Tag: charity appeal

Edinburgh volunteers needed for Scottish Poppy Appeal

Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, has put out a call for volunteers to step forward and make a difference across Edinburgh.

Every year, Poppyscotland runs the iconic Scottish Poppy Appeal, which provides the nation with the national symbol of Remembrance, the four-petalled Scottish Poppy.

Hundreds of volunteers step up annually to help organise the Scottish Poppy Appeal in their local area, volunteering their time to help distribute poppies and collecting tins, and arrange collections at supermarkets, shopping centres and other key locations.

This year, volunteers are needed in the capital to help organise the Appeal, with dedicated support from the Poppyscotland team. The charity is seeking members of the community, a community group, school, local business, or anyone who wishes to make a difference to Scotland’s Armed Forces community in the city.

The money raised during the Scottish Poppy Appeal goes directly to Poppyscotland’s Welfare services, supporting veterans, those still Serving and their families at times of need. This could include, for example, providing an emergency grant to stop a veteran losing their home, funding housing adaptations so that a disabled veteran can continue to live with their family, and much more.

Current Poppyscotland volunteer, Eilidh, said: “It has been really interesting getting to meet people who have Served or have had family Serving. They provide the most incredible stories. People just want to talk to you when they see you volunteer with Poppyscotland, so it never gets boring.

“Poppyscotland are amazing and have supported me with every step. Any time I have a slight worry or confusion, they’re there to help me out and they are some of the friendliest people I’ve met. I’ve loved everything about my experience to date.”

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, said: “Every year, we are so grateful for the generous support of the public. But our volunteers are the strength behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Their tireless dedication and professionalism means that the national symbol of Remembrance can be found across the nation.

“We have a dedicated team that look after our volunteers. This makes volunteering for Poppyscotland easy and stress free. But we need you to step forward so that we can continue to change lives for the better.”

To find out more about volunteering for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, contact Poppyscotland’s Volunteering team on 0131 550 1597, email:

volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk 

or visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/volunteer

Emergency appeal launched to help children on the brink of starvation

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals is asking for urgent support in response to the spiralling hunger crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region 

Mary’s Meals has launched an emergency appeal to deliver urgent food aid to children in Ethiopia who are on the brink of starvation. 

The current situation in Ethiopia is dire. A combination of drought, displacement, and brutal conflict has left huge areas of the country in crisis. Having lived through the atrocities of the Tigray War, millions of Ethiopians are facing emergency levels of food insecurity and hunger. 

The most recent assessment of food security needs from the Government of Ethiopia projected that 15.8 million people in the East African country will face hunger and need food assistance in 2024. This includes more than four million internally displaced people and 7.2 million experiencing high levels of food insecurity and needing emergency help1. 

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals has been working in Ethiopia since 2017 and feeds 24,320 children every school day. With its local partner, it provides daily school meals to marginalised and disadvantaged children in the impoverished Tigray region in the north-east of the country, close to the Eritrean border. 

The Tigray region is one of the worst affected by the hunger crisis. According to the BBC, 200,000 children in Tigray have left school in the last three months alone2, with many of them working, begging or scavenging for food to survive. 

During the civil war, Mary’s Meals provided community feeding programmes to 30,000 people while schools were closed and families were displaced. 

Following the ceasefire agreement in November 2022 and the re-opening of schools, Mary’s Meals has now fully reinstated its school feeding programme across Tigray. This is bringing hungry children back into education and providing a lifeline to them and their families living in extreme poverty in these challenging days.  

But with an estimated 7.6 million children in Ethiopia out of school because of the conflict and climate shocks3, it is critical that the programme is extended to attract more children into the classroom where they will be given energy to learn and the hope of a brighter future. 

Now, there is an urgent dual priority – ensuring that children in Tigray have food and boosting their chances of engaging with education again. 

Matt Barlow, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, says: “The stories we are hearing from our partner in Ethiopia are simply devastating. 

“The two-year civil war has caused widespread destruction and left physical and mental scars on people all over Tigray, including children – many of whom have missed years of schooling and who are now starving. The war has undone years of progress in Tigray’s education system and we know the impact of children missing years of learning is huge. 

“With your support, we can bring these hungry children back to the classroom and give them a nutritious meal which will allow them to focus on their lessons and give them an education. Ultimately this will help to lift them, their families and communities out of the extreme poverty they are living in”. 

As funds allow, Mary’s Meals’ partner is ready and waiting to extend its feeding programme to more schools, in areas of great need across the region. They will work together to reach as many more children as possible with daily meals in school over the coming weeks and months. 

Matt continues: “The situation is urgent. But there is something you can do. You can help to bring these desperate children back from the brink of starvation. 

“Throughout the UK, I have witnessed people respond with incredible acts of kindness in moments of crisis and when all hope may seem lost.

“Now, we need your support. Please donate what you can today – even the smallest donation can help to save a life.” 

To find out more about the Mary’s Meals Crisis in Ethiopia appeal, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/crisis-in-ethiopia 

Letters: The Big Give Appeal

 Did you know that over 7,000 women – mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmas, aunties, nieces, cousins, friends – are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year?  

One of those women was my mother, actress Marjie Lawrence. We lost her in 2010 when she died of ovarian cancer, just three weeks after her diagnosis.  

Receiving an ovarian cancer diagnosis is devastating. The latest research from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer revealed that over half the women diagnosed struggle with their mental health as a result. Despite this, there is a desperate lack of support and information available – from the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond into recovery and adjustment back to everyday life. 

This is not acceptable. Women are left feeling lost, scared, and unsure where to turn.  

That’s why I am writing to you today to ask for your help.  

Target Ovarian Cancer aims to look after every area of life for a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This includes providing a nurse-led support line and group events where women can access crucial information and vital support. The charity also produces information guides and tools to empower women with knowledge – helping them to take control of their health. 

These essential tools need urgent funding.   

From midday Wednesday 11th October to midday Wednesday 18th October, there’s a fantastic opportunity to raise these funds when Target Ovarian Cancer teams up with THE BIG GIVE APPEAL to raise up to £20,000! 

EVERY donation made will be matched, so it will have DOUBLE the impact. Donate £5, and it will raise £10. Donate £50 and it will raise £100.  

Target Ovarian Cancer is there for everyone affected by ovarian cancer, any time they need it. Through Target Ovarian Cancer and The Big Give, more women living with ovarian cancer will be able to receive invaluable support and information – absolutely essential for the best possible outcomes.  

To make a donation and have it doubled, please visit: 

targetovariancancer.org.uk/biggive 

With best wishes,  

Sarah Greene 

Sarah Greene       

Honorary Patron at Target Ovarian Cancer and presenter on BBC1’s The Finish Line  

Scottish Mosques raise money with Islamic Relief for Morocco

Islamic Relief UK launches nationwide Mosque collection this Friday (15th September) to raise money for Morocco earthquake survivors

Aid agency, Islamic Relief UK, has announced nationwide Mosque collections on Friday 15th September to raise funds for vital, life-saving aid for the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Morocco.

It is expected that this will be the charity’s largest ever Friday Mosque collection.

Participating Scottish Mosques are:

  1. Masjid Al Hikmah (Glasgow) – 15th
  2. Alloa Mosque (Aberdeen) – 15th
  3. Blackhall Mosque (Edinburgh) – 15th
  4. Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre – 15th 

The earthquake hit Morocco on 8th September at 11.11pm in the High Atlas region. 2,100 people have already been reported to have been killed with the death toll likely to rise as rescue teams continue to search for survivors.

Some villages have been completely flattened and residents are using whatever equipment they can find as they struggle to help their neighbours.

Blocked roads are preventing ambulances from reaching the wounded, and while officials are scrambling to clear debris, rescue and relief efforts are difficult amid the mountainous terrain, risk of landslides, and large distances.

Islamic Relief’s team on the ground is supporting local organisations to provide relief to survivors, including food, shelter and other items. The aid agency has also launched an appeal to raise £10 million to help with relief efforts, which Friday’s collection will go a long way to help reach.

Tufail Hussain, director, Islamic Relief UK comments: “The news of the earthquake in Morocco was devastating to hear, knowing that so many lives would be lost or ruined by this natural disaster.  Islamic Relief teams were quickly deployed to Morocco to work with local partners.

“However, none of what we do in the field would be possible without the amazing generosity of our donors and the community. In times of crisis you can always count on the Muslim community to pull together to help the less fortunate.”

Stephen O’Donnell calls on football fans to get active to feed hungry children with Mary’s Meals

The Scotland and Motherwell defender is asking people to set an active goal for the start of the new football season and raise funds for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals

Footballer Stephen O’Donnell, who has been capped by the Scotland national team 26 times, is calling on football fans to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ active fundraising challenge, Move For Meals.

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

By taking part in the charity’s Move For Meals challenge, supporters can turn their moves into meals and make a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.

From walking and running, to swimming and playing football – participants can take part in Move For Meals in any way they choose.

Stephen, who has played an important role in Motherwell’s strong start to the Scottish Premiership campaign, said: “As a footballer, I have a real passion for helping people have fun while they keep fit. That’s why I’m very excited to support Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, Move For Meals.

“By simply putting on your boots, grabbing a football and having a five-a-side kickabout with your mates, you can ask your friends and family for sponsorship to help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Marie Doyle, director of supporter engagement and income at Mary’s Meals, said: “We’re really thankful to Stephen for supporting our active fundraising challenge and sharing our goal of reaching the next hungry child.

“By taking part in Move For Meals, you can show off your football skills while making a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.”

Move For Meals will help children like Sebastian from Malawi, who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge that gives him energy to learn and play and allows him to have hope for the future.

Sebastian said: “I like the Mary’s Meals porridge as it provides me with the vital energy I need throughout the school day.

“For some of us who like playing sports after class, it becomes easier for us to enjoy the sports as we do not have to worry about going home to eat before participating in the games.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.

Signing up for Move For Meals couldn’t be easier. Find out more, including about accessing a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt at: marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals

Crumbs! Scotland’s National Chef takes the biscuit for Mary’s Meals

Gary Maclean celebrates National Biscuit Day by asking people to support charity 

This National Biscuit Day (Monday 29 May), celebrity chef Gary Maclean is calling on people to raise some dough by supporting the school feeding charity Mary’s Meals. 

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to more than 2.4 million children in 18 of the world’s poorest countries – including Ethiopia, Syria and South Sudan. The promise of a daily meal attracts children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope for the future.  

Gary, winner of 2016’s MasterChef: The Professionals, is supporting the charity’s Raise Some Dough campaign, which asks people to host a fundraising bake sale to help feed hungry children. 

The National Chef of Scotland says: “Today may be National Biscuit Day but, like many people, I enjoy a biscuit all year round. 

“That’s why baking is such a great way to raise money for Mary’s Meals – and to put a smile on the face of not only your friends, family and colleagues, but also the hungry children who rely on this wonderful charity.” 

People across the UK can download a free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack from the charity’s website, which includes a book packed full of tasty biscuit recipes from some of the UK’s favourite celebrities – including Stephen Fry, Dame Joanna Lumley, Ellie Taylor, Rosemary Shrager and Judy Murray. 

The charity will also send bakers a free mug-shaped cookie cutter, based on the mugs from which many children eat their daily serving of Mary’s Meals.  

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year, which means every penny raised through baking will help to transform young lives around the world. 

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “£19.15 can buy you 14 packets of chocolate digestives or 35 packs of my personal favourite, the ginger snap! It is also enough to feed a hungry child every day for a school year with Mary’s Meals. 

“By taking part in Raise Some Dough, you can enjoy biscuits with your friends and family, while feeding children in some of the world’s poorest countries. So please get baking!” 

Last November, Mary’s Meals ran a UK-wide survey which found that the digestive is the country’s favourite biscuit for dunking in a cuppa. 

The survey also revealed that one in three people have dunked their biscuit in someone else’s cuppa (33%); just 12% of respondents said they never dunk biscuits, with a further 12% saying they don’t eat biscuits. 

To order your free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack, please visit: marysmeals.org.uk/raise  

Gary Maclean’s Ginger Snap recipe 

You’ll need: 

300g Plain flour  
50g Fine oatmeal  
175g Soft brown sugar 
100g Unsalted butter  
1 Egg  
4 tbsp Golden syrup 
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda  
2 tsp Ground ginger  
This recipe works just as well with gluten free flour and non-dairy butter. 

Method: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C/350˚F. 
  2. Sieve the flour, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda in mixing bowl. 
  3. Add the fine oatmeal, next dice the butter and rub into the flour mix until crumbly. 
  4. Next, add the soft brown sugar, golden syrup and egg, mix well until it forms a firm doughy mixture. 
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ½ cm 1/8 inch thick. 
  6. Cut to your required size and place onto a non-stick tray. 
  7. Pop the tray into the preheated oven.
  8. Remove after 7 to 10 minutes or when golden.
  9. Cool and then serve. 

Mental health matters – owning pets ‘a lifeline’ for many during the cost of living crisis, says PDSA

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 21 May), a leading vet charity is advocating keeping pets and their owners together through the cost of living crisis.

Nearly all pet owners (94%) say that owning a pet makes them happy, according to new figures from the upcoming 2023 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report – and their support has been vital, especially as many people have been forced to make drastic cutbacks to stay afloat.

While worrying figures have shown that as many as 770,000 owners are going without necessities in order to keep caring for their pets, almost half of owners (44%) have also said that their four-legged friend has been a lifeline during the cost of living crisis.

Nearly all (90%) pet owners felt having a pet improved their lives, a comfort which is especially important as many feel the impact of the cost of living crisis. This figure is higher especially among dog (91%) and cat owners (89%).

The findings also highlight the benefits of having a pet on overall health, with 87% stating owning a pet makes them mentally healthier. While over two thirds (67%) feel it makes them physically healthier – a figure that is even higher among dog owners (86%).

Meanwhile, at a time where many people are having to juggle energy bills and soaring living costs, which can prove isolating, furry friends are essential when it comes to providing companionship. For example, the figures show that over four in five pet owners (85%) say that owning a pet makes them feel less lonely.

PDSA Veterinary Surgeon, Lynne James, said: “Pets are family, and we know that pet owners will go to great lengths to ensure they can continue to care for their beloved pets. It vitally important that with everything pets do for us, we make sure that they have everything they need to live healthy and happy lives.

“Our latest figures show pets are invaluable, especially when their owners are going through hardship. As the cost of living crisis worsens, the work of charities like ours becomes vital, not only to provide essential veterinary care, but also to keep pets and their owners together in their time of need.

“In 2022, we provided veterinary care for over 390,000 pets, whose owners would otherwise have struggled to afford the cost and may even have had to resort to other options such as rehoming – the mental health consequences of which are unimaginable.

“As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches, I’d like to encourage pet owners who are struggling due to rising costs, and who are concerned about being able to afford the cost of veterinary treatment to reach out to us. Our website includes a free eligibility checker to find out whether they’re able to access our services, which is a great place to start.

“We also have lots of free advice on how to reduce the cost of caring for pets, while ensuring they remain healthy and happy – something we hope will take a mental load off for many pet owners through the cost of living crisis.”

PDSA relies on donations to deliver life-saving treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. 

To help keep pets and people together, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision. 

To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost of loving crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis.

Edinburgh, step up this May for hungry children

Every step taken this National Walking Month can transform a life with Mary’s Meals

This May, Edinburgh residents are being encouraged to ‘step up’ and help Mary’s Meals feed more hungry children around the world.

During National Walking Month, the school feeding charity is calling on people to take part in its Move For Meals challenge, which encourages participants to raise sponsorship whilst keeping active.

Mary’s Meals serves a daily school meal to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom, giving them energy to learn and hope for a brighter future.

The charity reaches 2,429,182 children every school day in 18 countries, including South Sudan, Syria and Ethiopia.

Morven Macgillivray, supporter engagement manager at Mary’s Meals, says: “With the weather getting warmer and the days growing longer, everyone is keen to get outdoors and get some exercise!

“This National Walking Month, you can help to transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest children by simply getting active, making the most of the sunshine and signing up to Move for Meals.”

Throughout May, Mary’s Meals is asking people to walk 10,000 steps a day as part of the Move for Meals challenge.

Morven continues: “It costs just 10 pence to feed a child with Mary’s Meals. So even raising as little as £1 for every 10,000 steps you complete will provide 10 children with a nutritious meal and an education that can be their ladder out of poverty.

“Walking 10,000 steps a day is just a small change you can make that can have a big impact on a child’s life.

“I hope that as many people as possible in Edinburgh will pull on their walking shoes and step up to the challenge this May to help us keep our promise to the 2.4 million children we feed every day with Mary’s Meals.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.

Signing up for Move For Meals couldn’t be easier.

Find out more and get your free Mary’s Meals T-shirt at:

marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals 

Letters: Support NSPCC Scotland

Dear Editor, 

The NSPCC supports thousands of children in Scotland and the rest of the UK every week. 

Our practitioners help children and families through difficult times, our Childline counsellors help young people when they feel they have nowhere else to turn, while our Helpline staff offer support and advice to parents and carers and adults who are concerned about the safety of children. 

Locally, our campaigns teams and Schools Service staff and volunteers are working in communities to deliver workshops such as ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’ which shares vital messaging for adults and children to help prevent child neglect and abuse. 

Many people are surprised that the NSPCC relies on public donations for around 90 per cent of its funding, which makes our fundraising staff and volunteers essential to be able to continue our vital work. 

We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is making life financially difficult for many across the country and people may feel unable to support the NSPCC through a regular charitable donation. However, there is an alternative. 

By leaving a gift in your will to the NSPCC, you can help to share the most powerful legacy with future generations – the gift of a safe and happy childhood. You can help to make sure that more children are safe and supported.  

Your donation will help us stop abuse, neglect and exploitation. It will fund Childline and Helpline, education programmes in schools here in Scotland, and help us invest in community projects that support families facing tough times, equipping them with the skills to nurture happier childhoods. 

Details on how to leave a gift in your will to the NSPCC Scotland and ensure that we continue to be there for children for years to come are available at www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us  

Yours sincerely, 

Paul Cockram

Head of Fundraising, NSPCC Scotland

SNP Leadership contenders asked to commit to Safer Ageing in Scotland


Hourglass (Safer Ageing) calls on the SNP leadership contenders to support safer ageing

Hourglass has asked the three contenders for the Scottish National Party leadership to commit to safer ageing and to support older victim-survivors of abuse.

Older people are at risk of becoming victims of physical, financial, sexual or psychological abuse. Many others suffer abuse due to simple neglect. Older people are much less likely to report abuse and when they do the experience can be traumatic.

At present, insufficient data is collected on abuse of older people in Scotland. This lack of information is one reason this issue does not get the attention or resources it desperately needs.

Hourglass have called on the three leadership contenders Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf to commit to the following actions if they become the Scottish First Minister:

1.            Collecting all relevant data on the abuse of older people.
2.            Develop a safer ageing strategy for Scotland
3.            Host a Safer Ageing forum with Hourglass at Holyrood later this year. 

Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass said: “The Scottish Government need to take action to prevent abuse of older people.

“The first step is to collect the data on reported abuse. The second is to develop a safer ageing strategy which will outline how the Scottish Government intend to tackle this problem. Thirdly, this is an issue that is seldom talked about. We need the Scottish Government to work with us to raise awareness of this issue.

“Hourglass (Safer Ageing) is the only charity in Scotland that specialises in supporting older victims of abuse. We have nearly 30 years of working in Scotland and throughout the UK and Ireland, where we have continued to see an increase in demand for our services.”

George Foulkes, Hourglass Patron said: “We have an ageing population and the next First Minister of Scotland needs to be to take this seriously.

“The Scottish Government need a safer ageing strategy to protect older people from abuse and neglect.”

The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to make a donation by visiting https://wearehourglass.org/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.

Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.

If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.