Dobbies Garden Centres is encouraging paw-rents to show their pooches some love this Valentine’s Day at its brand-new dog event at its Edinburgh store that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
Renowned for its love of dogs, Dobbies is hosting this event from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 February, giving customers a great opportunity to take a paw-fect digital picture against the Valentine’s backdrop to treasure for years to come. Dogs will snuffle around the store in a sniff-ari trail, with a gift bag reward at the end featuring a Valentine’s dog toy, dog treats and money off vouchers.
Customers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will be able to share the love and add a donation while booking the event, helping with Dogs Trust’s mission of caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming thousands of dogs every year.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming a variety of dog breeds to the event, supporting a wonderful cause. She said: “This is the first in our series of experiences for dogs at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this year and we’re excited to see every customer (paws included) enjoy all the fun that can be had at the My Paw-fect Valentine event.
“Share the love with your pooch, create a memorable moment and support Dogs Trust who are doing remarkable work for dogs in need.”
Well behaved dogs on a lead are warmly welcomed at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and in a dedicated area of the restaurant. Explore the fantastic range of pet products at Dobbies, with everything from healthy treats and dog attire to terrific toys.
Customers can take part in Dobbies’ monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.
Dobbies’ Paw-fect Valentine event at the Edinburgh store is priced at £12.50 per pooch.
For more information about the event and participating stores, visit www.dobbies.com/events.
To celebrate 75 years of the iconic event, the Tattoo donates 75p from every Show ticket sold for 2025
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is proud to announce that St Columba’s Hospice Care has been selected to receive a special one-off charity donation of up to £162,000 in celebration of its 75th Anniversary in 2025.
This donation marks a milestone in Tattoo history and aligns with the ‘Performance with a Purpose’ ethos, underscoring the commitment to giving back to the community by supporting essential projects. With over 50,000 votes cast, the public chose from a selection of non-military charities that all provide vital services across communities in the UK.
This donation, equating to 75p from each ticket sold for the 2025 Show, is in addition to the Tattoo’s usual charitable giving, supporting both military and arts charities in the UK with annual donations from surplus profit. The Tattoo’s annual charitable giving will continue alongside this new initiative, as it aims to build up to pre-Covid donations of £1M a year which is thanks to those who attend the Show each year.
St Columba’s Hospice Care has been a beacon of support for individuals and families for nearly 50 years, providing compassionate care to those facing the profound challenges of palliative and end-of-life care, and leaving a lasting, meaningful impact on countless lives.
The values and community spirit of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closely align with those of St Columba’s Hospice Care. The funds donated will enable the team to continue their vital work both in the Hospice, and in the community, and ensure that the services remain free and accessible to everyone in need across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
With the theme for next year’s Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, spotlighting the individuals who have shaped and supported the iconic performances over the past 75 years, this additional donation gives the charity the means to pay tribute to their own heroes and continue their essential work.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “Our 75th Anniversary is a momentous occasion, and we are delighted to celebrate it by supporting local Edinburgh charity, St Columba’s Hospice Care and their team of loyal volunteers, dedicated staff and patients.
“Their dedication to providing comfort, dignity and peace to patients at end of life as well as support for their loved ones is truly inspiring.
“This donation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to giving back to our communities and we are honoured to contribute to the heroic efforts of St Columba’s Hospice Care.”
Jackie Stone, CEO at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to receive this special 75th Anniversary donation from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
“This incredible support comes at a critical time for hospice care, as we continue to navigate significant funding pressures, with rising costs and growing demand for our services.
“It’s a wonderful start to the new year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who voted and to the Tattoo for their generosity. This donation will make a real difference in helping us provide vital care and support to patients and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025
They are being shared with Smart Works Scotland, which provides clothing and coaching to help women into employment , and Grassroots Clothing, an Edinburgh charity which supplies interview clothing to men in need.
Johnston Carmichael encouraged its people to donate high quality garments suitable for wearing at interviews as part of its ongoing drive to attract a more diverse range of candidates, including returners to work seeking to re-establish their careers.
Jane O’Berg, tax director, Johnston Carmichael, said:“Promoting greater diversity in the workplace is a priority for us as a business.
“We’ve embarked on several initiatives to attract new talent, including our JC Futures apprenticeship scheme, and our partnership with ICAS Foundation to support accountancy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but we also want to engage with experienced individuals.
“People take career breaks for all sorts of reasons, from having children to looking for a change of direction. We want those who are ready to return to accountancy to know that our door is open, and we hope our donations to Smart Works Scotland and Grassroots Clothing help people across all sectors to take the next step in finding their dream job.”
Each office in the firm’s network across Scotland, the North East of England and London, hosted its own donation station, with several gaining support from other co-located businesses and clients. More than 20 boxes of clothing were collected and all items donated were new or nearly new.
Karen Wilson, Head of Smart Works Scotland said:“Johnston Carmichael’s contribution to Smart Works Scotland, comes at a pivotal time, as we are supporting more women into work than we ever have before.
“Not only are we in the final year of our three-year-plan, to support over 10,000 women nationally by 2025, but we have also just moved to a bigger Edinburgh centre, meaning we can significantly increase the number of women we support.
“Our clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and two thirds of women who find their way to a Smart Works centre get the job within one month of their appointment.
“It means a great deal to us to have the support of Johnston Carmichael and we thank everyone at the firm who got involved. We welcome any further donations at such a pivotal time for our charity, to help us in our goal of helping as many women across Scotland as we can.”
Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are celebrating a year of giving after their charitable efforts topped more than £378,000 in donations across Scotland.
Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including Barratt’s Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.
Over the last 12 months, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities throughout the Lothians and Fife – coming at a vital time when many families, individuals and organisations have been affected by rising costs. In total, £82,500 has been donated to good causes in the region.
At the start of the year, the East of Scotland division named Cash for Kids its main charity partner for 2024/2025 and has since raised a whopping £63,000 for the organisation through donations and various fundraising activities.
The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people living locally who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. The cause also works with grass-roots organisations that aim to make a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go.
In Fife, Fife Gingerbread – a Glenrothes-based charity that provides accessible, approachable and non-judgemental support, advice and information to lone parents – was awarded £1,500 by the housebuilder, as well as nine members of staff volunteering their time over two days at the charity’s allotment project.
Meanwhile, Broxburn-based River Kids received a donation of £1,500 to help support disadvantaged children living in and around the West Lothian community.
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to support causes that are carrying out essential work in communities throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. We’re always looking to use our scale for good where and when we can, and our teams have been on hand throughout the year to support this through a mix of volunteering and fundraising, in addition to Community Fund donations.
“There is so much vital work being done throughout the country, and we hope that we can continue to help make a difference in local communities in 2025.”
For the fifth consecutive year, award-winning Scottish housebuilder Cruden has spread festive goodwill by partnering with Trussell, an anti-poverty charity that operates a community of over 1,400 food banks across the UK.
Since 2020, Cruden has made an incredible contribution of over £66,000 and approximately 30 tonnes of food supplies to food banks in the Trussell community, providing vital relief to families and individuals facing hunger and hardship across the UK. These collective efforts have fostered a profound sense of community and care across Scotland during the festive season.
This year, Cruden has continued its notable support by collecting an additional £9,000 in donations and over 6 tonnes of essential supplies, including non-perishable food, toiletries, and festive treats. These provisions were distributed to food banks across Scotland, to support people most in need during the cost-of-living crisis.
These achievements have been made possible through the dedication of Cruden staff, contractors, and partners, who united across six developments and the Central Belt of Scotland to contribute high-priority items identified by local food banks.
Colin Kennedy, Construction Director at Cruden, said:“We’re immensely proud of the impact we’ve made over the past five years in supporting Trussell.
“This year’s contributions are more critical than ever, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who participated. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of families who need it most during the festive season.”
Sophie Carre, Head of Public Engagement at Trussell said: “Thank you to Cruden for supporting Trussell.
“Between March and September this year food banks in Trussell’s UK-wide community distributed more than more than 1.4m emergency food parcels to people facing hardship – this is an increase of 69% over the same period five years ago. More than 500,000 of these parcels were distributed for children.
“Food bank teams are working tirelessly to help people unable to afford the essentials and thanks to the generosity of supporters like Cruden, they can continue to provide vital emergency support in their communities, while we work together to end the need for food banks in the UK. Thank you.”
Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Denise Syme of the Shaun Woodburn Memorial Trust for their very generous donation of £1,465.
This donation will go towards helping our teams who are travelling to Craig Tara Tournament in May 2025.
The purpose of the Shaun Woodburn Memorial Trust was to raise funds for children up to 18 yrs of age and to help them in any sporting endeavour that they have. The fund is registered as an SCIO in Scotland and is registered with the appropriate government bodies.
The funds generated by the Trust will be used to help individuals, and clubs to purchase equiptment to be used in any sporting endeavour, football, rugby, hockey, basketball etc, these funds will only be used within Edinburgh and the Lothians and focusing on the more under priveliged areas of our community.
Shaun was a very talented young man, and not only in a sporting sense.
He regularly sponsored and mentored others in various ways , particularly fitness, and the trustees are all family and close friends of Shaun , and as such we are determined to keep his legacy going forward into the future.
Fort Kinnaird is calling on customers to help spread festive cheer in the community this Christmas.
The centre has teamed up with Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based charity that tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness, to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.
The local community are being asked to write their warm wishes in a Christmas card or letter and post without an envelope in its ‘Letters of Hope’ mailbox free of charge. The initiative will then see these heartfelt Christmas cards distributed to those at risk of homelessness in and around Edinburgh.
There will also be a contactless donation point where shoppers can tap to donate £3, £5 or £10 as well as a QR code displayed on the side of the post box where visitors will be able to tap to make donations and support the charity’s vital work in the city.
The initiative is part of Cyrenians’ Winter Appeal which launched earlier this week to support the charity’s services to stop homelessness in its tracks. The city is facing significant housing challenges, and the funds raised will help Cyrienians reach more people this winter, while providing a little light through initiatives like the Letters of Hope mailbox.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, we know that the winter months, and especially the festive season, can be challenging for those experiencing homelessness.
“It’s our visitors who make Christmas so special for us here at Fort Kinnaird, so we know we can count on them to spread some cheer to those who need it most.
“We hope our ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, and the fundraising support for Cyrenians, will help to bring a few more smiles over the seasonal period.”
Sophie Bell, Fundraising Manager at Cyrenians, said: “Winter is dark enough, so we are delighted to be partnering with Fort Kinnaird this season to bring a little light to those who need it most.
“Cyrenians works across the community to break the cycle of homelessness. With services across addiction recovery, family mediation, supported housing, food distribution and more, we will provide vital support to many people who are struggling this Christmas. Thanks to Fort Kinnaird and their customers, we can work to tackle homelessness together.”
Letters and cards can be posted into the special post box – located outside ODEON Cinema – from now until 20th December when they will be distributed by Cyrenians in plenty of time for Christmas.
The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, has announced its Christmas events plan to raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), which includes its first-ever Christmas ‘Movie Under the Stars Drive-In’ and free festive workshops.
This is the third year the shopping centre has partnered with CHAS, which provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Various events over the years have included an Elf Walk and Breakfast with Santa.
This year on the 6th December, The Centre, Livingston is hosting its first-ever Christmas ‘Movies Under The Stars Drive-In’ on the 3rd floor of Car Park 1, featuring the family-favourite film, Elf at 6pm, and the classic romantic comedy, Love Actually at 9pm.
All proceeds will be going to CHAS. Terms & Conditions are on the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com.
Kids will also get the chance to decorate a special bauble, with help from Santa’s Elves, and hang them on the Christmas trees at festive arts and crafts workshops, located near the Post Office. These will run on weekends in the run up to Christmas; 30th November – 1st December, 7th – 8th December and 14th – 15th December, between 11am-4pm.
As part of the charity partnership, CHAS will also be hosting a pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December to raise funds and awareness about the services they offer.
Throughout the festive period shoppers will also be able to make donations at two CHAS contactless pods, located opposite the Post Office and next to the washroom facilities adjacent to Hotel Chocolat, which will be in situ until the end of the year.
Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are very excited to launch our Christmas events plan this year, which includes our first Christmas Drive-In Movie Night and free festive arts and crafts, to help raise money for CHAS again.
“This is a charity which is very close to our hearts which is why we like to partner with them at this time of year to help raise funds and even more awareness of the incredible work they are doing. We look forward to welcoming them at their pop up on the last weekend of November.”
Alison Rennie, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are very excited to partner with The Centre, Livingston for another magical Christmas season.
“Their incredible support helps us bring joy, comfort and unforgettable moments to children with life-limiting conditions and their families during the most precious time of the year. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“We are really looking forward to hosting our pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December. Visitors can meet our team and learn more about the vital care we provide. We’ll also be selling a range of festive CHAS Christmas merchandise, perfect for gifts, and some of your favourite characters will be there to add to the holiday magic.
“We’ll also be joined by the wonderful Linlithgow Male Choir, who will be entertaining shoppers with carol singing on Saturday, adding to the festive cheer.”
Other activities taking place at The Centre, Livingston include an ‘Advent Calendar Spin the Wheel’, located near Waterstones, where shoppers will get the chance to win various prizes every day from the 1st – 24th December.
These include a luxury Velvetiser hot chocolate machine from Hotel Chocolat, worth £99.95, a Rituals Gift Set worth £43.90, JBL Headphones from Vodaphone worth £50, a meal for two at wagamama and lots more. Daily updates can be found on The Centre, Livingston social media channels.
The arts spectacular is calling on fans to choose a charity to receive a special 75p donation from every ticket sold for the 2025 performance
In celebration of the upcoming 75th anniversary, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo launches its new initiative to donate 75p of every 2025 Show ticket sold to a new charity.
Tattoo fans are being asked to vote from selected charities to receive this one-off donation which could equate to £162,000 in line with expected ticket sales.
The theme for next year’s Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, will spotlight the individuals who have shaped and supported the iconic performances over the past 75 years. This theme aligns with the Tattoo’s ethos of ‘Performance with a Purpose’ and its commitment to honour people across the country and support the heroes who are making a difference in their communities.
In line with this ethos and in addition to the brand’s annual charitable donations, five charities have been shortlisted to win the share of the 75p per ticket charity donation for one year only.
The shortlisted five charities have been nominated by Tattoo staff who put a case forward for them to be on the list, these are all non-military charities that are close to the hearts of those who put on the iconic spectacle.
They are: the British Heart Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Parkinsons UK, Rock Trust and St Columba’s Hospice Care.
The Tattoo’s annual charitable giving continues alongside this new initiative, as it aims to build up to pre-Covid donations of £1M a year which is thanks to those who attend the Show each year. Charities that are continuing to benefit include The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, the Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and the Scottish Schools Pipe and Drums Trust.
Fans of the Tattoo across the UK are invited to cast their vote to determine which charity will receive the 75th anniversary donation.
Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 5 January 2025. Stay updated by following Tattoo social media channels, where the winning charity will be announced in January 2025.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive Officer at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “In celebrating 75 years of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we honour the heroes who have made the Tattoo so great throughout the years. Additionally, we honour the local heroes within our communities in Edinburgh, throughout Scotland, and around the world.
“Charitable giving is at the heart of everything the Tattoo does. Being able to contribute to our longstanding charitable partners as well as selecting a specific charity chosen by the Tattoo fans is a special benefit this year.
“We are committed to continuing our legacy of making a meaningful impact to those who continue to make a difference in our communities every day.
“I encourage everyone to join us in this celebration by casting their vote to support a worthy cause.”
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025.
Wealth management team raises thousands in Fife coastal path challenge
A LEADING wealth management firm has more than doubled its fundraising target after completing a 23-mile charity walk from Elie to St Andrews.
Tweed Wealth Management members walked the Fife coastal path and raised £4,852, smashing their fundraising target of £2,000.
The Edinburgh-based firm’s charity challenge was in aid of St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, which backs hundreds of carefully selected projects that make a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives.
Alison Welsh, Co-founder of Tweed Wealth Management, said: “Our annual charity challenge is a cornerstone of our company culture. It not only allows us to contribute to important causes but also strengthens the bonds within our team as we work together towards a common goal.
“The St James’s Place Charitable Foundation does such vital work, and being able to contribute to that in our own way is something I’m very proud of. The trek was challenging but the team powered through, and to see us smash our initial fundraising target is extremely rewarding.”
The St James’s Place Charitable Foundation is the charitable arm of the wealth management firm St James’s Place, and supports disadvantaged children, hospices, mental health initiatives, and cancer support charities across the UK and abroad.
Tweed Wealth Management has a longstanding tradition of supporting the foundation through its annual charity challenge which is a broader commitment to giving back to the community.
In previous years, the team has undertaken feats, including a hike to the summit of Beinn Alligin, and cycling around the island of Arran, raising substantial funds in the process. This year’s walk has proven to be equally successful, with the team raising thousands over its fundraising target.
Alison added: “Knowing the difference we could make gave us all the motivation to get our trainers on and make sure we seen it through. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to our challenge so far.”
To donate to Tweet Wealth Managements charity challenge, visit:
