Tesco Express store managers throughout Edinburgh will be taking part in the Kiltwalk
Any funds raised will go to St Columba’s Hospice
Funds will help St Columba’s staff continue delivering end of life care
Managers from several Tesco Express stores in Edinburgh will walk more than 11 miles to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice at this year’s Edinburgh Kiltwalk.
They will be lacing up their walking boots and donning kilts to take on the route from Musselburgh, through the capital, to the finish line at Murrayfield on Sunday 13 September.
Since 2016, the Kiltwalk has brought together more than 216,000 people and raised millions of pounds for good causes across the country.
All money raised by the group will be donated to St Columba’s Hospice, helping it continue to provide important end-of-life care to people in and around Edinburgh, while also supporting their families.
Jonny Hunter, Store Manager at Tesco Haymarket Express, said: “The team at St Columba’s Hospice are fantastic, so we are more than happy to help in any way we can.
“I’m extremely proud of my fellow store managers for going the extra mile to raise funds for a vital service that supports so many people in the local area.”
Amanda Southey, Partnerships Fundraiser at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “A huge thank you to the managers at Tesco for their wonderful fundraising and support.
“It’s thanks to the generosity of local businesses and our community that we can continue to be there for patients and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing care, compassion and support when it matters most.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done for us.”
Could You Take on A Kiltwalk for Bereaved Families This September?
Bereavement charity Child Bereavement UK is calling on people to take part in the Dundee Kiltwalk
Participants can raise as much as they like with no minimum sponsorship
Child Bereavement UK, the largest provider of grief support for when a child grieves or when a child dies, is calling on the local community in Edinburgh to take part in a sponsored Kiltwalk on Sunday, September 13th.
The charity is mustering well-travelled trekkers or fledgling footsloggers to don their kilts and take part in the Kiltwalk in Dundee to raise awareness and money for the support available to bereaved children and parents in Scotland.
Child Bereavement UK is the largest provider of bereavement support to grieving young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child, supporting families throughout the UK when a child grieves or when a child dies.
The Kiltwalk in Edinburgh offers participants the chance to enjoy beautiful city scenery while raising money for Child Bereavement UK. Walkers can choose between three challenge route distances, a 4.3-mile Wee Wander route, a 11.2 Big Stroll or a 20-mile Mighty Stride walk, making the event suitable for families and people of different ages and fitness levels.
Participants can take part with friends, family, or on their own, and there is no minimum fundraising target. Everyone who takes part receives a range of benefits, including a walker’s guide, a Kiltwalk finisher’s medal, snacks and refreshments, and plenty of entertainment and encouragement along the route.
The charity also provides a welcome email, fundraising pack, branded top, and support from a dedicated fundraising team to help participants make the most of their experience.
Kerry Waite, Events and Mass Participation Manager at Child Bereavement UK, comments, “The Edinburgh Kiltwalk is one of the most exciting events we have in our calendar, taking participants on an incredible journey with lovely scenery.
“So many people who come and get involved are themselves bereaved, either as young people or as bereaved parents, and they take this opportunity to walk in memory of their important person and in recognition of the tremendous steps through grief they have already undertaken.
“We hope that this important event will not only raise vital funds to support these people and families and also raise awareness of bereavement in childhood and for parents.”
The registration fee is nominal and starts from £7 for children and up to £20 for adults, with participants encouraged to raise as much as they can for the charity.
If you would like to summon your clan and take part in the Dundee Kiltwalk then please visit the dedicated page on the Child Bereavement UK website. There is also another Kiltwalk taking part in Edinburgh on the 13th of September that is also open for registration.
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We offer free, UK-wide, accessible online grief support to children and young people (up to 25) and parents bereaved of a baby or child.
Our trained bereavement specialists are available to speak with Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm (excluding bank holidays) by phone, email, text and WhatsApp, or via our website – childbereavementuk.org
A local cancer charity which harnesses the support of the Edinburgh business community is seeking to surpass the one-million-pound mark at an annual fund-raising event being staged in the capital later this summer.
Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh has raised over £900,000 for vital life-saving cancer research since its inception in 2019. The charity is now inviting people to take part in its sponsored walk of the city’s Seven Hills on 28 August where it hopes to take its level of fund-raising into seven figures.
The Seven Hills Challenge is a 14-mile charity walk covering the seven iconic peaks surrounding Edinburgh —Arthur’s Seat, Castle Rock, Calton Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Braid Hill, and Blackford Hill. The event is one of the major annual fundraisers championed by Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh in support of Cancer Research UK.
Participants raise money to fund vital clinical trials and scientific research to fight cancer. Individuals, teams, and corporate groups are invited to get involved in the Challenge by signing up directly through the official Cancer Research UK website.
Among those who will be walking the Seven Hills will be Andrew Walker and his wife Debby from Bo’ness. Their daughter Anna died in March 2025, aged 25, after battling a rare cancer of the adrenal gland. Last year’s event, which attracted more than 200 people, raising over £60,000 for locally-focused cancer research, was dedicated to her memory.
Andrew said: “The 2025 challenge was completed in memory of Anna who herself took part in the event in 2023. It was an amazing day, emotionally and physically, when so many people came together to help make a difference – we felt Anna with us every mile of the route.
“We want to continue to support Cancer Research inspired by Anna so that others may benefit from future improvements in our understanding of the cause of cancer and breakthroughs in preventative treatment. Every step forward across the Seven Hills is a step towards realising that ambition.”
Lou Kiddier, chair of Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh, said: “Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh is the UK leader in its fundraising efforts for cancer research and at this summer’s Seven Hills Challenge we aim to hit a new high by surpassing the £1m mark.
“To ensure we can achieve this ambitious target, we are calling on people across Edinburgh to come forward and take part in this event by signing up, either as an individual or part of a team.
“While it is a tough pursuit, the Seven Hills Challenge covers a beautiful route and, more importantly, it raises crucial funds that will help bring us closer to a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
More details about how to register for this year’s Seven Hills Challenge can be found here
‘We felt it was only right to get married in front of the bridge where we got engaged’
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has brought joy to those seeking adventure and has raised nearly half-a-million pounds for Scotland’s leading children’s charity. And now, a precious few are once again able to stand atop the iconic Forth Bridge to help make childhoods across Scotland happier, healthier, and more hopeful.
Barnardo’s Scotland’s ‘Your View at the Forth Bridge’ event, run in conjunction with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty allows members of the public one of the most sought after and unique experiences in Scotland – namely the chance to ascend 361 feet up the historic bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline.
One couple who have already enjoyed the Your View experience are Laura, 36, and Connor Robertson, 33, from Armadale, in West Lothian. The couple got engaged atop the Forth Bridge two years ago when Connor got down on one knee – much to Laura’s shock!
Laura said: “The proposal was a complete surprise! Connor didn’t even tell me that we were doing the bridge viewing until we arrived in the car park, so the whole day was a pleasant surprise from start to finish.
“Your View was one of the best things we’ve done together – getting to be up on top of the bridge and taking in some of the most amazing sights.
“I’d recommend it to anyone. The volunteers were amazing, from getting history about the bridge being built, to the friendly and helpful staff joining you as you make your way up in the hoist.
“It was a day we will never forget. Barnardo’s is an incredible charity and we’re over the moon that all of the money from tickets goes straight towards the great work that they do in Scotland.”
The couple got married in South Queensferry on Saturday, 7 March this year… with a familiar sight in the background of some of their wedding photographs.
Laura adds: “We felt it was only right to get married in front of the Forth Bridge where we got engaged, so it really was a full-circle moment getting to tie the knot with our special place on view!
“And, to top it off, our little boy Noah, who is now three, was at the wedding too, and he had an absolute ball!”
Your View 2026 will take place from Friday, 18 September to Sunday, 20 September, with tickets on sale now.
To date, more than 7,000 visitors have experienced the event and there have been around a dozen marriage proposals on the vertiginous viewing platform.
Best of all, though, the event has raised more than £450,000 to fund the work of Barnardo’s Scotland. To find out more, or to book tickets for the event, please visit:
Michele Janes, the Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “As I step into my new role in Scotland, I’m struck by how the Your View event captures the very best of what Scotland offers: breathtaking beauty, a sense of possibility and experiences that stay with you long after you’ve come back down to earth.
“The view from the top of the Forth Bridge is a reminder of what can be achieved when ambition, engineering brilliance and community spirit come together.
“It’s a unique opportunity for people to see Scotland from a new perspective, connecting them to the scale of the possible, while supporting the potential of children and families across the country.”
Alan Ross, Network Rail Scotland’s Director of Engineering and Asset Management, added: added: “The Forth Bridge is one of Scotland’s most cherished and recognisable landmarks, and we’re proud to once again support an event that allows people to experience it in such a unique way.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that this special opportunity not only gives visitors a remarkable perspective of the bridge, but also helps raise vital funds for Barnardo’s Scotland and the important work they do with children and families.
“We’d also like to offer our congratulations to Laura and Connor. We’re delighted that the Forth Bridge continues to play such a meaningful role in their story.”
Colin Hardie, Construction Superintendent for Balfour Beatty, said: “At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve.
“The Your View event is one example of how we do just that, raising valuable funds to support children and families in Scotland. It has been an honour to work alongside Barnardo’s Scotland once again, to offer members of the public this memorable experience on one of the most iconic, unique and admired structures in the world – the Forth Bridge.”
Also featuring over the weekend will be the famous ‘Briggers’. The Briggers are a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers based in South Queensferry. Named after the bridge workers, the group was formed to identify the names of the 73 men and boys who died constructing the Forth Bridge, they provide details on the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction.
For more information on this year’s Your View event, please visit:
At Barnardo’s, our purpose is clear: Changing childhoods and changing lives, so that children, young people, and families are safe, happy, healthy, and hopeful. Last year, we worked with thousands of children across Scotland through more than 150 services and partnerships.
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we provided essential support to 373,200 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 800 services and partnerships across the UK. This included 150-plus services in Scotland.
For more than 150 years, we’ve been here for the children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong.
Housebuilder staff brave mud and obstacles to support young people into education and employment
Eleven members of staff from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland have raised £8,000 for Scran Academy, an Edinburgh catering social enterprise that supports school-aged young people facing poverty and trauma to engage in education and employment.
The funds were raised through the team’s completion of the Tough Mudder obstacle course challenge, with parent company Barratt Redrow match funding the £4,000 raised on the day.
The Tough Mudder team, drawn from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland and Oregon Timber Frame, a Selkirk-based timber manufacturer acquired by Barratt Redrow in 2022, took on the course, battling mud pits, physical obstacles and teamwork challenges across the course’s demanding terrain.
Scran Academy is a youth-led catering social enterprise on a mission to help every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life. The organisation was selected as Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland’s charity partner of the year for 2026/27.
Yvonne Barrie, Regional Finance Managerfor Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland said: “Taking on the Tough Mudder is never easy, but having colleagues alongside you makes all the difference.
“The team gave everything on the day and the spirit throughout was brilliant. Raising £8,000 for Scran Academy makes it all worthwhile.
“The work they do to support young people through food education is genuinely important, and we’re proud that our fundraising can play a part in that.”
Through the match funding programme by the Barratt Redrow Foundation, every pound raised by the team on the day has been doubled, meaning Scran Academy will receive £8,000 to support its work helping young people across Edinburgh into education and employment.
For further information about Barratt and David Wilson Homes visit:
We wanted to share a quick update about our upcoming sponsored walk planned for 30th May.
Unfortunately we’ve had to make the difficult decision to postpone the event until August.
This is due to a couple of challenges we’ve faced recently. Our minibus has been badly vandalised and is currently out of action for the foreseeable future which has significantly impacted our plans. On top of that, we haven’t yet managed to raise enough funds to make the event as worthwhile as we’d hoped.
We’re really disappointed to delay, but we hope you understand that this is the right decision for now.
For those who have already kindly sponsored us, thank you so much for your support — it truly means a lot. If you have any questions about what this change means please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
We’re still very much looking forward to completing the walk in August and continuing our fundraising efforts.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.
A West Lothian woman living with aggressive brain cancer is taking on a 100km canoe challenge to help fund a cure.
Hannah King-Page, 43, from Broxburn, will paddle coast-to-coast through the Scottish Highlands along the Great Glen Canoe Trail from 7 to 11 May as part of a team of six to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
The challenge will see Hannah and her team wild camp along the route as they navigate canals, lochs and open water, including the vast expanse of Loch Ness.
Hannah, a former physiotherapist who was forced to retire due to ill health, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous form of brain tumour, in 2020 after suffering a seizure at work.
More than five years on, she has outlived the 12-to-18-month prognosis that this tumour type carries. Her tumour remains stable, but she continues to live with the lasting effects of the disease.
Hannah said: “Taking on this challenge is about making the most of the time I have and doing something positive. It gives me purpose and a focus, while raising awareness of a disease that needs far more attention.
“I feel incredibly fortunate that things have remained stable for me, especially when I know so many others aren’t as lucky. But there’s also a sense of guilt that comes with that, because I’m very aware that other people I’ve met through the brain tumour community are facing progression or going through treatment again. It’s not success – it’s just that I’m still here, and I don’t take that for granted.
“Day-to-day life has changed completely since my diagnosis. I live with chronic fatigue, and there are times when it can completely wipe me out for no real reason. I also have some cognitive difficulties – I lose my words or struggle to process things as quickly as I used to.
“There are good days where I feel like I can take on anything, and then there are days where even simple things feel much harder. It’s about learning to listen to your body and adapting to a new normal.”
Hannah will be joined by a group of friends, coming together as ‘Paddles for Progress’ for the challenge, who she met while trekking 50km across the Sahara Desert last year.
Together they raised more than £90,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
The team includes Hariette Small, 46, a Welsh teacher living in Berkshire, who is taking part in memory of a close family friend who died from a brain tumour aged just eight; Hayley Firth, 48, and Amy Firth, 24, from Bedfordshire, who are fundraising in memory of their nephew and cousin, George Fox, who died aged 13; and Claire Cordiner, 57, from Edinburgh, whose family has been devastated by brain tumours, losing four loved ones to the disease.
Also taking part are Hannah’s cousin Sarah Martin, 55, and Gary Balkham, 62, both from Bristol, who share a close personal connection to her journey.
“Meeting the group in the Sahara was such a powerful experience,” Hannah said. “We all came together because of brain tumours, but what we built out there was something much deeper.
“We supported each other through a really tough challenge, and that created a bond that’s hard to explain unless you’ve been through it. We knew we wanted to do something together again, and this felt like the perfect opportunity.”
The group’s latest challenge will take them on a coast-to-coast journey through the Scottish Highlands along the Great Glen Canoe Trail, travelling from Banavie, near Fort William, to Clachnaharry, Inverness, on a demanding multi-day route that combines inland waterways with large open lochs.
Despite her experience with outdoor challenges, Hannah admits she will need to carefully manage her condition throughout the journey.
Hannah said: “For me, the biggest challenge will be managing my fatigue. Physically, I know I can push myself, but living with a brain tumour means I have to be honest about my limits.
“I’ve learned that I need to speak up if I’m struggling or need to slow down, and that’s something I’ll have to be really mindful of during the challenge. It’s about finding that balance between pushing myself and looking after my health.”
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age and there are more than 100 different types of primary brain tumour, making them notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Through her fundraising group, Hannah’s Kingdom, she has already helped raise more than £36,000 for Brain Tumour Research, funding 13 days of vital research into the disease.
This includes work carried out at centres such as the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, focused on finding kinder treatments and, ultimately, a cure for glioblastoma – the same type of tumour Hannah is living with.
Hannah added: “Fundraising has become such an important part of my life since my diagnosis. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of family and friends who have gone above and beyond to help raise money, whether that’s through events, challenges or donations. It’s amazing to know that what we’re doing is helping to fund research, but at the same time it highlights how much more is needed.
“We’ve all got a brain, yet brain tumours receive just 1% of the national spend on cancer research. Treatments for high-grade tumours like mine haven’t really changed in decades, and that’s something that needs urgent attention. While I’m still here and able, I want to keep raising awareness and using my voice to push for better outcomes for people diagnosed in the future.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Hannah’s determination to take on such a demanding challenge while living with a brain tumour is incredibly inspiring and we are so grateful for her continued support.
“Her story highlights not only the resilience of those affected by this disease, but also the urgent need for greater investment in research. We have a whole team of scientists at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence dedicated to finding better outcomes for glioblastoma but we desperately need more funding.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
To support the “Paddle for Progress” team’s fundraising challenge, visit:
In a fitting tribute to Star Wars Day, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has announced that this year’s Capital Sci-Fi Con raised more than £64,000 to support its vital work across the country.
Held annually at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, the convention returned in February, welcoming sci-fi fans from across the UK for a weekend packed with celebrity appearances, cosplay, and immersive fan experiences.
This year’s star-studded line-up included Pirates of the Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, Game of Thrones star Murray McArthur, and Peggy — better known to fans as Dogpool, the beloved canine star of Deadpool & Wolverine.
Since its launch in 2016, Capital Sci-Fi Con has raised over £548,000 for CHAS. The event was founded by West Lothian volunteer fundraiser Keith Armour, whose passion and dedication have helped grow the convention into one of Scotland’s most successful fan-led fundraising events.
CHAS now leads the organisation of the convention, with Keith continuing to support in an advisory role alongside a dedicated committee of volunteers.
Laura Campbell, Head of Community Fundraising and Retail at CHAS, said: “On a day when fans across the world celebrate ‘May the 4th be with you’, we’re absolutely delighted to share that this year’s Capital Sci-Fi Con raised an incredible £64,232.53 in net profit.
“We’d like to thank everyone who bought tickets and came along to support the event. Every pound raised helps CHAS continue providing vital care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.”
Gather friends and family for a garden get-together
Gardens are good for us and socializing in them even more so!
This year the National Garden Scheme is inviting people across the UK to bring together friends, family, neighbours and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party – a joyful community fundraiser supporting vital nursing and health charities.
Championed by Dame Mary Berry, the much‑loved Queen of Cakes, the Great British Garden Party celebrates the simple pleasure of sharing time together while raising money for charities that play a crucial role in so many lives, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing and Parkinson’s UK.
At its heart, the initiative celebrates community and the joy of sharing time with others. From your own garden to public parks and workplace green spaces – or even kitchen tables and front gates – everyone is encouraged to host a get‑together in their own way, creating memorable moments and making a meaningful difference.
Speaking about the Great British Garden Party, Dame Mary Berry said: “I am delighted to invite everyone to gather friends, family and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party.
“Whether you have a large garden, a small outdoor space or no garden at all, what matters is coming together. These gatherings are about reconnecting, celebrating friendship and community, and supporting nursing and health charities that many of us, our families and friends depend on in times of need.”
The beauty of the Great British Garden Party lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Past hosts have thrown open their garden gates and invited neighbours for afternoon tea, often making new friends along the way. Others have gathered loved ones to mark a special occasion, suggesting a donation in place of gifts.
From barbecues and family bake‑offs to picnics in the park, book swaps in the office or plant and produce stalls by the front gate, every event is different – and all are welcomed. The choice is entirely up to the host, making it easy for everyone to get involved.
Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, said: “The Great British Garden Party is such a great idea. It’s perfect for that situation where an informal gathering is taking place anyway – a birthday party, a silver wedding celebration, or even just having friends over for a barbecue, and this can be turned in a modest way into a fundraiser.
“It also allows people to share their garden space with friends and family, without going as far as a public ticketed opening, allowing both small, intimate or large, sociable gatherings to raise valuable funds for our Beneficiary Charities – all in the special sanctuaries of our own gardens.”
The official Great British Garden Party campaign week takes place from Monday 13 July to Sunday 19 July, but supporters are welcome to host their event at any time that suits them, throughout the year.
Taking part couldn’t be easier. Hosts can sign up via the National Garden Scheme website, invite their guests, and receive guidance and support from the National Garden Scheme events team.
For more information or to register your Great British Garden Party, visit:
EMPTY Kitchens Full Hearts wonderful Engagement Manager Leila is taking on this abseil challenge
If you visit EKFH, you’ll see Leila hard at work with our Engagement volunteers, making more than 60 wellbeing calls every week!
Leila speaks to our service users regularly – checking in to see how they are doing, and what more we can do to support them. This could be linking a family to a local clothing bank, putting a person in touch with an benefits check service, or issuing a foodbank voucher for household essentials.
Now, Leila is taking on the Port of Leith Distillery Abseil Challenge – 131ft for EKFH
