charity fundraising – Page 5 – The NEN

Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Street Burger launch festive fundraiser for SBH Scotland

Gordon Ramsay’s Edinburgh venues are set to launch the GReat Donate, a festive fundraiser to raise money for specialist charity, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.

A £1 voluntary donation will be added to diner’s bills at the St Andrew Square restaurant and the soon to open St James Quarter restaurant throughout the months of November and December 2022.

The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For nearly 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.

A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said: “SBH Scotland are a fantastic charity which makes a real difference to the lives of so many families across Scotland who are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

“We understand how hard charity fundraising has been hit over the last two years and while we’ve been inspired by the charity’s tenacity during this time, we felt it important to do what we can to ensure they can continue to provide their life-changing services.

“The option to add a voluntary £1 donation onto your bill is a small gesture diners at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Street Burger restaurants can make, that’ll have a big impact.”

Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “As our only Honorary Patron, Gordon has been a great friend of our charity for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful for his continued generosity.

“Over the years, he has taken time out from his busy schedule to host gala dinners, launch appeals including the campaign to build our Family Support Centre, and personally meet with the families we support.

“We heavily rely on fundraising activity to ensure we can continue to deliver many of our vital services including support groups and 1-2-1 support. The last two years have been difficult for everyone, but particularly so for those already in need and SBH Scotland, like many charities, have experienced a devastating loss of funds.

“That’s why this festive season, we hope any diners visiting Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen or Street Burger will be happy to know that every £1 raised will go a long way to helping us continue to support thousands of families at the time when they need us the most.”

For more information on SBH Scotland and why Gordon’s festive fundraiser is so important, please visit: https://www.sbhscotland.org.uk/

First-ever Elf Toddle Walk at The Centre, Livingston for children’s charity, CHAS

The Centre, Livingston is appealing for little ones to join them in its first-ever Elf Toddle Walk on Sunday, 6^th November at 9am to take part in a one-mile walk around the mall and raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, CHAS, which provides the country’s only hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Little ones and their adults are being encouraged to dress up in their favourite festive attire and join a team of Santa’s elves on a one-mile lap of the shopping centre, which has easy access for buggies.

Go Radio Breakfast Show Presenter Crofty will be there on the day alongside Go Radio Dance’s Zoe Kelly playing all the big Christmas tunes and taking part in the countdown warm-up to help get the little ones off to a great start.

Along the way children will encounter some special Christmas surprises and treats and on completion will be awarded with a commemorative medal for taking part at the ‘Selfie Elfie’ zone.

Entry is £5 per child with admission fees at https://bit.ly/TheCentreEventbriteLink.

Once registered, a personal walk number and elf hat can be collected from the Customer Service Desk at The Centre, Livingston between the 31^st October and 5^th November, with proof of ticket, to enable participants to take part on the day.

Parents can either pick up sponsor forms in advance at the Customer Service Desk, download them from the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com or bring their own. All sponsored donations will go to charity. Full details are on the website

www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Hayley Smith, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are so incredibly grateful to The Centre, Livingston for choosing to support CHAS through their Elf Toddle Walk.

“The funds raised will not only help us to provide care for children but also to help families make wonderful memories together.”

Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with the charity CHAS to host our first-ever Elf Toddle Walk around the mall to help raise money for such a great cause.

“It’s a brilliant way to show kids that you can have fun getting a little bit of exercise in whilst helping other people at the same time.”

How you can up your game, raise funds for charity and save lives on World Gaming Day

Pick up your controller and help good causes raise money by taking part in the very first World Gaming Day, on Saturday 22 October 2022.

Headline charity, Leukaemia Care and the online fundraising platform GivePenny, along with 20 other charities, are asking supporters to raise vital funds by getting together to play games. Gamers of all ages can sign up for what is anticipated to be the country’s biggest gaming for good fundraising campaign.

Leukaemia Care and their fellow charities are inviting gamers to hold social gaming events around the country to raise money to support their favourite cause.

This gaming for good initiative is the first time several charities have come together to create a national moment for a campaign. Level one partners include the Stroke Association, Epilepsy Society, Action for Children, Fareshare, Water Aid, Street Child, along with many other charities coming on board.

Nicole Scully, Director of Communications and Fundraising for Leukaemia Care, said: “We are delighted that over 20 charities have come together to harness the power of gaming.

“There has never been a better time to get friends together doing something we all love to do, so I can’t wait to see the gaming day parties happening on 22 October.”

World Gaming Day will harness the technology of online fundraising to make donations and has added options for Playlist Fundraising thanks to GivePenny’s integration with Spotify. This enables fundraisers to raise even more money by supporters adding tracks to their gaming day playlist in exchange for a charity donation.

Lee Clark, CEO at GivePenny, said: “Without a doubt, the charity sector is stronger together and World Gaming Day has been built with everyone in mind.

“The popularity of gaming and its potential for charities is huge. By giving charities a tailor-made fundraising package, we are helping even the smallest charity to tap into that potential and engage more supporters in ways that they might never have been able to do before.

“We’ve created World Gaming Day as this generation’s charity coffee morning so people can have fun and raise lots of money for many different good causes in the process.”

Want to find out more about World Gaming Day or want to sign up to host your very own event? Simply go to worldgamingday.org

For more information, call 08088 010 444 or email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk

Kiltwalk Kindness: Capital walkers raise £1.42 million!

Edinburgh Kiltwalk fundraising closed at midnight last night [Wednesday 28 September] with a bumper £2,136,590 going out to help 500 different charities.

A total of 5,000 Kiltwalk heroes raised a whopping £1.42 million. This sum was topped up by an astonishing £710,000 from The Hunter Foundation, securing a grand total of £2.137 million for 500 charities across Scotland.

Sir Tom Hunter said: “The Kiltwalk Kindness of people in Edinburgh and the East was there for all to see on September 18th. Wearing a bit of tartan, they walked around the capital from Bingham Medway to BT Murrayfield and I am proud that our 5,000 Kiltwalkers raised this phenomenal amount to help so many Scottish Charities.

“It makes me very proud to know that all this fundraising will make a huge difference in these difficult economic times. It was great to be back together in Edinburgh after three years due to Covid.

“We thank every member of the Kiltwalk community, our headline sponsors Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark, Gold sponsor Johnston Carmichael and LIDL and all our sponsors, staff and Kiltie volunteers for their unwavering support.”

Macmillan Coffee Morning at Starbank Park this Saturday

Don’t miss our Macmillan coffee morning next Saturday 24th September 10-12 noon.

Mini harvest show! Prizes for best jam/chutney/lemon curd, best sunflower, best courgette/marrow, prettiest dahlia, most quirky vegetable, best child grown product

@StarbankPark

Edinburgh shows its Kiltwalk Kindness

Five thousand Kiltwalkers gathered in Edinburgh today [Sunday 18 September] and fell silent across the capital before setting off to raise over £2 million for 500 hard pressed Scottish charities.

A minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect and thanks for the life of the late Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Pipers also played in moving scenes at the 21-mile Mighty Stride, the 13-mile Big Stroll, and the four-mile Wee Wander. Those still walking later in the day observed the national one minute’s silence at 8pm.

500 charities across Scotland will benefit from the first physical Kiltwalk to take place in the capital since 2019. Out of respect for those visiting the Queen’s official residence Holyrood Palace, The Mighty Stride moved away from Holyrood Park to a new Start at Bingham Medway.

The walkers’ fundraising is topped-up by 50% by The Hunter Foundation.

Sir Tom Hunter said “I am incredibly proud of the Kiltwalk community for the respect they have shown at the death of Her Majesty the Queen whilst at the same time raising funds for 500 charities who really need it.

“We thank each and every one of our Kiltwalk heroes for their amazing endeavours for the common good.”

Football legend Graeme Souness tackled the Mighty Strike alongside Commonwealth Gold winning boxers Sean Lazzerini and Reese Lynch. The trio walked and raised money for charity, DEBRA, just one of 500 different Scottish charities. 

Businesses across Scotland came together to support the Kiltwalk with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark:   

The Hunter Foundation underwrites The Kiltwalk   
Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark are headline sponsors of Kiltwalk  
Johnston Carmichael is Gold sponsor   
Lidl is ‘Official Supermarket Partner’ providing delicious snacks to keep energy levels high  
STV Children’s Appeal is the official grant making partner so those who choose to walk for Kiltwalk will see their funds distributed via STV Children’s Appeal  
Trespass supply quality uniforms for Kiltwalk’s Kiltie volunteers and staff  
Bullet Express is the ‘Official Logistics Partner’ 
Tunnock’s donate their renowned chocolate bars

Royal Regiment of Scotland band pays tribute to local heroes

After traveling the world with Scotland’s most famous military band, a West Lothian musician is returning to Livingston to pay tribute to local heroes.

Warrant Officer John Govan, who lives in Bathgate, will perform with the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland at their “Celebrating our Heroes” concert to support Poppyscotland.

John, who plays the clarinet, flute, and saxophone, has been an Army musician for 22 years, performing all over Europe, and in the Middle East, Hong Kong, and America. The band has recently played at Edinburgh’s Royal Military Tattoo, following the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Holyrood Place.

Now they will be coming to Howden Park Centre on Friday 30^th September, as part of the band’s tour around Scotland. All proceeds will go to help Poppyscotland deliver its life-changing support for members of the Armed Forces community across Scotland.

John said: “This is the first time the Band has played in Livingston, and I’m really looking forward to playing close to home. We’re excited to be supporting a great cause, as well as paying tribute to local heroes, from the Armed Forces to key workers during a pandemic.

“We’ve got a fantastic programme this year, ranging from traditional Scottish tunes to modern classics, while the Band Scots Ceilidh group is sure to get feet tapping! We’ve been especially pleased to work with Scottish folk musician and composer Alan Brydon, who has written a new song, Land of Heroes, for the finale.

“These concerts are always very enjoyable events, and it’s great to get out and meet local audiences.”

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and are very grateful for their continuing support. This is a fantastic chance to hear one of Scotland’s best-known bands here in Livingston.

“These concerts are always a great night out, with an uplifting and eclectic programme showcasing the band’s versatility. All funds raised will support our life-changing work with the Armed Forces community, providing practical help and support whenever they need us.”

The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, is one of the 22 Regular Army bands, and is made up of musicians who are also serving soldiers.

Tickets cost £15 (£12 concessions) and are available via:

www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/2022-band-tour.

Winston’s Wish: 30 days of disco!

This September, the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish marks 30 years of supporting children and young people by launching a dance fundraiser #30daysofdisco.

To mark this milestone occasion, the charity are inviting you to join in with 30 days of disco. An opportunity to listen to your favourite music and move your body to remember a loved one or just to have some fun all whilst raising money for charity.

Get involved independently or unite with your friends, colleagues or school class and become the hottest new dance group in town. Whether it’s to recreate those shapes you’ll be seeing on Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing this September, keep those holiday party vibes going or warm up for the office Christmas party, it’s a fundraiser you’ll want to be part of.

Dance at home for 30 minutes a day, wear your best party gear for an office ‘Disco Day’ or host your very own disco dance lesson, this danceathon is all about encouraging ‘free-style’, however you wish to take part.

Those signing up will receive a free Disco Fundraising Pack with everything they need to get the party started including glowsticks and stickers for the big kids at heart. Plus take part in a leadership board filled with enthusiastic dancers just like yourself! Share your dance journey with #30daysofdisco.

By dancing for Winston’s Wish this September you can play your part in providing vital support for grieving children and young people across the UK.

To find out more about how your support can make a difference or for more ways to get involved visit winstonswish.org/disco

Wagathon is back!

Dog owners are preparing to walk 9K with their K9s and make charitable donations go through the ‘woof’!

Tails and tongues are set to wag this August with the return of pawsome annual fundraising event, Wagathon™, initiated by leading fundraising platform, Give as you Live Donate.

Dog owners across the UK are being encouraged to put on their walking boots and join their four-legged friends in walking 9K any day they like throughout August and raise vital charity funds.

Participants can choose to raise money for a charity close to their heart, whether it’s a local dog rescue centre or a well-known national charity — they all need support!

When dog owners sign up, they will receive a special welcome pack, including a Wagathon™ tag for their dog’s collar — plus, they will be in with the chance of winning some top prizes from Yappy and Scruffs.

It’s super-simple to get involved in the Wagathon™ challenge. All people need to do is:

1) Pick a charity to support

2) Create a Wagathon™ fundraising page

3) Share the page with friends, family and colleagues

4) Complete 9K with your K9s

Participants are encouraged to tag @thewagathonpack on Instagram and share their fundraising journey to be in the chance of winning a pawsome prize bundle!

For further information, and to kickstart your challenge, visit:

donate.giveasyoulive.com/pages/wagathon

Charlotte’s story

In memory of her beloved dog, Freddie, who passed away in June 2022, Charlotte Jones from Lapworth, Warwickshire, will be walking and running 9km every day during the month of August. She’ll be walking 279km in total to raise money for Fetcher Dog Charity.

Fetcher Dog was founded because thousands of dogs are born on the streets of Bosnia every year, condemned to starvation, disease and brutal, inhumane deaths.

Fetcher Dog aims to rescue as many of these dogs as possible and find them forever homes.

So far, Charlotte has reached 50% of her fundraising target.

To donate, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/freddies-walk

Bobby’s story

Lynn Carr, from Seaham, County Durham, owns beautiful spaniels, Willow and Bobby. This August, the trio will be walking 9K in the Lake District for a charity close to all their hearts, Spaniel Aid.

Back in 2017, when Bobby was only 8 months old, he was given to Spaniel Aid by owners who couldn’t look after him. He spent time in foster carer where he was taught simple things like walking on a lead. After seeing his picture on the charity’s Facebook page, Lynn applied to meet him.

Lynn says: “We visited Bobby with Willow to see if they got on and, a week later, Bobby came to join our family. Without this charity, we would never have come across our boy. For that, we are entirely grateful.”

Unfortunately, Bobby was one of dozens of spaniels up for adoption or needing foster carers. Spaniel Aid is funded entirely by donations and the generosity of the public and people who adopt dogs from them.

To find out more, and to donate, visit:

donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/spaniels-by-the-sea

Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @spanielsbythesea, here: www.instagram.com/spanielsbythesea/

Harris and Bracken’s story

Fiona Reid, from Musselburgh, Scotland, and her gorgeous Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, Harris and Bracken, are on a mission to walk 9K and raise as much money as possible to support a fellow Dachshund called Daphne.

Daphne was recently rescued by DMT Dachshund Rescue and Support Group, a charity that rescues Dachshunds from the meat trade in China and Korea with the clear mission that no Dachshund gets left behind.

Daphne has a broken leg, and someone sadly cut off her tail, leaving her with an infected stump. The charity wasn’t sure whether her leg could be saved at first; but, after examination, Daphne’s leg can be healed at a heavy cost of £3,700.

To support the charity and Daphne with this bill, Fiona, Harris and Bracken will be walking a 9k coastal walk this August in East Lothian.

To offer them suppawt, and to donate, visit:

donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/fundraising-for-dmt-dachshund-rescue-and-support-group

Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @theworldaccordingtoharris, here:

www.instagram.com/theworldaccordingtoharris/

Buddy’s tail

Daniel Hoole, from Chesterfield, is walking with his spaniel, Buddy, for Phoenix Heroes — a charity that supports veterans.

As a veteran himself, Daniel used Phoenix Heroes when he was suffering from PTSD and, through their support, he was able to get his life back on track by socialising with others, fishing and reflecting on the past.

Daniel says: “The charity is so special to me; they have helped me more than I could put into words. Completing Wagathon with Buddy is great as we are both doing what we love and helping others with similar situations to myself. I recommend this challenge to any dog owners as it’s a fantastic challenge to enjoy with your best friend.”

Instead of completing the 9km in August, Daniel and Buddy will be doing Wagathon around Remembrance Day in Snowdon.