Tag: charity fundraising

Great Glen Teams Racing to Reach £50k Fundraising Target

With just weeks to go before RSABI’s Great Glen Challenge, 24 hardy teams from a wide range of roles in Scottish agriculture are now training hard for the multi-sport event between Fort Augustus and Fort William on August 25.

The teams are also fundraising in a bid to help RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture, reach the ambitious target of £50,000 by taking part in the event, sponsored by expert legal advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew.

A fantastic total of around £18,000 has already been raised by those taking part, and RSABI is encouraging supporters to dig deep and get behind those taking part in the challenge to help the charity provide emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture.

The Great Glen Challenge 2023 will see competing teams of four plus a support driver take on a day jam-packed with activity in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. The route consists of a 49km mountain bike, 6km kayak, 18km walk, and 17km run and is designed to challenge teams, promoting commitment and teamwork from the onset of training up to the day of the event.

After competing in last year’s Great Glen Challenge, overall event sponsors Gillespie Macandrew have this year signed up two teams – GMac Movers and GMac Shakers. NFU Scotland have managed to rustle up a brilliant total of three teams and SP Energy Networks have got two teams entered.

Others taking part include Bell Ingram, Bidwells LLP, the Crofting Commission, Davidson & Robertson, James Hutton Institute, Johnston Carmichael, Royal Bank of Scotland, SAC Consulting, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (north region), Scottish Woodlands, Tarff Valley, Thomson Cooper Accountants, Thorntons, and Virgin Money, Bank of Scotland and Galbraith.

Last year’s winners, Team Shannoch, will also be back to try to retain their position at the top of the Great Glen leaderboard.

The Scottish Farmer is again kindly media partner for the event, and to support racegoers, People’s Ford are kindly providing a Ford Ranger to join the fleet of support vehicles, while letting agents Rettie & Co have signed up as this year’s route sponsors and map creators. 

As well as offering an event with a unique team-building spirit, the Great Glen Challenge also highlights the importance of keeping fit to maintaining good physical and mental health. 

Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive, said: “There is something very special about the Great Glen Challenge and we are delighted that so many people from different parts of Scottish agriculture are this year getting behind it. 

“Everyone is busy and for so many people to make time to support our flagship fundraising event of the year means a great deal. Our thanks also go to everyone who kindly sponsors the teams and a special thanks to Gillespie Macandrew, our overall event sponsor this year.

“Our thanks also go to the volunteers who help us run the event, our media partners, The Scottish Farmer, and all those who have already generously donated to the competing teams. Donations have been coming in thick and fast, setting us in good stead to reach our ambitious £50,000 target.”

Team donations for the Great Glen challenge are now open.

To donate and find out more about how to support the teams, visit:  

www.rsabi.org.uk/event/rsabi-great-glen-challenge-2023/. 

Glenfiddich & hospitality industry partners raise money for ‘Protect Our Winters’ charity

On the 31st July, Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador to Scotland, Mark Thomson, will lead a group of 11 hospitality industry names on a 90k+ journey through Scotland.

The poignant trail is inspired by a journey taken by William Grant in 1885, as he searched Scotland for inspiration and opportunity before building Glenfiddich, in an expedition that took him from Dufftown to Balmoral. 

In a bid to recreate William Grant’s epic journey, Thomson and his group of runners will run across some of Scotland’s most remote land over the course of two days.

Beginning in Braemar, crossing two Munros, and finishing with a luxurious stay at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, the journey hopes to bring to life Glenfiddich’s inspiring brand heritage.

As part of the challenge Thomson has partnered with Protect Our Winters, an environmental charity dedicated to helping passionate outdoor people become effective climate advocates, protecting our world today and for future generations.  

Once runners have crossed the finish line at the Glenfiddich distillery, they will be greeted with a well-deserved dram before being taken on a guided tour of the historic distillery which includes a coopering demonstration.

They will stay at distillery properties Malt Kiln, Torrin and Castle Croft, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and stunning line up of whiskies including private vintages, rare and exclusive to the brand’s home, and be joined by Lauren MacCallum, MD of Protect Our Winters UK to discuss the project and fundraising. 

Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador to Scotland Mark Thomson says: “This adventure will create a lasting impression on the entrants, bringing together all the values Glenfiddich and Protect Our Winters share, as well as promoting health and wellbeing within the industry.

“The love of the outdoors, challenge of the landscape and the luxury destination of the distillery creates a memorable occasion for all”.

Donations can be made via Mark’s Just Giving page to support the runners and this worthwhile cause. A target of £2.5k has been set by the brand and for every donation made William Grant & Sons will match it. 

Those interested can follow Thomson and the athletes on their challenge via his Instagram page @singlemaltmark where he will be documenting the full journey. 

Now We Ride: UK Cyclists take on epic 23 Million Miles charity challenge

Love To Ride, the online community cycling platform, and partner charities of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, World Bicycle Relief and Maggie’s, have announced a partnership to change lives while encouraging Brits to get on their bikes.

The 23 Million Miles Challenge will see cyclists around the country contribute their rides – whether one or one hundred miles – to an epic 23 million mile goal ahead of the biggest cycling event in the world, the UCI Cycling World Championships in Scotland, 3-13 August 2023. Cyclists can now fundraise for the life-changing partner charities whilst adding their mileage to the total.

World Bicycle Relief, the Championships’ global charity partner, provides purpose-designed, hard-wearing ‘Buffalo Bicycles’ to people in need in rural areas around the world where access to basic goods and services is affected by long distances and harsh terrain.

These bicycles help children, adults, families and communities reach life-changing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Fundraising through the 23 Million Miles Challenge will help World Bicycle Relief to meet its target of providing 1 million bicycles by 2025.

After setting up a fundraising page for World Bicycle Relief, cyclists can register with Love to Ride, set a mileage goal, begin fundraising with family, friends or colleagues, then hit the saddle and start logging their miles.

Maggie’s, the Championships’ national charity partner, provides free, practical and psychological support to anyone living with cancer, their families and friends. Maggie’s centres offer a warm and welcoming place to go for people at every stage of cancer. Visitors can speak to professional staff including cancer support specialists, clinical psychologists, benefits advisors and relaxation therapists, who offer individual and group support to help live well with cancer.

By taking part in the 23 Million Miles Challenge and choosing to fundraise for Maggie’s, cyclists can directly contribute to the charity’s vital services and programs and support anyone living with cancer.

Maggie’s are calling on cycling fans to take part in their virtual Gran Fondo, challenging them to take on 250km or 500km by 13 August and raise funds to help support everyone living with cancer. Riders can sign up to receive a free cycling jersey, join Maggie’s Strava club, and start logging their miles with Love to Ride.

Claire Geiger, Director of Partnerships, World Bicycle Relief, said: “The UCI Cycling World Championships is bringing cycling to Scotland and the world on a scale we’ve never experienced before, but there’s more to the Championships than competition.

“These next few months are all about showcasing the power of the bike as not only a tool for sport, commuting, and recreation, but also for transportation in remote parts of the world. By logging miles and raising money, cyclists around the United Kingdom can help in the mission to get more people riding bikes.”

Adam Feder, Head of Partnerships, Maggie’s, said: “At Maggie’s we know how cycling – and movement in general – can play a huge part in emotional and physical recovery after cancer.

“That’s we’re delighted to be working with Love to Ride and the 2023 Cycling World Championships to showcase the #powerofthebike and encourage more people to get cycling to support their mental and physical health.”

Angus Rodney, Partnerships Manager for Scotland, Love To Ride, said: “Love to Ride are delighted to work in partnership with Maggies, World Bicycle Relief, and the 2023 Cycling World Championships team.

“Ultimately we want to inspire people to jump on their bikes, build some excitement around this amazing event which showcases the power of the bike. And motivate people to do their bit to contribute towards net zero.

“The goal is big, but by working together we can achieve big things!”

Find out more about the 23 Million Miles Challenge here.

Charity appeals to people of Edinburgh to become ‘Friends’ of NSPCC Scotland and help raise funds

The people of Edinburgh are being asked to become ‘Friends’ of NSPCC Scotland by signing up as a volunteer to help raise funds for the charity.

The children’s charity works in schools and communities across the country to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect, aiming to transform society for every childhood.

Around 90 per cent of the charity’s income comes from generous donations from the public, and its work could not continue without their help.

Last year (2022/23) the NSPCC run service, Childline, delivered 8,599 counselling sessions to children living in Scotland. The Childline bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow delivered 29,741 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK.

The top five main concerns for children were mental and emotional health and wellbeing; family relationships; friendship issues; bullying and school/education problems.

In the same year, 70,379 children from 373 schools in Scotland took part in the NSPCC’s online Speak out Stay safe programme which teaches children how to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect and where to get help.

The NSPCC now needs to build a group of passionate volunteers in [Glasgow] they can call upon for an extra pair of hands to support at local events and initiatives.

People can also choose how they would like to get involved by creating a bespoke role for themselves related to their own hobbies and interests, and they can volunteer ‘as and when’ without the need for regular time commitments.

Sandra Jones, NSPCC Scotland Community Fundraising Manager, said: “The NSPCC couldn’t continue with its work without support from the public.

“Our amazing volunteers help us raise money and awareness of our vital work to support communities and protect children and young people.

“We need people who could spare a few hours to help at local fundraising and awareness events such as Childhood Day collections, acquiring prizes for events or assisting in-person events to make sure they run smoothly.

“This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy new experiences and to be part of the NSPCC and our mission to end child cruelty.”

A key role for volunteers is to share news about the charity’s work with the public, organisations and in the local community, for example on social media, to help promote a positive image of the NSPCC and let people know about upcoming fundraising events and initiatives.

The NSPCC appreciates that work, family and friends come first and, with that in mind, this role offers flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle. Volunteers only need to commit to a couple of hours a month, but if they want to do more that would be great.

Volunteers get a designated point of contact, regular newsletters, ongoing support with the right information and tools including access to training opportunities through the volunteer portal, knowledge and learning, and a discount portal.

Jacqueline Jones from Glasgow helped at a recent Childhood Day collection on Buchanan Street. She said: “I heard about the NSPCC when my six-year-old was singing the Pantosaurus song one day after school.

“I realised the song passes some vital information on to children to help protect them and their bodies and from this moment I was a big fan of the charity!

“I was a little nervous about fundraising on the street but after being paired up and given some words of wisdom from Sandra I found my flow quickly and had an amazing time. I cannot wait to do it again.”

Jodie Cullen, an Operations Analyst at Morgan Stanley, also helped at the Childhood Day collection in Glasgow, she said: “It was such an amazing day; I really enjoyed my first experience of volunteering with the NSPCC, everyone was so welcoming and in great spirits.

“The arrival of the Rock Choir was a fantastic surprise and added to the already upbeat atmosphere!”

Some examples of volunteer roles include:

  • Community crafts – this involves using your crafting skills whether it’s knitting or making jewellery to create items to be sold or donated to raise funds for the NSPCC. This role could include a craft group you are already a part of, setting up a new group or joining an existing group, and selling your items at craft fairs organised by others or yourself.
  • Cookery – use your cookery skills to produce items that can be sold or donated.
  • Walking groups – this could involve an existing walking group or you could set up a new one to do sponsored walks, such as climb Ben Nevis in Scotland
  • Auctioneer volunteer – this could involve hosting an auction and presenting items for sale, keeping track of bids and concluding sales by striking a gavel when the highest bid has been reached
  • Community challenge events volunteer – this would involve using your practical skills to set up a new group or join an existing one and co-ordinate local or overseas challenge events such as mountain biking through the wilds of Iceland
  • Christmas volunteer – you could join our Walk for Children in December or attend a Childline Merry Little Christmas Concert or help collect donations at a festive event
  • Community quiz co-ordinator – including organising prizes and a local venue
  • Book scheme co-ordinator – includes organising donations of books from the local community which can be picked up by members of the public for a donation

While volunteering is suitable for a whole range of people, the NSPCC would be particularly keen to hear from people with the following qualities and skills:

  • Passionate about helping young people and children
  • Enthusiastic and personable
  • Work well within a team
  • Great communication and social skills

If you are interested, email: sandra.jones2@nspcc.org.uk

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

Adventurer set to break records kayaking 2000 miles in the Arctic

  • Edinburgh man Mark Agnew is part of an international crew kayaking across the Arctic’s Northwest Passage
  • Mark and his team of four will follow the route sought by Franklin’s doomed Northwest Passage voyage in 1845
  • Mark suffered a mental health crisis in 2018 and credits kayaking with helping him to overcome it
  • Mark plans to raise over £25,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK
  • This will be the first time the entire Northwest Passage has ever been kayaked, all the way from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea

British adventurer and motivational speaker, Mark Agnew, is attempting a record-breaking Arctic voyage to kayak the 2000-mile Northwest Passage, an expedition that comes after a prolonged mental health crisis.

On July 1, Mark and a team of three others will set off from Bylot Island, Nunavut,      Canada, and hope to finish 90 days later at Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuit hamlet in Canada, as they follow the historic Arctic route that links the Atlantic and the Pacific.

This will be the first time the entire route has ever been kayaked. It will also be the first time it is completed with just human power alone – no motors or sails – in any type of craft in a single summer.

Mark, who is from Edinburgh and lives in London, has been preparing for his expedition by kayaking on the Thames with the Putney Bridge Canoe Club and training with polar region expedition paddler, Jeff Allen, who has been helping him to build his stamina and hone his kayaking skills at sea.  Yoga is also an important aspect of Mark’s training and helps him prevent injuries.

Mark attempted to set the world record for rowing across the Atlantic twice, but didn’t successfully cross the ocean, let alone set a world record.

After two failed attempts to row across the Atlantic, Mark suffered a mental health spiral, with the devastation of failure making him feel worthless and unmotivated. 

After 12 months of feeling wretched, Mark researched resilience and realised that it can be trained and learned, so he began to set himself challenges and gradually his mindset began to change.

Mark explained, “After failing to row the Atlantic twice, I felt utterly worthless. I was overcome with feelings of humiliation and failure. It began to seep into every aspect of my life, and I became lethargic. I wasn’t clinically depressed but the feeling of being pathetic became overwhelming.

“Eventually, I decided I needed to drag myself out of my hole by going on adventures again. I realised I had to focus on the experience and not the outcome. I began to focus on camaraderie, discovery of beautiful landscapes and being at one with nature and not just on the aspect of winning or of gaining the world record.

“That said, I’m still motivated by the world first. In the Northwest Passage, pushing ourselves as a team for the common goal of the world first is important to facilitate our camaraderie and experience. These intrinsic goals are far more fulfilling than focusing on a single outcome.”

Mark hopes to raise over £25,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity offering education and therapy programmes for young people and adults to help them reconnect to society and to themselves through outdoor facilitation adventures, therapy and mentoring.

Mark said, “Getting out into nature and exercising was fundamental to re-finding my self-worth.

“I’ve been lucky my whole life to be able to get into nature. Wilderness Foundation UK helps countless people, particularly people from backgrounds that might not typically have easy access to the outdoors, re-connect to nature and feel empowered through their experience.”    

The route Mark and his team will follow is the same route sought by the British Arctic exploration voyage led by Sir John Franklin in 1845 aboard two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.  The expedition met with disaster as both ships became icebound and the crew of 129 men was lost. Mark’s team may even pass directly over the wreck of HMS Terror.

Now, 178 years later, the Arctic’s ice conditions have changed with the region at the forefront of global warming, making this world first only possible as the sea ice melts and disappears.

Mark continued, “This is really the ‘voyage that shouldn’t happen’.  One hundred years ago the Northwest Passage would have been frozen almost all year-round, but now we are going to be able to kayak the 2000 miles in a single season – a rather devastating example of how much climate change has affected the planet.”

Mark will be joined on the expedition by three Americans – expedition leader West Hansen,  Jeff Wueste and Eileen Visser.  The team will each consume between 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day and re-supply halfway in Cambridge Bay. Each night they will camp on shore. They will set up a tripwire to let off a bang if they are approached by polar bears as they sleep. 

Wilderness Foundation UK’s CEO Jo Roberts, said, “Wilderness Foundation UK has a history of patrons who have been iconic explorers and adventurers.

“Mark is no different to them in the challenges and hardships they endured and survived. His passion to challenge himself and the ocean links him to the greats of this world. By taking on the Northwest Passage, paddling into an unknown both within himself and the environment, he will be inspiring others to face their fears and embrace their inner strengths.

“As a charity we work with children, teens and adults whose fears hold them back from trying, failing and succeeding – and they get stuck. 

“Mark will be setting them an example of what it looks like to give life ‘a go’ and we will be following his paddle strokes and courage as he braves one of the most challenging and magnificent passages.

“Please follow and support him on his journey as he supports others who will undoubtedly take inspiration from his spirit of adventure.”

The expedition can be followed online and with updates on social media at https://www.thearcticcowboys.com and @adventureagnew on Twitter and Instagram.

To donate to Mark’s cause for Wilderness Foundation UK please visit: 

https://rb.gy/fufog

Letters: Take on Great North Run challenge for the Stroke Association

Dear Editor

I was honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to work on Marlon’s stroke journey. It was a complete eye opener into the world of a stroke survivor and I will always be in debt to the Stroke Association and the two amazing stroke survivors who helped show what having a stroke is really like for the 10,000 people who have a stroke every year in Scotland. 

There’s 128,000 stroke survivors in Scotland, and it is still the leading cause of adult disability. Many people don’t realise that the vast majority of strokes – around 80-90% in fact – are preventable.  Stroke is still chronically misunderstood by the public and underfunded in terms of research, which is incredible when you consider those stats.

That’s why I’m asking everyone to get involved in this year’s Great North Run for the Stroke Association

This famous event takes place on Sunday 10 September and although the general ballot is closed, the Stroke Association still has charity places available!

Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant. However, with our support, the Stroke Association can help more stroke survivors and their families rebuild their lives after stroke.

For more information and to apply for your place, visit www.stroke.org.uk/events/sporting-fundraising/greatnorthrun    

Thank you,

Mark Charnock

Over £11,000 raised for Pancreatic Cancer Action in memory of Frank McGarvey

Glasgow locals and Celtic supporters came together on Friday 17thMarch 2023 to remember and celebrate the life of football legend Frank McGarvey, raising £11,050 for Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Frank’s close friend Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, teamed up with Robert and Mary from Elders Bar in Tollcross to organise a special St Patrick’s Day gathering. They wanted to create a memorable evening that would honour Frank’s legacy whilst also supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets for the event sold out in record time, with family, friends, and fans of Frank all eager to show their support. Ninety guests attended the evening, which was hosted by Tommy Sheridan, another of Frank’s close friends. Former Celtic Football players Tosh McKinlay and Joe Miller were also in attendance, sharing football memories and stories.

Guests were provided with an opportunity to win a raffle prize of a framed Celtic Football Club shirt, signed by the squad and a very kind guest then offered a very generous donation for a second version to be sourced by ‘Fitba Greats’.

The auction was the main driver of achieving such a fantastic total, with exclusive prizes creating a bidding battle across the packed room!

Prizes included:

  1. Signed framed print of Frank McGarvey
  2. Framed Bertie Ault print
  3. Framed Danny McGrain signed shirt.
  4. Framed Lisbon Lions print signed by 8 Lions.
  5. Framed & signed Celtic double winners’ shirt – Ange’s first season.
  6. 1985 Cup Final Shirt signed by the scorer of the winning goal – Frank McGarvey
  7. Signed by the Boss Ange signed shirt.
  8. Framed & signed Jersey – Captain Callum McGregor

Franks’ son Sean also brought along an additional prize of a signed Celtic shirt kindly donated by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson.

Fiona Brown, Scottish Development Manager for Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “I was privileged to meet Frank and his family last year, and it has been heart-warming to see the incredible outpouring of support from across the football community.

“It was lovely to hear people share memories of Frank event, and a wonderful video played on the night showcasing some of Frank’s many footballing highlights certainly triggered a few tears!

“We are very grateful to everyone involved in making the event such a huge success, raising a phenomenal amount of money, and indeed helping raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, said: “This was a real team effort, and we are all hopeful that raising the funds we did will massively help Fiona and her team.

“I’m glad we could celebrate Franks’ 67th birthday in such a positive way. Everyone played their part, and a great night was had.”

Jennifer Kane (Frank McGarvey’s daughter) said: “I was so flat on St Patrick’s Day with it being my dad’s birthday and have been missing him so much, but I got such a lift from people’s generosity and stories.

“My dad was so lucky to have pals like Bernie, Robert and Tommy and everyone coming together to raise that much money for a charity now so close to my heart is unbelievable, I know my dad will want us to continue to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, it was an amazing night my dad would have loved it. I can’t wait for next years!” 

For Celtic supporters, 67 represents a special number, and this fundraiser was a fitting way to remember and celebrate Frank McGarvey’s life. It’s heart-warming to see how the Glasgow community has come together to support this cause, and we hope that this event will help raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with over 10,000 people diagnosed each year. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates, yet under 8% of those diagnosed will survive for five years or more.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and funding research into early detection and treatment. To find out more about their work, visit their website at www.panact.org

Edinburgh, Raise Some Dough and entertain the kids this Easter

Bake Off’s Giuseppe Dell’Anno and school feeding charity Mary’s Meals have the perfect recipe for holiday family fun

Looking for a way to entertain the kids this Easter? School feeding charity Mary’s Meals and Great British Bake Off star, Giuseppe Dell’Anno have the perfect idea! They are calling on people in Edinburgh to hold a bake sale and Raise Some Dough for hungry children this Easter.

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in 18 of the world’s poorest countries – including Malawi, Syria and Haiti. The promise of food attracts children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and hope for the future.

Giuseppe, Great British Bake Off winner in 2021, says: “Mary’s Meals tackles two major needs for kids’ welfare at once: nutrition and education. Many of us take things like school and food for granted, but there are places in the world where they are completely out of reach.

“A bake sale is a great way to have fun in the Easter holidays and raise funds to help this incredible charity reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.

“You’d be surprised how far a very simple biscuit, baked with your cupboard essentials, can go. Especially if shared with a smile! I hope you’ll join me to Raise Some Dough this Easter for hungry children!”

People in Edinburgh can download a free fundraising pack from the charity’s website, which includes a recipe book packed full of tasty biscuit recipes from some of the UK’s favourite celebrities – including Giuseppe, Stephen Fry, Dame Joanna Lumley and Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor.

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

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “If you’re looking for something to keep the family entertained this Easter, our Raise Some Dough fundraising pack has everything you ‘knead’ to hold a bake sale for friends and family and raise funds for children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a star baker like Giuseppe, or a budding baker – we’d love for you to get involved and help us reach more hungry children with Mary’s Meals.”

To order your free Raise Some Dough fundraising pack, please visit:

 marysmeals.org.uk/raise

Amazon Bathgate team shares joy of Red Nose Day

The team from Amazon in Bathgate shared laughs on site last week to raise awareness and funds for Comic Relief in the run-up to Red Nose Day on 17th March.

Comic Relief was founded in 1985 by the scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Sir Lenny Henry. The charity funds and partners with organisations who support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems and food poverty in the UK and around the world. Every year, the charity hosts a nationwide fundraising campaign called Red Nose Day.

Amazon is the new, exclusive home of the new Red Nose, created by legendary designer Sir Jony Ive. Made almost entirely from plant-based materials, the Red Nose starts as a tiny, flat crescent and springs into a beautiful honeycomb-paper sphere. With every Red Nose bought, supporters are helping people through the toughest times of their lives as 100% of all profits go directly to Comic Relief.

Colleagues at the sortation centre in Bathgate took part in a week-long series of activities in the lead up to Red Nose Day 2023 (17th March). Events included a village-themed party with games such as go kart racing, wooden ring toss and darts, with the aim of raising awareness of the work of Comic Relief.

The team also donated £1,000 to Ponies Help Children to boost a local cause whose focus is in keeping with Comic Relief’s objectives.

Throughout the week, Amazon employees were encouraged to snap photos of themselves wearing Red Noses in a virtual photobooth, with £1 donated to Comic Relief for every picture taken.

Speaking on the activities on site, Gary Reid, Site Leader of Amazon in Bathgate, said: “Delivering Red Noses is just one of the ways our team is supporting Comic Relief this year.

“We’ve had so much fun getting together and helping to support the remarkable work Comic Relief does through our fundraising efforts. We are also pleased to donate £1,000 to Ponies Help Children to boost those working to help people struggling in their community.”

Gary Reid, from Amazon in Bathgate who took part in the activities, added: “I loved having a laugh with the team here in Bathgate in the lead up to Red Nose Day.

“Whether it was through a virtual photobooth or wooden ring toss, we had a lot of fun together raising awareness and funds for the many causes the charity supports.”

Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, said: “Ever since we first created the Red Nose in 1988, it has always been a way of showing people how even the smallest of things can make a huge difference.

“We know times are difficult right now, but millions of people across the UK and around the world need our support. If we all come together and do what we can, like buy a Red Nose, we can make real change happen.

“We are hugely grateful to all Amazon colleagues and customers who are able to support this year’s Red Nose Day. Together we can be there for people going through the toughest times of their lives.”

Since November 2022, Amazon has donated £1.8 million as part of its support to Comic Relief and its employees up and down the country have been taking part in weird and wonderful fundraising activities, helping to raise even more money for Red Nose Day.

To read more about Amazon’s partnership with Comic Relief visit:

https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/company-news/amazon-is-the-new-home-of-comic-reliefs-iconic-red-nose.

Renaissance residents show they care at Christmas

Two Edinburgh care homes have helped spread some Christmas cheer with a special charity donation.

The residents and staff of Letham Park and Mathieson House residential care homes on Ferry Road Edinburgh, operated by Renaissance Care, held a festive raffle to raise £350 for local homeless people as their way of giving back to the local community.

The money will be donated to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign, which uses funds raised to offer support to homeless people, such as accommodation for the night or a hot Christmas meal.

Up for grabs in the raffle was a Christmas hamper filled with specially designed glassware, coffee cups and special festive crafts, which were all handmade by Kevin Dignall, Deputy Manager at Mathieson Care Home.

Kevin said: “I had made things like that before for staff or families at the home and I just wanted to make a nice hamper for Christmas to raffle off as a prize.

“The residents are always keen to stay connected to their local community and it’s a tough enough time for lots of people at this time of year, so everyone felt it was only fitting to try to help some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

“It was all great fun, and we drew the raffle on the same day as our Christmas fayre, so we had music going, singing and Santa made an appearance as well.”

Social Bite Executive Director Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “We’re very thankful to the residents at Renaissance Care for their donation to our Festival of Kindness.

“Acts of kindness like this are needed more so now than ever before and make a huge difference to those who need it most.

“The money they’ve raised through the various raffle events will go towards ensuring vulnerable people have delicious food, gifts and company this festive period.”