Tag: charity fundraiser

Callum set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon

Scot set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon this year in support of motor neuron disease charity 

Callum Steell, 34, will take on the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon on 10 October  2026 in support of MND Scotland, and for his mother, Karen, who is living with motor  neuron disease. 

Callum lives with his wife, Clare, and works in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, for Charles  Tennant – a leading independent chemical manufacturer. 

In June 2024, Callum’s mother, Karen, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease  (MND).  

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the  brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob  someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe.  

Speaking about his mother’s diagnosis, Callum said, “My mum had been struggling with  her speech and mobility for some time. It took about two and a half years of tests, and  various hospital and doctor appointments before they could get to the bottom of it.” 

MND affects everyone differently. A person may not develop all the symptoms, and  their symptoms may progress at a different rate to someone else with MND. 

Following her MND diagnosis, Karen made adaptations to her home, including her bed room and bathroom, to make things a bit easier going forward. She’s also had a recliner  installed at home, has been reviewing wheelchair options, and banked her voice. 

Callum said, “My mum is still able to get out and about and do plenty, which we are ex tremely grateful for, because we know others aren’t as fortunate. But we know how  quickly things can change.”  

In support of his mum and other families affected by MND, Callum will take on the GB  Ultra Marathon event from Glasgow to Edinburgh on 10 October to help raise funds for  MND Scotland.  

He said, “It starts at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, just along from the West End,  and then heads out the canal roads and finishes at Saughton Sports Complex in Edinburgh.”

Callum has been following a vigorous training routine to help prepare for the challenge,  “I’m trying to build up the distance as much as possible each week. I’m currently running between 60km per week and at my peak the week out from the race, that will be up  to nearly 85km all in.

“This involves not only long-distance runs, but also strength sessions to keep the mus cles as strong as possible. Recovery also fits into that too, all the while balancing a busy  work and family life.” 

Callum will take in a total of 57miles (92km) and an elevation of 231m as part of the  challenge.  

Some of Callum’s friends from the gym he attends took part in the Ultra Marathon last  year in the hope of completing a personal challenge. This gave him the idea to take part  for his mum and to help raise vital funds for MND Scotland to help other families af fected by the disease and to support MND research. 

This isn’t the first time Callum has raised funds for MND Scotland. In 2025, he partici pated in and completed the Manchester Marathon and helped to raise £2,000 for MND  Scotland.  

Callum said, “I have had a personal trainer for the last couple of years now. I’ve always  been quite competitive, so I want to try and complete it in as best a time as possible. 

“My mum is always so proud that I’m taking on the challenge, which is so nice to hear.” 

MND Scotland would like to thank Callum for his support in the upcoming Glasgow to  Edinburgh Ultra Marathon and wish him the best of luck in his training. 

If you would like to support his challenge by donating, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/callum-steell-2

To make time count for families affected by MND by taking on your own challenge and  help raise funds, please visit www.mndscotland.org.uk or email:

fundraising@mnscotland.org.uk for more information.

Edge Paddleboard Minibus Fundraiser

50+ miles. Two days. Talented paddle boarding. One extraordinary team.

This Thursday and Friday , an incredible group of people supported by EDGE took on on a challenge that many would consider almost unimaginable — paddling more than 50 miles over two days on one Mega-SUP, while raising funds towards a much-needed mini van.

My brother Abdul-Wahid is turning the big 30 this October and is taking on a fundraising paddleboarding challenge for Edge! 🏄‍♂️

Edge has supported Abdul-Wahid through the pandemic, helping him find purpose, travel to dream destinations, make lifelong friends and learn new skills. More recently, they have supported him through the heartbreaking loss of our beloved father.

We’re incredibly grateful for everything Edge has done for him.

Please support Abdul-Wahid’s challenge if you can. ❤️

But this story isn’t really about how far they can paddle. It’s about what can happen when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to believe in themselves.

Over recent weeks, the team has trained tirelessly, developing teamwork, communication, resilience, coordination and problem-solving skills. They have faced difficult weather, adapted when plans changed and continued to work together towards their goal.

Their determination and commitment have been truly extraordinary.

The expedition is also raising vital funds towards a mini van for EDGE. Accessible transport would make an enormous difference to the people supported by the organisation, helping them access activities, connect with their local community, develop independence and enjoy opportunities that many of us simply take for granted.

We believe this deserves to be more than just a fundraising story. It is a story about inclusion, possibility and challenging perceptions — and about celebrating the remarkable achievements of people who are too often underestimated.

The team has already shown what they can achieve. Now they are ready to take on the water, together, as one crew.

We would be incredibly grateful if you would consider sharing their story with your readers and helping us raise awareness of both their incredible achievement and the importance of the mini-van fundraiser.

More information about the expedition can be found here:

https://www.edgegroupscotland.com/edge-to-edge-expedition

The fundraising page is here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/edge-to-edge-expedition-10-years-of-going-further

They have trained. They have prepared. They have believed in themselves. Now it’s time to paddle. 🌊💙

Proud Big Sister Khadijah Shahid 

Underbelly raises £20,000 for Brain Cancer Research through Big Brain Tumour Benefit

  • The eighth annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £20,000 for groundbreaking research into new treatments for brain tumours.
  • Eight acts performed for this year’s benefit: Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Rhys James, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Emmanuel Sonubi, Felicity Ward and Justin Moorhouse.

Underbelly announces the 8th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £20,000 for Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab at The Cancer Research Centre in Cambridge, helping to fund new treatments for the most aggressive forms of brain tumours in children.

This year’s star-studded lineup included performances from Nish Kumar, Rhys James, Rosie Jones, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Emmanuel Sonubi, Felicity Ward and Justin Moorhouse.

Underbelly created the Big Brain Tumour Benefit in 2017 following co-founder Ed Bartlam’s son Alfie being diagnosed with Ependymoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Alfie passed away two years later, at the age of seven. 100% of the profits from the Big Brain Tumour Benefit will be donated to Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab to fund brain cancer research.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: I am so grateful to everyone who attended Underbelly’s 8th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit last night, and to the fantastic line up of comedians who gave their time and talent to make it such a success.

“It’s incredible that as a community we have raised more than £20,000, with all of the funds going to Professor Richard Gilbertson’s lab and directly funding cutting-edge tumour prevention and treatment.

“The Big Brain Tumour Benefit is always such a special night, and together we can continue to raise vital funds that save lives.”

Professor Richard Gilbertson said: “We are truly excited and humbled by the amazing partnership with Underbelly and Angel Child. Everyday, we work to end the devastation caused to children and their families by brain tumours.

“We will accept nothing less than total eradication of these devastating childhood cancers. Thanks to the support we have already received we are about to take a completely new therapy to the clinic.

“We could not have done this without Underbelly and Angel Child. Together with our collaborators, we have developed a number of other, completely new and kinder treatments, taking us even closer the day when no child will suffer or die from a brain tumour.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

The principal aim of Professor Richard Gilbertson’s Lab is to improve the accuracy of brain tumour classification and treatment, with a particular focus on children’s brain tumours.

Their research involves conducting genomic analyses of brain tumours to identify cancer-causing abnormalities, and using that knowledge to develop effective new cancer cures through clinical trials of molecular targeted therapies.

Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show. For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.

Big names announced for Underbelly’s 8th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit

  • Underbelly announces 8 acts for the Big Brain Tumour Benefit: Nish Kumar, Rhys James, Rosie Jones, Larry Dean, Catherine Bohart, Emmanuel Sonubi, Felicity Ward and Justin Moorhouse.
  • Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit takes place on Wednesday 19 August, 7pm at McEwan Hall, Underbelly Bristo Square.
  • All box office income (less VAT and commissions) will be donated to Professor Richard Gilbertson’s Lab at The Cancer Research Centre in Cambridge, helping to fund new treatments for the most aggressive forms of brain tumours in children.
  • Underbelly’s Big Brain Benefit shows have to date raised over £200,000, contributing to over £800,000 raised by Underbelly and Ed & Lucinda Bartlam’s Angel Child Fund since its inception.

Underbelly announces a line-up of comedy acts for the 8th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit. The event will take place at 7:00pm in the McEwan Hall on Wednesday 19 August.

Starring in this year’s show is critically acclaimed comic Nish Kumar, Mock the Week regular Rhys James, award-winning stand-up comedian Rosie Jones, comic and SNL UK cast member Larry Dean.

They will be joined by Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Show nominees, Emmanuel Sonubi (Live at the Apollo) and Irish stand-up comedian and radio host Catherine Bohart (TL;DR, BBC Radio 4). Australian comedian and actress, Felicity Ward (Spicks and Specks, Thank God You’re Here) will also make an appearance. The event will be hosted by stand-up comedian and radio DJ Justin Moorhouse.

The show was created by Underbelly in 2017 following the diagnosis of an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called Ependymoma in Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam. Alfie sadly died, aged 7, three days after the end of the festival in 2019.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: “It’s always such a special moment for us to announce the line-up to Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the brilliant comedians and audiences for continuing to generously support this event. This year’s show marks the start of an incredibly exciting new fundraising drive for us, supporting the work of world-leading oncologist Professor Richard Gilbertson and his lab at the Cancer Research Centre in Cambridge.

“Underbelly and our wider Angel Child Fund will be fundraising for two new, groundbreaking projects that Professor Gilbertson and his team are working on to find cures for brain tumours in children. There is genuinely no better person for us (and you the audience!) to be supporting in this field and we’re thrilled to launch this partnership at the show this year.”

Festival goers can purchase tickets for Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit today at: underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/events/event/underbellys-big-brain-tumour-benefit-25

PICTURED: Rosie Jones (Top Left), Nish Kumar (Credit: Matt Stronge, Top Right), Rhys James (Credit: Matt Crockett, Bottom Left), Catherine Bohart (Bottom Right).

Sign up for Portobello Beach Race

SUNDAY 30th AUGUST at 10am

🌊🏃 Portobello Beach Race 2026 🏃‍♀️🌊

Join Portobello Running Club on Sunday 30 August at 10:00am for four miles of racing along Portobello Beach at low tide.

Every finisher will receive a bespoke wooden Portobello Beach Race keyring as a lasting memento of the day.

All proceeds will support two fantastic good causes:

❤️ Equal access to sporting enrichment activities at Towerbank Primary School
❤️ Fresh Start, helping people who have experienced homelessness establish themselves in their new homes

There is plenty more to look forward to:

🏆 £50 Up & Running vouchers for both our male and female winners
🎁 More fantastic winners’ prizes
🎉 A huge variety of spot prizes, giving runners throughout the field the chance to win
🎟️ A raffle featuring more than £400 worth of prizes
🍰 A delicious community bake sale

The race is friendly, inclusive and welcoming to runners of all abilities. Come along to race, support brilliant local causes and enjoy a fantastic morning on the beach!

Entry is £10:

https://www.entrycentral.com/Portobello-Beach-Race

Please share the event and help us make this year’s Portobello Beach Race our best yet!

Driving change, one swing at a time for Capability Scotland

Golfers tee off for fundraising boost

MORE THAN 65 golfers gathered at Dalmahoy West Golf Course to raise £21,500 for a transformational project that will support disabled people and their families across Scotland.

Held in association with Truscott Property, Capability Scotland’s Annual Golf Day brought together businesses, supporters and charity champions for a day of competition and fundraising .

Funds raised will support the charity’s Our Inclusive Community Project in Perth, the largest and most ambitious development in Capability Scotland’s 80-year history.

The project will create a state-of-the-art residential and day service alongside a community hub featuring a hydrotherapy pool, accessible gym, sensory room and a range of accessible facilities designed to support disabled people from across Scotland.

Ailsa Wallace, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Capability Scotland, said: “The support shown by everyone who took part was incredible and will make a genuine difference to the future of disability support in Scotland.

“Every pound raised brings us closer to delivering a facility that will offer opportunities, independence and community connections for disabled people and their families.

“Our Inclusive Community Project is the most ambitious development in our history and events like this play a vital role in helping turn that vision into reality. We are hugely grateful to everyone who supported the day.”

Planning permission for the Perth development has now been submitted, with construction expected to begin in January 2027.

Once complete, the project will serve people from communities across Scotland, creating a national resource designed around accessibility, inclusion and wellbeing.

Teams competed throughout the day in a Texas Scramble format, with golfers also taking part in a series of on-course challenges, including Closest to the Hole and Longest Drive. The day concluded with an after-dinner appearance from footballing legends Gordon Smith and John Brownlie.

A raffle and auction helped boost fundraising further, while a number of businesses supported the event through sponsorship and participation.

Stephen Truscott, Director of Truscott Property, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together behind such an important cause.

“Our Inclusive Community Project will have a lasting impact on disabled people and their families, and we are proud to support Capability Scotland as it works to deliver this ambitious vision.

“The generosity shown throughout the day demonstrates what can be achieved when businesses and communities work together to create meaningful change.”

The annual golf day has become a popular fixture in Capability Scotland’s fundraising calendar, helping generate support for projects that improve the lives of disabled people across the country.

This year’s event marked another significant step towards delivering a development that will benefit generations of people and families in the years ahead.

To find out more about Capability Scotland, visit: https://www.capability.scot/

Lisa and House of Hope Heroes go over the edge to raise funds for people impacted by breast cancer

Founder and CEO of Edinburgh-based The House of Hope, Lisa Fleming and her teenage son Cameron, took on the ultimate fundraising challenge with a 100ft abseil down the Port of Leith Distillery, to raise money for The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated support and wellbeing centre for people impacted by breast cancer and their families.

Lisa, who lives with secondary breast cancer, was joined by a team of ten superheroes and supporters from The House of Hope, to go above, beyond and over the edge to collectively raise a massive £8,500.

All funds raised will go directly towards delivering wellbeing and holistic services and support at the House of Hope, based on Gorgie Road, which opened its doors to the local community in June 2025.

A truly remarkable achievement for Lisa, who when she was first diagnosed, discovered that cancer had already spread from the breast to every bone in her body and she has gone through 19 operations including brain and spine surgery.

Lisa said: “I think I’m still in a bit of disbelief. If you’d have told the girl who sat in the Western General oncology unit, with her life in bits almost nine years ago, that she would still be alive, let alone completed a challenge like that I would never have believed you.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their generosity and all of the hard work that went into making the event happen.  For me the hero of the day was my son, Cammy.

“We were up first, together and I will never forget the look of fear in his eyes, but he showed absolute resilience and bravely fought through it and absolutely smashed it! I’m so proud of him and what we’ve achieved together.”

The House of Hope was borne out of Lisa’s vision to create wellbeing and holistic support provision, within her hometown of Edinburgh and she remains dedicated to providing a safe haven for people impacted by breast cancer to access vital services outside of a clinical setting.

The House of Hope celebrates its first anniversary in June 2026 and has delivered support to over 200 people and their families impacted by breast cancer. 

To mark the anniversary, a 1k Your Way challenge has been launched to encourage supporters to do 1k every day for 30 days in June any way they like – whether that’s running, walking, cycling or even rowing, whatever gets it done! – to raise money to support people impacted by breast cancer. 

Bands 4 Hope gig set to raise funds for The House of Hope

Talented local musicians Annie and the Jays, Heads Up, Ben Lauder and Cora Manchester are joining forces for a Bands 4 Hope gig at Cold Town House on 9th May, to raise funds for Edinburgh based The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated support and wellbeing centre for people impacted by breast cancer.

Inspired by their mum Cat MacLean’s breast cancer journey, Annie (31) and George Liddle (27) – from Annie and the Jays – wanted to give back and say thank you to The House of Hope for the incredible support their mum receives and felt a live music gig was a fitting way to do this, given their family’s musical talent.

Annie and George’s dad, Gordon Liddle, was the drummer in chart topping 1970s band Bilbo Baggins and George followed in his footsteps as the drummer in Annie and the Jays, with Annie as the lead singer.

Mum of three, Cat MacLean aged 59, from Edinburgh was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2013 and went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a lumpectomy. A keen runner, Cat kept up her training all the way through chemo and successfully ran a half marathon that year.

For the next nine years Cat largely forgot that she’d had cancer; however in 2022 she developed a slight niggle in her back, which wasn’t painful but bothered her from time to time. Following a chest X-Ray, Cat was sent for a CT scan which showed a lesion on her lung and after further examination it revealed a large lesion in her vertebral spine and was eventually given a secondary breast cancer diagnosis. 

Cat has spent the last three years undergoing treatment, but is living well and leading a fulfilled life. She can no longer work, but took up jewellery making, choir, and wild swimming, which were absolutely brilliant for her from a mental and physical health perspective.

In 2023 Cat was diagnosed with brain mets and began having regular MRI scans, targeted radiotherapy and then last year she was moved onto oral chemotherapy and is currently managing the challenging side effects of this treatment.

Cat has been using the wellbeing services at The House of Hope since it opened its doors in June 2025, which she describes as ‘a real lifeline and a fantastic space to meet like-minded people and unwind while going through treatment.’

Annie Liddle said: “My mum is a true inspiration and the support she has received from The House of Hope has been fantastic during her treatment, so we wanted to give back and say thank you. 

“Music is in our blood, so it was a natural way for us to help raise funds by collaborating with other local talent to put on a live music gig to help raise funds and awareness and celebrate my mum’s courageous journey.”

The Bands 4 Hope gig takes place on Saturday 9th May at Cold Town House and tickets are available on The House of Hope website, with all proceeds going directly to fund wellbeing services for those impacted by breast cancer.

Visit houseofhope.org.uk for further information.

Take On Edinburgh’s Most Unique Aquathlon: 2026 Victorian Pool Crawl Applications Open

75 Participants Sought for Charity Challenge Across Five Victorian Pools This Easter Monday

Who’s ready for their next adventure? Edinburgh Leisure is calling on spirited individuals for the 2026 Victorian Pool Crawl!

It’s a one-of-a-kind aquathlon-style charity fundraiser, taking place on Easter Monday, 6th April 2026, across the city’s five beautiful Victorian swimming pools. Challengers will swim in each pool and then walk to the next, in doing so covering a half-marathon distance whilst raising essential funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme.

Applications are now open for one of the 75 available places.

Event Details & Registration

Participants will swim up to 1 km at each of the five Victorian pools walk a total of 16 km, in one challenging, inspiring day. Each applicant is asked to secure a minimum of £350 in donations, with all proceeds supporting Active Communities, Edinburgh Leisure’s charity programme which supports people with barriers to being active.

Once accepted, a £20 registration fee secures your spot on the Pool Crawl. Every participant will receive an exclusive event t-shirt, swim cap, locker token, swim training plan, finisher’s goody bag, and entry to a prize draw for a year’s Edinburgh Leisure Swim Membership.

Why Support Active Communities?

Yearly, over 14,700 local people benefit from Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme, which offers activities and support to those facing poverty, disabilities, health challenges, and other inequalities.

This Easter Monday, your efforts will help create healthier, more active lives for our neighbours who need it most.

“Active Communities is at the heart of our mission to transform Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing. Every year we help thousands of people across the city overcome barriers to being active by accessing the support and activities they need for a healthier life” says Rachael McCrea, Head of Funding.

“The Victorian Pool Crawl is not only a celebration of our city’s heritage pools, but also a vital fundraiser. We’re excited to welcome a new group of participants to make a real difference this year.”

Returning participant Marek Bernat told us, “Completing the final lane last year was tough, but extremely rewarding.

“We all knew our efforts would help fund local community programmes, and that was a true highlight. It’s an unforgettable challenge.”