very full programme of activities for the girls and plans the unit meetings with her other leaders. Congratulations, Susan on your Award.”
If you’d like more information about Girlguiding – perhaps your daughter is interested in joining or you’d like to find out about volunteering with the organisation, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk
Susan is the fifteenth recipient of the annual award – and the women have forged into a clear lead! The tally now stands at 9-6 in the girl’s favour, so come on Drylaw boys – get out and support your community!
Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship Award Winners:
This year the annual Edinburgh Gang Show will be not only the biggest of its kind in the world but also the biggest production to be staged on the King’s Theatre. With over 330 young people from the Scouting and Girlguiding movements, it will be a busy and exciting show!
Running from 18– 22 November at the King’s Theatre, the Edinburgh Gang Show includes slick song and dance numbers from Michael Jackson to Disney’s Frozen and many more, as well as topical comedy sketches.
Andy Johnston, the Edinburgh Gang Show Director said: “This is my 12th year as Director and it features the largest cast ever assembled for an Edinburgh Gang Show. Over 330 young people will get to experience the amazing buzz that you only get when the houselights go down at the start of a Gang Show and that almighty roar resounds around the auditorium.
“It is a very, very special show, one which is forward looking, while at the same time keeping in line with the format that was created 82 years ago by Ralph Reader. The show is a reflection on what has happened throughout year and we strive to make sure there really is something for everyone.”
It will be a special occasion for the youngest female cast, the Brownies, as the section turned 100 years old in 2014! In celebration there will be a special Big Brownie Birthday number with 170 Brownies, in two casts, 70 more than usual! This party number includes songs from Sister Act and Hannah Montana.
This modern, fast paced and funny production is not a show about Scouting and Girlguiding it is a performance by those in Scouting and Girlguiding. It allows these young people the chance to develop their performance skills in a professional environment and continue to do something that they clearly enjoy and love.
Edinburgh Gang Show 2014
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
Tue 18 to Sat 22 November
Evenings 7.00pm
Saturday matinee 2.15pm (Audio described & BSL interpreted)
