charity support – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

LifeCare launches Christmas Campaign

Local charity LifeCare is asking for donations to ensure older people living alone this Christmas receive a gift

LifeCare Edinburgh, the local older people’s care charity, proudly celebrated its 85th anniversary this year, supporting older people and unpaid carers for longer than the NHS has existed.

Last year, Lifecare supported over 800 clients – an increase of 32% on the previous year – with almost 700 of their clients living alone. LifeCare’s services often provide the only in-person contact for many of their clients.

Each year, LifeCare delivers Christmas gift packs to their most isolated clients. These packs are filled with thoughtful gifts including a selection of treats (hot drink sachets, sweets and biscuits), an activity book, something warm (like cosy socks/gloves/hats) and a surprise extra gift. Included are also handwritten Christmas cards from local school children, clubs and volunteers.

“Margaret was delighted, she put her scarf on straight away and enjoyed the hot chocolate with her biscuits.”

This year, LifeCare is inviting the community to help them ensure 300 of their most isolated clients receive Christmas gift packs through their Christmas Campaign. They are asking for donations of £10 to go towards a gift pack and invite those who donate to write a personalised message which will be handwritten on the gift tag.

By donating £10 towards LifeCare’s Christmas Campaign today, you ensure an older person living alone has something to open, a moment of warmth, a feeling of connection, feels seen and smiles this Christmas.

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare, said: “Christmas is a wonderful time for many, but for many of our clients it is a day spent alone.

“Edinburgh is the loneliest city in the UK – with 3 in 5 over 50’s experiencing loneliness – and Christmas can often intensify this.

“Here at LifeCare we understand the challenges Christmas can bring. Through our Christmas campaign we hope to ensure warmth, joy and connection to those who need it most. Every £10 donated means so much more than the gift pack, it is reminding our clients that they have a community behind them and that they are not alone.

“We are creating more packs than ever due to more clients living in isolation.

“In lieu of buying Christmas cards or a gift this year, why not choose to donate towards our Christmas Appeal.

“We want to thank everyone who has already supported the campaign and look forward to hand-delivering the gift packs to those who need them most.”

LifeCare are also offering unique gifting opportunities through their Friends for LifeCare membership.

Why not do something a little different this year for your friends and family. Their Friends for LifeCare memberships include a welcome pack filled with a bespoke badge, letter, certificate and more.

Gift with meaning and ensure local older people get the help, support and connection they need, today, tomorrow and in the years to come. Full details are available on the charity’s website, social media or pop in and speak to someone at the Community Hub.

If you would like to ensure an isolated older person receives something this Christmas, donate just £10 towards LifeCare’s Christmas appeal.

You can visit their website www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or visit their Community Hub on 2 Cheyne St, EH4 1JB.

Letter: Knit and crochet this November for Bowel Cancer UK

Dear Editor,

Could you knit or crochet a little hope this festive season for people affected by bowel cancer?

Bowel Cancer UK is inviting stitchers to get sponsored to knit or crochet a star a day or do your own thing, every day in November. You can attempt our star, knit a Christmas jumper, crochet tea cosies, sew a special Star of Hope symbol or anything in between! If you can’t stitch every day, then you can choose a challenge that suits you.

Your donations could help save lives through earlier diagnosis, improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease and bring us one step closer to a future where nobody dies from bowel cancer.

Sign up today and receive your free online welcome pack including your knitting and crochet patterns: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/knitting

Yours sincerely,

Genevieve Edwards

Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK

Unit 301, Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5DP

Local bands to play every Beatles album in a marathon of music for leading MND charity

LIVE MUSIC CHARITY EVENT AT PORTOBELLO TOWN HALL

SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER

Over 11 hours of music by 12 Edinburgh bands, playing 13 albums by The Beatles for charity.

Talented bands from across Scotland are taking part in The Beatles Marathon UK, a day-long musical journey held at Portobello Town Hall on Saturday 14^th November 2026, starting at midday. Bands will play all 13 studio albums by The Beatles to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

This is the third Marathon, after hugely successful events in 2023 and 2024 raised over £21,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by late rugby legend Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2017.

Money raised for the Foundation is used to support those suffering from the disease, their families, and ultimately funds research to find a cure.

For co-founders Scott and Stuart McGachan, the Marathon is deeply personal. Growing up alongside their older sister Clare, there was never a moment without music at home. The trio were raised by their parents Pat and Moira on a musical diet of Gerry Rafferty, Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, and – of course – The Beatles.

In 2021, Pat was diagnosed with MND and his health quickly deteriorated. MND affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse with time. There is no cure – only treatments to reduce the impact it has on a person’s life.

Stuart, who had now moved to the US, had hoped to take his father to Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where a single band takes on the entire Beatles catalogue over the course of a day. But Pat’s health meant that travelling to the US was not an option.

It was clear that the Marathon would have to come to Pat, and so Stuart and Scott founded The Beatles Marathon UK, hoping that their father would be able to enjoy all of the hits by the fab four one last time. Sadly, it was not to be, and Pat passed away just weeks before the first event in 2023.

The Beatles Marathon UK now stands as a tribute to Pat and all those fighting MND. Funds raised during the event will empower the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to support individuals like Pat, and provide much-needed assistance to families like the McGachans as they navigate through one of the most challenging chapters of their lives.

This year’s event will feature a digital release of Pat’s version of ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’, sung by Pat himself. With parallels to the production of ‘Now and Then’, released by The Beatles in 2023, the McGachan family were able to isolate Pat’s vocals from a 2016 demo he recorded.

Pat’s composition of the 1965 track, which he called the “cowboy version”, has been professionally recorded with a little help from his friends and family who play on the recording.

This process gave those involved one final opportunity to play and sing in harmony with Pat. The result is a beautiful and heartfelt rendition, true to Pat’s vision. The record will be released on streaming platforms in the lead-up to the Marathon, and Scott’s band Unrising Sun will play Pat’s version of ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’ on the night, featuring guest appearances.

Tickets for this year’s Beatles Marathon UK are on sale and selling fast. They can be purchased through the event’s website at www.BeatlesMarathon.com. The event is family-friendly, with free entry for under 6s and discounted tickets for under 18s. Food and drink is on offer from local vendors, and additional entertainment is available for children.

Bands playing at this year’s Marathon include Sebastian Dangerfield, Broken by Rock, Hard Dave’s Night, The Charles Hawtrey Band, Unrising Sun, Jumbo Gibson, Mountain People, Kings of Marigold, The Bad Eggs, Lollapaloosers, and Eight Arms to Hold You.

Help Space in Broomhouse reach pool table target

We are 73% of the way to our £300 target. Can you push us across the finish line?

Please donate today & help @SpaceBroomhouse continue making Fridays @ The Hub something to look forward to for young people across Broomhouse.

CWP Energy supports Scotland Women in Search and Rescue Event

CWP Energy is proud to have supported the Scotland Women in Search and Rescue (SAR) event through a £1,500 grant towards event T-shirts, helping bring together women volunteers and professionals from across Scotland’s lifesaving community.

Forty-seven women attended the event, representing 25 different lifeboat stations across Scotland, including both RNLI and independent lifeboat stations, as well as RNLI Lifeguards.

The two-day event provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, develop skills, build networks and celebrate the growing role of women within the search and rescue sector. The event was hosted by the lifeboat stations at Dunbar, Eyemouth and St Abbs and featured both practical activities afloat and learning opportunities ashore.

The Scotland Women in SAR initiative was created to bring women from across the search and rescue community together, offering opportunities for skills development, collaboration and discussions that help shape the future of women in lifesaving services.

Supporting Communities Beyond Energy

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting local communities, CWP Energy was delighted to contribute funding towards branded event T-shirts, helping create a sense of unity and recognition amongst participants attending from across the country.

Diane Wood, Director of ESG at CWP Energy, said: “At CWP Energy, we are committed to supporting organisations that make a real difference within our communities.

“The Scotland Women in SAR event provided an incredible opportunity for women from across Scotland’s search and rescue network to come together, share knowledge and build lasting connections.

“We are proud to have supported the event and to recognise the dedication of the volunteers and professionals who give their time to help keep people safe.”

The event brought together a diverse group of women involved in maritime and coastal rescue operations, creating a platform for learning, mentorship and collaboration across multiple organisations.

Ian Wilson, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Dunbar Lifeboat Station, said: “The Scotland Women in SAR event was a fantastic success and demonstrated the strength, expertise and commitment of women serving in search and rescue roles across Scotland.

“Bringing together representatives from 25 stations created valuable opportunities to learn from one another, share experiences and strengthen the networks that support lifesaving operations.

“We are extremely grateful to CWP Energy for their funding towards the event T-shirts, which helped create a strong sense of team spirit and identity throughout the weekend.”

The event highlighted the vital contribution women make within search and rescue services and reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for collaboration and development across the sector.

RHASS and Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral come together to celebrate Scotland’s farmers at Harvest Thanksgiving service

The hard work and contribution of Scotland’s farming community has been recognised in the heart of Edinburgh at a Harvest Thanksgiving service hosted by St Giles’ Cathedral and supported by RHASS (the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland).

This years’ service held particular significance for RHASS, with its 2026–27 Presidential Initiative (PI) representing the Lothians and celebrating the people, produce, businesses and organisations that make the region one of Scotland’s most important agricultural areas.

The annual service took place on Sunday 4 October at the historic cathedral and was conducted by Rev Scott Rennie, Chaplain and Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, who is also a member of this year’s Lothian Presidential Team.

Bringing Scotland’s rural and city communities together, the service celebrated the people behind the country’s harvest and recognised the vital role farmers and producers play in putting food on tables across Scotland.

Displays of seasonal vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli and pumpkins, were donated by RHASS Directors and M&S, with produce sourced from farms across the country to showcase the variety of food grown in Scotland.

Following the service, the produce was donated to Edinburgh charities Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, the Grassmarket Community Project and The Salvation Army, helping to provide nutritious meals for people in need.

Those arriving at Sunday’s service were also greeted by a John Deere 9RX, a four-track tractor which is built to pull massive tillage, seeding, and land-preparation equipment across huge acreages and kindly provided by Thomas Sherriffs of Haddington. Bringing a striking piece of Scotland’s farming industry to the heart of Edinburgh and highlighting the machinery used by farmers during harvest.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service takes place annually at St Giles’ Cathedral, with this year’s service forming part of the RHASS Lothian PI 2026–27, a year-long programme celebrating the people, businesses and organisations across the region.

The programme will culminate in a dedicated Presidential Showcase at the 2027 Royal Highland Show, RHASS’s flagship fundraising event.

Funds raised throughout the Presidential Initiative’s 2026–27 tenure will support RHASS and its partner charities, RHET (The Royal Highland Education Trust) and SAYFC (the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs).

RHASS Chairman, James Logan, said: “Our role at RHASS is to champion Scotland’s rural community all year round, and the Harvest Thanksgiving service is an important opportunity to recognise the hard work of farmers and producers across the country.

“It also gives us the chance to celebrate the incredible variety of produce grown here in Scotland and to bring farming into the heart of Edinburgh, helping people connect the food on our plates with the people and communities who produce it.

“This year’s service is particularly poignant as our Presidential Team is representing the Lothians, making it a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the farmers, producers and fantastic produce we have right here on our doorstep.

“We are extremely grateful to the farmers and RHASS Directors who donated produce, which will now benefit local Edinburgh charities, and to everyone who joined us at St Giles’ Cathedral. We hope the service helped shine a light on the essential contribution Scotland’s farming community makes every day.”

The service followed the team’s first fundraising event at St Giles’ Cathedral on Saturday 3 October, which saw guests enjoy a special evening of live music from performers from Sing in the City.

Wider PI activity will continue with a Day at the Races in January 2027 and a Gala Dinner at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the National Galleries of Scotland in March 2027, alongside farm visits, community events and fundraising activity throughout the year.

Industry support at Glee raises record amount for the Greenfingers Charity

The Greenfingers Charity is celebrating a fundraising milestone, with the garden retail sector coming together to raise a grand total of £5,912 at Glee 2026 – surpassing last year’s impressive £4,200 and marking the strongest Glee total to date.

The money was generated through a series of activities across the show, including the much‑loved Floral Thursday, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to supporting the charity’s work creating therapeutic gardens at children’s hospices across the UK.

The biggest contribution came from Floral Thursday, which once again transformed the halls of Glee into a vibrant celebration of colour and creativity. Exhibitors and visitors donned their finest floral attire, with exhibitors and visitors alike sporting bloom-inspired shirts, dresses, suits and accessories; all whilst donating generously and buying raffle tickets throughout the day.

By midday, a very festive-looking crowd gathered at Glee’s Centre Stage for the Floral Thursday finale, clutching tickets for the hotly-anticipated Greenfingers raffle and to take part in a world record attempt for the greatest number of people wearing florals in a single photograph. The joyful moment captured the spirit of the industry and helped push the day’s fundraising total to £3,313.

Original artwork and product donations boost total

Another highlight came from the Woodmansterne stand, where watercolour artist Kate Leach painted an original piece of artwork live at the show. The finished piece was offered as a raffle prize to anyone donating to the Greenfingers Charity, raising £657 and drawing strong interest from visitors throughout the event.

At the close of Glee, exhibitors once again showed their support for Greenfingers by donating products from their stands. These items were auctioned by W&H Peacocks after the show closed, raising £1,942 and providing a welcome boost to the final total.

New Collaboration launched

During the show, Ivyline unveiled another way for retailers to support Greenfingers with the debut of a specially designed collection – Pots with Purpose – created in partnership with the charity.

The brand-new range of cacti pots drew strong interest from buyers looking for meaningful, gift‑ready products with a charitable purpose. With 50p from every set sold donated directly to Greenfingers Charity, retailers now have a simple and commercially attractive way to help raise future funds for hospice gardens, while offering customers a stylish new addition to their indoor plant ranges.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s fundraising such a success.

“From the amazing support shown on Floral Thursday to the generosity of exhibitors donating products and the beautiful artwork created by Kate Leach, the industry has once again come together in the most wonderful way.

“It was also lovely to see Ivyline launch its Pots with Purpose collection at the show, giving retailers a new way to support the Greenfingers Charity in the coming year.

“Every pound raised helps us to create and maintain more therapeutic gardens that allow children, families and hospice staff to spend meaningful time in surroundings that feel calm, natural and far removed from the clinical environment.

“These spaces support play, reflection and respite and we cannot thank the garden retail community enough for their kindness, enthusiasm and continued support.”

To find out more about the Greenfingers Charity and its work creating gardens for children’s hospices across the UK, visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

You can also follow Greenfingers Charity on Instagram and LinkedIn (@GreenfingersCharity) for the latest news, fundraising events and inspiring stories.

STV stars get challenge-ready as Specsavers donates £15,000 to Children’s Appeal

Specsavers is donating £15,000 to the STV Children’s Appeal as it gets behind this year’s STV Children’s Appeal Challenge at the Kelpies.

As part of its sponsorship of the challenge, Specsavers is supporting the Appeal’s work with children and young people across Scotland, while also highlighting the importance of regular eye health checks.

STV presenters Laura Boyd and Sean Batty are preparing to take on this year’s challenge by making sure their eye health is in top form. The pair recently visited Specsavers Grangemouth for comprehensive eye tests and to speak to the store’s eye health experts about the importance of looking after their vision.

The duo will take on a team challenge at the Kelpies today (8 October 2026) to raise vital funds for the STV Children’s Appeal – although exactly what they will be up against is still under wraps.

With Laura and Sean preparing to put their skills to the test at one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks, getting them challenge-ready was high on the agenda.

This year marks the first time Specsavers has sponsored the STV Children’s Appeal Challenge, with the £15,000 contribution supporting the Appeal and its work with children and young people affected by poverty across Scotland. Specsavers is also using its involvement to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye health checks.

Specsavers dispensing optician and Grangemouth store manager Joe Smith welcomed Laura and Sean to the locally owned and run store at La Porte Precinct.

More than 20 Specsavers colleagues from across the business, including Joe, will also take part in the Kelpies challenge on 8 October.

Laura Baird, Specsavers Scotland Chair, says: “It is a privilege to support this year’s STV Children’s Appeal Challenge. It’s such an invaluable cause, which raises funds for children and young people living in poverty across Scotland.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Appeal with a £15,000 contribution as part of our sponsorship of this year’s challenge. With Specsavers stores and colleagues across Scotland, supporting a cause that makes a difference to children and young people in communities right across the country is incredibly important to us.

“We’re also pleased to be highlighting the importance of regular eye tests and giving Laura and Sean the opportunity to make sure their eyes are challenge-ready!”

Laura Boyd, TV presenter and entertainment reporter, says: “Every year, the STV Children’s Appeal Challenge is something I look forward to, and this year it’s been very much kept under wraps.

“We know it’s taking place at the Kelpies, but we’re not sure what this involves – no doubt there will be some nerves but plenty of excitement on the day.

“There’s also a bit of friendly competition between Sean and me, which will add another fun element to the day, and I’m sure our teams will quickly get into the spirit of it. Ultimately, though, the most important thing is raising awareness and much-needed funds for the fantastic STV Appeal.”

Sean Batty, TV presenter and meteorologist, adds: “This is the fifth challenge that Laura and I will be doing together, and I have a feeling it’s going to be very special. We’re looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us.

“It’s also great to have Specsavers on board this year as our official sponsor, and it was fantastic to visit Joe and his team at Grangemouth to make sure our sight was in perfect shape ahead of the challenge.

“Knowing that Specsavers is also supporting the Appeal with a £15,000 contribution makes it even more special, and we can’t wait to get involved in the challenge at the Kelpies.”

The STV Children’s Appeal has raised more than £39 million since it launched in 2011. In 2025, the Appeal raised more than £2.4 million, taking its total raised since launch to more than £39 million.

This year’s challenge will be unveiled on the show on Thursday 29 October and will reveal the fundraising total.

For more information, visit https://stvappeal.tv/https://www.specsavers.co.uk/

The Centre’s 50th anniversary celebrations culminate with new car giveaway to raise funds for CHAS

The Centre, Livingston has teamed up with its charity partner, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, CHAS, to give one lucky shopper the chance to win a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 HEV Summit in time for Christmas – marking the culmination of its 50^th anniversary celebrations this year.

For the last four years the shopping centre has raised almost £20k for the charity, which provides the country’s only hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.

Generous shoppers have been digging deep at everything from Elf Walks and fashion events to a film night and seasonal kids’ workshops.

To help raise even more awareness of the incredible work the charity does and raise vital funds, one lucky shopper will get the chance to win a brand-new car, which is located next to New Look – and just in time for Christmas!

Entry into the competition to win the car, which has been supplied by Western Chery, is £1, with all proceeds going to CHAS. The prize also includes 12 months road tax.

Entries close on the 10^th December, with the winner being announced on the 11^th December. Please see all Terms & Conditions at www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Gary Anderson, Operations Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to be supporting CHAS this year, which is also a very special milestone for us as we mark the 50^th anniversary of the shopping centre – and what better way to culminate our celebrations than to give away a car in time for Christmas.

“All proceeds raised in the competition will allow the charity to continue to provide specialist care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.”

Zhenya Dove, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “The team at The Centre, Livingston and their wonderful shoppers have shown CHAS so much kindness over the years, and we’re incredibly grateful to be part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

“This generous giveaway will help us be there for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, providing specialist care, comfort and opportunities to make precious memories together.

“Thank you to everyone making it possible and everyone who takes part. You’ll be helping families across Scotland when they need it most, with the chance of a very special Christmas surprise of your own!”

House of Hope working with Scottish Rugby for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Having opened its doors in 2025 as Scotland’s first permanent, community-based support and wellbeing centre for those impacted by breast cancer, The House of Hope recently welcomed a number of Scotland Women players to learn about the nuances of what they do.

As well as delivering a breast cancer awareness clinic to the squad at Oriam, the charity played host to players Chloe Rollie, Evie Wills, Elliann Clarke and Alex Stewart to offer a peek behind the scenes at their Edinburgh headquarters.

As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, House of Hope want to make it clear to women of all ages that checking your breasts for anything unusual is to be championed, in order that issues can be addressed at the earliest opportunity.

Breast cancer will affect 1 in 7 women in Scotland in their lifetime and by supporting the clinical work that exists, through emotional, practical and social support, House of Hope’s mission is to ensure that care is offered to anyone who might need it as they navigate their way through a breast cancer diagnosis.

Rosie Small, Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist at The House of Hope said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to run a breast health awareness session with Scottish Rugby, as part of our Hope in Your Hands campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and encourage people to ‘check your breasts’.

“Many young women lack confidence, or actually avoid examining their breasts, due to fear of what they might find, so it was good to chat with the team and talk about benign breast conditions as well as breast cancer and answer their questions around breast health.

“I hope it has given them the confidence to regularly examine themselves and empower them to seek medical advice if they notice any changes in their breasts.”

The House of Hope provides wellbeing classes, workshops, support groups, drop-in sessions and holistic therapies such as oncology massage and aromatherapy. It offers a safe haven for those impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis with a relaxing living room, bustling kitchen, bespoke yoga and pilates studio, hair and wig salon, counselling room, kids zone and bra fitting/styling lounge.

Scotland Women centre Evie Wills said: “It is just astounding. When we got a tour, there were rooms upon rooms and they’ve just thought of everything; you can really see why so many people come here.

“As athletes, we think we know our bodies well, but with these workshops we are checking things we’ve probably never checked before. We know what a tweaked hamstring looks like but we don’t necessarily know what a mass looks like in our breast, or any changes in our breasts.

“I just think everyone should support everyone, no matter what they’re going through.”

Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie added: “Being aware of the House of Hope charity is really important. It gives us a chance to use it if we ever have to, or if we know someone who is going through a life-changing experience like this, that we can point them in the right direction to find the support they need.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout October and if you would like to hear more about the work that House of Hope does, or wish to speak to them at any point, you can do so here.