Tag: charity partner

Scottish business club announces new annual charity partner

GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT ANNOUNCED AS THE NEW CHARITY PARTNER AT NETWORKING CLUB, ‘LOVE YOUR BUSINESS’ 

Grassmarket Community Project has been announced as the latest annual Charity Partner at business networking club, Love Your Business, which has attracted over 4500 attendees and 220 guest speakers since it started in 2018, including the Californian eco-entrepreneur Paul Tasner from PulpWorks. 

Love Your Business, which runs monthly at Black Ivy Hotel in Bruntsfield, was founded by Michelle Brown from the eponymous PR agency which she started in 2014. The aim, which continues today, is to help start up and growth businesses to share skills, contacts, referrals and support each other.

Speakers who have shared their entrepreneurial and personal journeys over the years, include Chris van der Kuyl, the chairman and co-founder of the video game company 4J Studios, Social Bite co-founder and motivational coach, Alice Thompson, and former Scotland international rugby player, Scott Hastings. 

This month’s speaker on Thursday 26th March is Laura Thomas, the founder of the luxury lifestyle brand, Laura Thomas Co., who will be sharing her inspiring journey around setting up the business 12 years ago and opening her store in North Berwick four years ago. Her products are 100% natural and chemical-free and the packaging comes from recycled coffee cups and clients include Balmoral Estate, Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and Ballintaggart Hotel.

Over the past seven years the networking club has also supported a different charity each year with a percentage of ticket sales and marketing support.

These include Make 2nds Count, Support in Mind Scotland, now Change Mental Health, Epilepsy Scotland, Invisible Cities, Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh, Carers of East Lothian and last year, Scottish Action for Mental Health, SAMH.

This year’s partnership with Grassmarket Community Project will help to raise even more awareness of the much-needed emotional and practical support they provide for vulnerable people in the city to help enhance their life skills, develop confidence, increase their resilience and encourage self-reliance and independence.

The charity, which was founded 23 years ago and has 33 staff and 116 volunteers, offers everything from a befriending service and employability and training guidance to 25 free weekly activities like woodwork, gardening, meditation and literacy classes and runs a community cinema.

They also have a Coffee Saints café onsite in the Grassmarket and behind St James Quarter, a Tartan Shop with their very own tartan, and hire out event space for corporate events and weddings.

Helene van der Ploeg, Chief Executive Officer at Grassmarket Community Project, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen by Michelle to be her Charity Partner this year.

“As a charity incorporating social enterprises, we really value this partnership, which will help build vital networks among businesses and increase our profile through Michelle’s extensive marketing knowledge and skills.

“This will make such a difference in helping Grassmarket Community Project have a powerful voice for the thousands of people in our city, struggling with complex challenges and living in poverty, barely able to afford the essentials of life.”

Michelle said: “When I first learnt about the Grassmarket Community Project, providing emotional and practical support and services for people in the city who are struggling, I knew immediately I wanted to partner with them to help raise even more awareness of the great work they are doing.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Helene and the team to ensure more people know about the support they can get and locals and visitors to the city know about their tartan shop, café, venue hire and cinema screenings to help keep the charity going in the long term.

“Thanks to everyone who has bought a ticket for Love Your Business over the years and helped to support every Charity Partner.

“There are still tickets left for the networking event on the 26th March with my very special guest speaker, Laura Thomas, who has a wonderfully inspiring story to share.”

Tickets are £20 and available on Eventbrite, link, https://bit.ly/4sCXXTt

Pink Wednesday at Gilded Balloon

PINK WEDNESDAY RETURNS FOR GILDED BALLOON’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH £5 TICKETS ALL DAY 

Discounted tickets via Gilded Balloon box offices and website

TODAY ONLY 

tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

It’s time to paint the town pink once more as Gilded Balloon celebrates their 40th anniversary with another year of their legendary Pink Wednesday – a 24 hour charity day with £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s most in-demand shows!

Join Gilded Balloon’s staff and performers as they bring out their most fabulously pink outfits to fundraise for this year’s charity partner Waverley Care, all whilst enjoying discounted tickets for Fringe shows, fancy dress, competition prizes and more.

With over 200 shows across three venues, fans can snap up £5 tickets for comedy, theatre, family, cabaret and more, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity. 

Fringe fans can enjoy some great entertainment and give back to a good cause, as shows participating in £5 tickets include Baxter vs the Bookies starring Andy Linden, last year’s So You Think You’re Funny winner Alana Jackson with her debut show Last Orders, local Edinburgh comic Michael Welch, Jack Docherty as The Chief with The Chief: Still No Apologies, Kim Blythe, Late’n’Live, Sophia Wren and many more!

Make a night of it with fun interactive shows like John Robertson’s The Dark Room, modern mentalist and hypnotist show PENMAN: The Imaginator – You, karaoke extravaganza Sink or SING!, and IKEA WARS, which challenges two comedians to build Ikea furniture on stage in a battle of wits (and home improvement skills). 

For a full list of shows offering £5 tickets and to book, please visit:

tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

or stop by one of the Box Offices across venues: Patter House, The Museum or our brand new Appleton Tower!

Ts&Cs: £5 plus handling fees. Tickets to participating shows only, whilst stocks last. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance and must be booked on the day via Gilded Balloon’s box offices and website.

Traditionally nicknamed ‘Black Wednesday’ and known as a day of slower ticket sales across the Fringe, Gilded Balloon introduced Pink Wednesday in 2018 to encourage locals and Fringe fans to take a chance on a new show and enjoy discounted tickets, all whilst raising vital funds for charity.

Each £5 ticket sold will see a percentage donated to Waverley Care, as well as charity staff fundraising throughout the day with bucket collections, QR codes and information points. 

Waverley Care was founded in 1989 in response to the HIV epidemic in Edinburgh, the charity now focuses on ending new HIV transmission in Scotland by 2030, while continuing to support people and communities affected by HIV, hepatitis C and sexual health inequalities. 

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re thrilled to offer £5 tickets all day for some of the biggest shows at the Fringe – from Late’n’Live  to Jack Docherty, as well as some of the best rising talent like Alana Jackson, Michael Welch and Sophia Wren.

“Pink Wednesday is the perfect day to get out and see some new shows at a discounted price, all whilst supporting our fantastic charity partner Waverley Care.

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our acts opt in to support Waverley Care and donate a percentage of their £5 ticket sales today to a charity who are doing vitally important work across Scotland.”

Grant Sugden, Chief Executive, Waverley Care said, “We’re thrilled to be Gilded Balloon’s charity partner once again for this year’s Pink Wednesday event.

“As Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C charity, we’re committed to making sure no one feels isolated. We provide safe, inclusive spaces where people can access care and community with dignity, free from stigma.

“Thanks to medical advances, people living with HIV can now live long, healthy lives. But stigma remains a significant barrier that continues to harm many.

“Fundraising events like Pink Wednesday are vital. They enable us to deliver life-changing services, expand access to testing and prevention, and tackle the misconceptions that still surround blood borne viruses.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone taking part and supporting our mission to improve lives across Scotland.”

Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, and everything they do is guided by the experiences of the people they work with – this ranges from shaping the services they deliver through to how they influence national policy around sexual health and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

Waverley Care’s vision is a Scotland where anyone living with or at risk of HIV can expect to be treated with acceptance, support and respect. 

Find out more information and support Waverley Care – www.waverleycare.org 

Tickets  via  www.tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

Dobbies’ fundraising walk raises over £4k for Alzheimer’s Research UK

This month 30 colleagues from Dobbies Central Support Office, based in Lasswade, completed a 25-mile fundraising walk to raise money for its national charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, raising £4,150 and counting, from generous supporters.

The participants walked the almost marathon distance from Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, through Dalkeith Country Park to the mouth of the River Esk at Musselburgh, then joined the John Muir Way along the coast to North Berwick. They began the walk at 7:30am and completed it by 5pm, taking in plenty of places with historical interest and beautiful views.

Dobbies launched its partnership with the UK’s leading dementia research charity in March 2025 as part of its 160-year celebrations.

The partnership grew from gardening being a positive activity for brain health, which in turn can help reduce the risk of dementia. As part of this, Dobbies is supporting the charity’s Think Brain Health campaign to inspire people to keep their brains healthy through garden living.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer[1] and right now, almost one million people in the UK are living with it, putting precious memories and lives at risk. As well as increasing awareness of dementia, this partnership is raising vital funds for a cure through colleague and customer activity.

Laura Adamson, Head of PR, Communications and Events at Dobbies, who

took part in the walk, is feeling proud of what the team has achieved.

Laura said:“Our team has come together to do something really special to raise money for a meaningful cause and partnership that is close to so many of our colleagues and customers.

“The team has quite literally gone the extra mile to show their support for Alzheimer’s Research UK, raising vital funds to support research to find a cure for dementia.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to all our supporters who have been so generous in their donations and we are looking forward to our next fundraiser, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Walk For A Cure, which takes place on Sunday 20 July at Holyrood Park.”

Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“From all of us at Alzheimer’s Research UK, a huge congratulations to the Dobbies Central Support Office team for going the distance to raise funds for dementia research. Walking a combined 750 miles is no mean feat.

“It’s team spirit and efforts like this that highlight why we’re proud to have Dobbies standing with us.

If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change this, we exist for a cure, and with the support of everyone at Dobbies, we won’t stop until we end the heartbreak it causes.”

For more information on the fundraiser and how to donate, visit Dobbies CSO Fundraising Walk.

To sign up to Alzheimer Research UK’s Walk for a Cure, visit Alzheimer’s Research UK : Walk for a Cure Home

For more information about the partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres and Alzheimer’s Research UK, visit | Dobbies Garden Centres.

[1] * Incorporates new Northern Ireland mortality data (released 21 November 2024). Figure calculated using the leading cause of death grouping developed by the World Health Organisation and adopted by the reporting bodies in each of the four nations. Data sources from Office for National Statistics (England and Wales), National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Deaths registered in England and Wales – Office for National Statistics

Registrar General Annual Report 2023 Cause of Death | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Stats and sources can also be found here (included in the boilerplate):

Prevalence and incidence – Dementia Statistics Hub

Gilded Balloon announces new charity partner for Pink Wednesday

Edinburgh venue Gilded Balloon has unveiled a new charity partner for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, joining forces with Scottish charity Waverley Care this August for their legendary Pink Wednesday event.

The new partnership will see Gilded Balloon raise vital funds for Waverley Care throughout the month and specifically on 2024’s Pink Wednesday (7th August) – a fun-filled day of ticket discounts, fancy dress and competitions in aid of charity.  

Gilded Balloon will host Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity at both of their Fringe venues this year – Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland. 

Founded in 1989 in response to the HIV epidemic in Edinburgh, the charity now focuses on ending new HIV transmission in Scotland by 2030, while continuing to support people and communities affected by HIV, hepatitis C and sexual health inequalities. 

As one of Edinburgh Fringe’s original venues, Gilded Balloon created Pink Wednesday in 2018 to combat ‘Black Wednesday’ – a day traditionally known for slower ticket sales across the Festival.

The 24 hour event will see £5 ticket deals on some of Gilded Balloon’s biggest shows for one day only, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care. Acts, customers and staff will join in the fun by dressing in pink for the day, collecting charity donations throughout both venues. 

Plus, customers can donate to Waverley Care all throughout August via QR codes in Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland. 

Renowned for their pink venues which take over Edinburgh in August, Gilded Balloon’s Pink Wednesday will see £5 tickets on sale from venue box offices and Gilded Balloon’s website on the day for huge comedy shows including Jack Docherty in The Chief – No Apologies, Grace Campbell Is On Heat, Chris Hall: Girl For All Seasons, Joshua Bethania: Coming Home, Late’n’Live and many more.

Families can bag a bargain whilst supporting charity, seeing shows including Hypnotist Matt Hale!, Wood Owl and the Box Of Wonders and Lost in the Woods, or enjoy £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s best magicians like Martin Brock, Caspar Thomas and Cameron Young. 

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Waverley Care as our new charity partner for 2024 and can’t wait to welcome their staff to our venues on Pink Wednesday for a day of pink-fuelled ticket discounts in aid of a really important cause.

“Waverley Care has been at the forefront of vital work for those affected by HIV and hepatitis on a national level for over 35 years and we’re delighted to lend our support to them for the whole month of August.

“It’s always fantastic to see our acts, staff and customers join in the fun and support a new charity every year, whilst enjoying some of the very best shows at the Fringe for only £5 – don your best pink outfits and we’ll see you there!”

Siobhan Cameron, Fundraising Officer at Waverley Care, said: “Waverley Care are thrilled to be chosen as Gilded Balloon’s charity partner this Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

“We are so excited to be working with one of Scotland’s leading entertainment venues, reaching more audiences than ever before with our #GetToZero message, and raising vital funds to support anyone affected by HIV or hep C in Scotland.” 

Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, and everything they do is guided by the experiences of the people they work with – this ranges from shaping the services they deliver through to how they influence national policy around sexual health and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

Waverley Care’s vision is a Scotland where anyone living with or at risk of HIV can expect to be treated with acceptance, support and respect. 

Find out more information and support Waverley Care – www.waverleycare.org 

Acts across Gilded Balloon’s jam-packed Fringe roster will take part in discounted tickets for one day only on Pink Wednesday, with a percentage of ticket sales donated to Waverley Care.

With over 130 shows across two venues including Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland, Gilded Balloon’s programme covers comedy, theatre, magic, kids shows and much more. 

Tickets on sale now via  www.tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

Motorpoint marks the opening of its Portobello store with a ribbon cutting and family day

  • UK’s largest independent retailer of nearly new cars and vans formally opens its new Edinburgh store on Baileyfield Road in Portobello.   
  • Motorpoint Edinburgh is the automotive retailer’s second outlet in Scotland and 18th in the UK. There is a store in Glasgow and a preparation centre in Motherwell.   
  • Opening ceremony ribbon cutting performed by talented five-year-old Scottish Highland dancer, Rosie, from the Dunedin Dance Academy.
  • Event kicked off store’s year-long commitment to fundraise for St Columba’s Hospice.
  • Attractions included the ‘live’ creation of a unique Edinburgh landscape on the side of a dirty van by renowned grime artist Ruddy Muddy.

A talented five-year-old dancer performed a ceremonial ribbon-cutting this week as Motorpoint – the UK’s largest independent retailer of nearly new cars and vans –strengthened its growing nationwide network with the official opening of its new store in Edinburgh.

Young Highland dancer Rosie did the honours after performing with fellow dancers from the Dunedin Dance Academy at an event celebrating the opening of the brand’s second retail outlet in Scotland and its 18th in the UK.

As well as dance performances, Motorpoint Edinburgh, which is located on Baileyfield Road in Portobello, also hosted a ‘live’ art installation with acclaimed grime artist Ruddy Muddy.  Throughout the day, he created a stunning image of the world-famous Edinburgh Castle and Greyfriars Bobby in the mud on the side of a Mercedes Benz Vito van.

Visitors to the store were also treated to a stirring musical treat with a performance of piping from the Pipers of Edinburgh, while the store also announced that St Columba’s Hospice Care in Edinburgh is their nominated charity partner for the year.

Richard Start, Regional Retail Director at Motorpoint Edinburgh said: “We were delighted to be able to mark the opening of our latest store in such an inspirational and cultural way and having Rosie perform the ribbon-cutting made it extra special.

“The whole official opening event had a fabulous family feel and it was a joy to have the dancers from the Dunedin Dance Academy, grime van artist Ruddy Muddy, the Pipers of Edinburgh and Paw Patrol with us to provide some great entertainment for our customers.” 

Richard added: “Despite a nationwide shortage of new and nearly new vehicles we have been able to ensure that Motorpoint Edinburgh has the widest possible range of the makes and models that local motorists want the most and all are available to drive away the same day.

“Motorpoint Edinburgh is also proud to bring the brand’s ‘never beaten on price’ promise to the city, helping to deliver market-leading value for car buyers at a time when every penny counts.”

Find out more about Motorpoint Edinburgh here

Scotmid launches search for new charity partner

Charities are being invited by Scotmid to become its new Charity Partner for 2022/23.

The community retailer is looking for an organisation that shares its values and passion for supporting local communities and would like to build a creative and fun partnership to encourage participation and fundraising from staff, members and customers alike.

With a presence in Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland, the partnership must be able to span a wide geography.

Over the last 20 years, Scotmid has raised millions of pounds for their Charity Partners, including the Scottish SPCA, Samaritans, ChildLine and Alzheimer Scotland.

John Brodie, Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: “Our Charity Partnerships are incredibly important to us. Partners benefit from both an exceptional level of fundraising and extended support in their cause from our colleagues and communities.

“We are excited to hear about projects that can benefit our communities from new potential charity partners.”

Scotmid’s current Charity Partner is Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, better known as CHAS. Funds raised through the partnership have supported the vital development and expansion of CHAS’s outreach service, CHAS at Home, helping the charity on its ambitious mission of reaching every child and family that needs their help in communities across Scotland.

Three other children’s hospices across Scotmid’s trading areas have also benefited from funds raised: Jigsaw, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and St Oswald’s Hospice.

Staff working in Scotmid’s food stores, Semichem stores, Scotmid Funerals and Lakes & Dales stores across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England enthusiastically take part in physical challenges, events and traditional in-store fundraising.

Community engagement is also a key element for Scotmid. At the end of last year, children throughout Scotland were invited to design a mascot to represent Scotmid’s charity partnership.

The winning designs, Cuthbert The Fox and Tildy Toadstool, were then brought to life, much to the delight of the talented designers and those who have met the colourful couple!

Angharad Low, Corporate Partnerships Manager at CHAS, said: “It’s been great working with Scotmid to raise awareness and funds for our outreach service, CHAS at Home.

“The passion of Scotmid colleagues, members and customers makes the partnership really special.

“We’re so thankful for the funds that have been raised, which will help families receive quality care in the comfort of their own homes. We would absolutely recommend other charities apply!”

Kirsteen Campbell, CEO Scottish SPCA, said: “Our 2018/19 partnership with the Scotmid Co-operative family was our most successful charity of the year partnership in Scottish SPCA’s history, raising an incredible £325,000.

“Support from Scotmid colleagues enabled us to deliver our ‘Prevention through Education’ programme delivering workshops to 1818 schools and 124 community groups, reaching over 60% of Scotland’s school children! With Scotmid’s support we were able to spread the joy of the human-animal bond further than ever before.

“We’d encourage all charities to apply for this exciting opportunity to be Scotmid’s next Charity Partner.

“You’ll be combining forces with an incredible organisation who really cares about making a massive difference in local communities What are you waiting for? Apply today!”

To apply to be Scotmid’s Charity of the Year 2022/23, please go to:

https://scotmid.coop/community-and-charity/charity-of-the-year-applications/

Applications are open until 5pm on Friday 6 May 2022.

Dobbies’ stores across Edinburgh gets into the festive spirit with a Christmas Shopping Night

Raising funds for national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting shoppers across Edinburgh to join them for extended shopping hours to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Taking place from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday 25 November in Dobbies’ Edinburgh and Livingston stores, in addition to little dobbies Stockbridge, the Christmas Shopping Night will showcase the Christmas ranges, and feature competitions, discount vouchers, demos and sampling.

Customers across Edinburgh will have the opportunity to make donations to Dobbies’ national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, write festive messages on Christmas baubles for the Wish Tree, and win prizes in a fantastic festive raffle.

The Christmas Your Way raffle will offer customers the chance to win all the items featured on specially created Christmas trees. There’s a tree for chocolate fans in partnership with Lindt, one for kids with Living Nature, one for those who love their pets with Chuckit, gardening gurus with Burgon and Ball, and fashionistas with Powder. The raffle will open on the night and close on 17December.

*Dobbies’ stores will offer an exclusive preview of their Christmas Grotto and customers will be able to enjoy a two-course festive meal at Dobbies’restaurants for £12.95, choosing from vegan and vegetarian options as well as traditional turkey with all the trimmings. This is bookable in advance.

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager said: “Christmas is a time of year we all look forward to at Dobbies stores across Edinburgh, and we can’t wait to welcome people for a full festive experience with our late opening evening. There will be a free welcome drink and a range of Christmas gifts, decorations and products to choose from.

“Most importantly, we are raising funds for our national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, who do incredible work with young people across the country. It’s going to be the perfect way to get the festive season started.”

Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationship Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted to collaborating with Dobbies as they stay open late on 25 November.

“The donations from Dobbies’ customers will enable us to give the gift of care from our nurses, or the gift of community on one of our specialist units, to young cancer patients across the UK.”

For more details on Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night, visit:

https://www.dobbies.com/events

There is a £1 donation to attend, with all monies raised going to Teenage Cancer Trust – this is available in-store in advance or on the night.

Dobbies is also going to be sharing some festive joy in the run up to Christmas, celebrating community groups, charities, clubs and neighbourhoods who make a difference to their local areas.

Not Your Average Community will see three local groups from across the UK win £1,000 to spend on decorations to brighten up their local area for Christmas.

For more details visit https://www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-community.

*little dobbies Stockbridge is excluded from the Christmas Grotto and restaurant offering.

Wondrous Woods shines a light on Maggie’s 25th Anniversary

Spectacular lighting trail’s glowing tribute to cancer support charity’s birthday  

Scotland’s spectacular lighting trail Wondrous Woods – now extended to Sunday, November 21 – has honoured its charity partner with a glowing tribute to celebrate the cancer support organisation’s 25th anniversary.  

Maggie’s is currently celebrating 25 years and last night (November 4) the spotlight shone on the charity with a special evening of illuminations at the Wondrous Woods event at Hopetoun House. 

The magnificent stately home radiated with an amber glow as the charity’s orange logo was projected onto the mansion which was also lit up in the same hue.  And along the woodland trail orange lasers punctuated the magical forest journey through the grounds in tribute to Maggie’s 25 years of providing expert support to people with cancer, their friends and family. 

Visitors to this year’s Wondrous Woods, which runs until November 14th, are also being invited to help raise vital funds for Maggie’s by opting to donate to the charity, which relies almost entirely on voluntary donations, when they buy tickets for the trail. 

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group, this year’s celebratory trail includes several sound and special effects installations and has been showcasing a host of new and exciting festival-themed features including Kaleidoscope, Rubik’s Cube, Loo Lane and UV Madness. 

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “We’re just delighted to be associated with Maggie’s and wanted to pay tribute, in our own way, to the fantastic job they do – and have been doing for the past quarter of a century.  

“Their support centres, empathy and advice are so important for people coping with a cancer diagnosis which is such shattering news for patients, family and friends. 

“The fact that Maggie’s services are free is fantastic but that cannot happen without constant support and funding.  We hope that by highlighting their amazing work we might prompt some additional contributions.” 

Andrew Anderson, Centre Head at Maggie’s Edinburgh said: “Maggie’s Edinburgh was the first centre to open in 1996 so to have a light shone, literally, on our work locally is wonderful.

“It was a fantastic tribute to everyone who has enabled us to do so much over the last 25 years and a beacon of light for the years to come. Thanks to everyone who is supporting us through Wondrous Woods.” 

For further information about Wondrous Woods and to purchase tickets, visit www.wondrouswoods.com 

Wondrous Woods launches charity partnership with Maggie’s

Scotland’s spectacular lighting trail proud to celebrate cancer support charity’s 25th anniversary  

Scotland’s dazzling lighting trail Wondrous Woods is proud to announce its charity partner for 2021 is the inspirational cancer support organisation Maggie’s.  

Maggie’s celebrates 25 years of providing expert support to people with cancer and their friends and family and Wondrous Woods is inviting centre visitors at Maggie’s to the lighting extravaganza to help raise vital funds.  

The lighting trail, which runs from October 21st to November 14th, will illuminate Hopetoun House, just outside Edinburgh, and light up a magical woodland journey through its beautiful grounds.

This year visitors will help to pay tribute to Maggie’s vital work  with the chance to donate to the charity which relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to support people living with cancer, their family and friends. 

To celebrate the organisation’s 25th anniversary, on the 4th November a Maggie’s logo will appear illuminated against the magnificent backdrop of the House and orange lasers will punctuate the trail. 

Wondrous Woods is also offering discounted tickets to 250 Maggie’s newsletter readers and running a social media competition to win family tickets for the event and the opportunity to experience the grandeur of the ancestral home with a sumptuous evening of drinks, plus a hamper of food courtesy of Maggie’s, served in the Tapestry Room. 

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group, this year’s celebratory trail includes several sound and special effects installations and showcases a host of new and exciting festival-themed features including Kaleidoscope, Rubik’s Cube, Loo Lane and UV Madness. 

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “Maggie’s do a truly amazing job providing support centres and information for people who are coping with a terrible change in their lives.

“And the fantastic thing is that their services are absolutely free. But they constantly need funding to provide these and we’re hoping that people who come along to Wondrous Woods will not only have a wonderful experience but also take the opportunity to combine that with supporting this inspirational charity. 

“We are thrilled to be associated with Maggie’s and hope to do them proud in their silver anniversary year.”  

Visitors who opt to support Maggie’s will be able to choose from different levels of donation when they purchase tickets for the trail. 

Maggie’s Andrew Anderson at Maggie’s Edinburgh said: “We are honoured that Wondrous Woods  has chosen to support Maggie’s this year. Maggie’s has been there for people with cancer and their families during the most difficult of times. 

“Maggie’s Edinburgh was the first centre to open in 1996 and this year we are celebrating 25 years of expertise. 

“We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to support people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, so we are so grateful for your support.” 

For further information about Wondrous Woods and to purchase tickets, visit www.wondrouswoods.com