Tag: charity support

Dalkeith Little Ruggers kicks off season with backing from Stewart Milne Homes

Leading housebuilder continues to build on support for Midlothian community

More than 40 budding rugby players turned out in force for Dalkeith Rugby Club’s Little Ruggers training session this month as the 2022/23 season got underway.

The popular sports club for two-to-five-year-olds holds two classes every Sunday morning at King’s Park in Dalkeith, inspiring youngsters to get into the sport early on by encouraging them to build their confidence, agility and basic rugby ability in a fun and energetic environment. 

After being the main sponsor of the Dalkeith Minis Rugby Festival earlier this year, Stewart Milne Homes has further underlined its commitment to the community and is now the proud sponsor of the Dalkeith Little Ruggers group for the 2022/23 season.

The leading housebuilder has provided the aspiring players with Little Ruggers t-shirts to wear for their class each week and mini rugby balls to play with at home.

Funding of £2,200 from Stewart Milne Homes has also been welcomed by the club to help continue to grow the Little Ruggers classes, encouraging healthy lifestyles and forming a welcoming community in the Midlothian town.

Tony Williamson, Sales & Marketing Director for Stewart Milne Homes Scotland, said: “After sponsoring the Dalkeith Minis Rugby Festival in May this year, we were thrilled to see the positive impact that the sport has on the local community. That’s why we wanted to extend our support for the club, and the Little Ruggers group is a fantastic initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles from an early age.

“Supporting communities is in the fabric of our ethos, and we’re consistently working with local residents, organisations and schools that share our people-first values. We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with Dalkeith Rugby Club and wish the Little Ruggers – and potential future rugby stars – good luck in their new season.”

Susan McGhee, Head Coach of Dalkeith Rugby Club’s Little Ruggers, said: “Our Little Ruggers group is a popular fixture in the Dalkeith community, both for the introduction to rugby it offers to youngsters and the social aspect enjoyed by families.

“We all share a passion for rugby but equally ensuring that there is a positive community spirit amongst players and families, which we know Stewart Milne Homes also champions.

“The support from Stewart Milne Homes is a welcomed gesture, both by the Club and families, and we’re pleased to continue to build on our relationship with their team.”

Stewart Milne Homes is currently creating a number of new developments across Central Scotland, including Shawfair in Midlothian, which will feature 115 new homes as well as communal green space and excellent active travel links to the wider community.

The luxurious three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom homes on offer are from the housebuilder’s new ‘Villages’ range which has been expertly designed for modern-day lifestyles, creating the very best of contemporary and considered living for the whole family.

For further information, visit www.stewartmilnehomes.com

Three good cause groups win share of £25,000 Scotmid funding

Three good causes across the East of Scotland have been awarded a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect awards scheme. The awards were decided by a vote of Scotmid Members.

LoveOliver secured £15,000 in funding, with Edinburgh City Mission and The School Bank West Lothian both receiving a £5,000 award. The charities were shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support helping them to continue carrying out vital work within the communities that they operate.

Each organisation delivers a range of different services, aimed at supporting and enhancing the lives of others.

  • LoveOliver is a charity dedicated to childhood cancer research and provides practical support for families affected by the disease. The funding awarded by Scotmid will be used to hire a staff member for its drop-in café, which provides aid and support for families at a local and accessible level.
  • Edinburgh City Mission is a charitable organisation involved in a number of projects that support the most vulnerable in the Edinburgh community. The charity works to aid several foodbanks, a clothes bank and a family-focused weekend club aimed at supporting asylum seekers. The funding granted by Scotmid will be used to help support these projects and the people who benefit the most from them.
  • The School Bank West Lothian was established in 2015 and is dedicated to delivering school uniforms and other school essentials to families experiencing financial hardship. The funding provided by Scotmid will assist The School Bank West Lothian in ensuring every school child is prepared for their studies this winter.

Jennifer Gill, Charity Founder and Co-ordinator at LoveOliver, said: “We are delighted to receive £15,000 from Scotmid and want to thank everyone involved in making this happen.  Our drop-in cafe at The Howat Hub has been running two days each week by our volunteers since opening in February this year.

“This funding will be used to employ a member of staff to allow the cafe to double its opening hours and be more available to families. We’re extremely grateful for this opportunity to extend our team, and to continue our work funding childhood cancer research and providing practical support to families affected by it.”

Catriona Thomas, Fundraising Manager for Edinburgh City Mission, (above) said: “Edinburgh City Mission aims to support as many vulnerable people in the city as possible, so we’re thrilled to be granted with this crucial funding from Scotmid.

“The funding will go towards hosting Soul Food, a weekly sit-down meal service for those most in need, helping us to meet our goal of ensuring that everyone in the local community has access to food.”

Abbie Stephenson, Project Worker with The School Bank West Lothian, said: “The School Bank West Lothian is thrilled to receive £5,000. Vulnerable children shouldn’t be without the basic necessities for school, so our mission is to help provide school children with the clothing and equipment they need to succeed. We look forward to helping reach more children in need.”  

Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, almost £600,000 has been awarded to 66 good cause groups across the north of England and Scotland, enabling key projects to continue operating in their local areas.

Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the core ways in which we are able to support the communities we serve.

“We’re proud to support local charities and good cause groups and provide dedicated funding to support their goals. As we enter the winter months, it is important to look after one another – we’re grateful for our chosen three charities and good causes’ continued efforts to provide a lifeline to those in need within local communities.”

Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer in September

The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline made a £3,000 donation to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and a £1,000 donation to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

Now in its sixth year, Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer raises funds and awareness for organisations working to increase survival rates for those with childhood cancer through life-saving treatments and research.

A gold ribbon is the universal symbol for childhood cancer, so this year, Amazon employees from Dunfermline held a month-long series of gold-themed events in recognition of the international emblem. 

The team also showed solidarity to children with cancer by donating £3,000 to Kinross-based charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland and £1,000 to Edinburgh-based charity Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.

One of the events this year at Amazon in Dunfermline was a Pyjama Day, which saw the fulfilment centre team join with colleagues across the UK to wear pyjamas to work in honour of children who spend every day in their pyjamas during treatment. 

Amazon Dunfermline General Manager, Jamie Strain, said: “We are proud to support CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity in honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this year’s Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign.

“We look forward to doing our bit for children with cancer every year, and hope that this donation offers encouragement to the charity’s brilliant team and the families it supports.”

One of the Amazon employees who took part in Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer is Aoife Considine. She added: “It was great to take part in Amazon in Dunfermline’s Pyjama Day and help spread awareness of the realities of childhood cancer. I’m so pleased that we could offer support to such an excellent charity.”

This year, Amazon employees in the UK also had the opportunity to support children and families affected by childhood cancer by volunteering with childhood cancer charities and organisations, or by putting together activity packs for children facing cancer, which were distributed to nearby hospitals and hospices.

Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer takes place annually as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Amazon staff step out in support of Edinburgh Women’s Aid

A group of employees from the Dunfermline Amazon fulfilment centre and the Bathgate Amazon delivery station and sortation centre recently set out to walk from Bathgate to Dunfermline to raise money for Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

The employees set off on their 22-mile excursion from the Amazon delivery station in Bathgate and finished the walk at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline. The colleagues joined forces with the team from Amazon’s delivery station and sortation centre in Bathgate with the aim of raising £1,000 for Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid is a non-profit organisation that offers practical and emotional support to women and young people. Its aim is to provide a safe environment for those in need of protection from abuse.

The team completed the walk in 8 hours and donated a total of £1,740 to Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

The donation from Amazon will be used to purchase safety devices, food vouchers, clothes and other necessities for those using the charity’s services.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We are proud of the men and women from Amazon in Dunfermline and Bathgate who took part in the fundraising walk for Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

“It was great to see their enthusiasm for a good cause and we are grateful to have them on our team.”

Clare Cornbleet, Senior Delivery Station Manager at Amazon in Bathgate, added: “The sponsored walk for Edinburgh Women’s Aid was a fantastic achievement.

“We want to thank everyone who took part in raising money for the charity at both the Amazon delivery station in Bathgate and at the fulfilment centre in Dunfermline – they’ve helped raise money for a great organisation.”

Olivia Angus, an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in the charity walk, said: “From everyone who took part in the walk, we want to say thank you for the support from our team at Amazon in Dunfermline and our colleagues in Bathgate.

“It was great to see the team cheering us on at the finish line. Although the weather was not on our side throughout the walk, we had a great time, and it was worth it to be able to provide a donation for such a worthy cause.”

Linda Rodgers, Edinburgh Women’s Aid’s CEO, said: “The team at Edinburgh Women’s Aid would like to say a big thank you to the teams at Amazon in Dunfermline and Bathgate for taking the time to raise money for our charity.

“Well done to everyone involved; your colleagues should be so proud of your achievements.”

The donation to Edinburgh Women’s Aid was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

School pupils support local charities through Youth Philantrophy Initiative

Young people secure £756,000 for Scotland’s charities

Aberdeen , Scotland, Thursday, 16 June 2022 YPI Annual Event 2022 Picture by Michal Wachucik/Abermedia

More than 35,000 young people have been empowered to be advocates for their communities, securing more than three quarters of a million pounds for charities the length and breadth of the country.

The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), which took place in more than 250 secondary schools, saw young people research and represent causes including mental health, poverty, abuse, and support for those with health and disability conditions.

YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. The active citizenship programme engages a full year-group at each school who learn about the needs of their communities and the work of local charities. The students work in teams to do in-depth research and develop a creative and convincing presentation in a bid to secure their school’s YPI grant of £3000.

Presentations at schools’ YPI Final Showcases this year have included a poignant poem about the impact of dementia and losing a loved one; a song about seeking support for mental health; a cartoon animation depicting poverty; and an acting performance focusing on domestic abuse.

Each of the successful teams brought to life their social issue, the difference the charity makes, and the business case for the impact of the £3000 grant locally.

In Edinburgh, each of the following schools secured £3000 for the charities listed by their names:

Scran AcademyBalerno Community High School
Edinburgh Women’s AidBoroughmuir High School
Kids in the StreetCastlebrae High School
Vintage VibesCraigmount High School
Muirhouse Youth Development GroupCraigroyston Community High School
Give Blood 4 GoodCurrie Community High School
About YouthFettes College
Edinburgh Rape Crisis CentreFirhill High School
Edinburgh Children’s HospitalForrester High School
Thistle FoundationGeorge Watson’s College
Edinburgh Children’s HospitalGracemount High School
Edinburgh Young CarersHoly Rood RC High School
SaheliyaJames Gillespie’s High School
North Edinburgh Dementia CareLeith Academy
Tailor Ed FoundationLiberton High School
Edinburgh Young CarersMerchiston Castle School
Shakti Women’s AidSt Augustine’s RC High School
Therapet (Caninie Concern Scotland Trust)St George’s School 
Granton Baptist ChurchThe Edinburgh Academy
Held in Our HeartsThe Mary Erskine School
Forget Me Not GardenThe Royal High School
CircleTrinity Academy

Ali MacLachlan, UK Director at The Wood Foundation, said: “We need to give young people the space, time, and opportunities to have their voices heard now, with the resources to act upon what they believe and realise their potential and responsibilities as active citizens.

“YPI is vitally important for young people in terms of their understanding of the world and their role in it, as well as developing their skills. It is also incredibly supportive of schools’ culture, drivers, and curriculum.

“Charities tell us that engaging a new generation of advocates and volunteers, raising awareness of what they do and promoting conversations, is as important as the opportunity to secure funds. Teachers tell us it is improving vital skills for learning, life, and work and making their young people more aware of their communities.

“Most importantly, young people tell us that YPI is giving them opportunities to better understand their communities and feel empowered to be part of change.

“The Wood Foundation is proud to partner with schools in delivering this vital opportunity for our young people and communities.”

Since it was launched in Scotland in 2008, 270,000 young people have taken part in YPI with £6m reaching local charities.

The Wood Foundation, the venture philanthropic organisation established by Sir Ian Wood and his family, is the operational manager and principal funder of YPI in Scotland. The programme is also supported by a range of like-minded funding partners.

Tesco Bank supports local communities with new charity partnerships

Tesco Bank has announced two new major charity partnerships with The Trussell Trust and cancer support charity, Maggie’s.

The charities were voted for by Tesco Bank colleagues who were keen to focus their latest charity partnerships on supporting local communities as well as health and social causes. Colleagues are now looking forward to raising much-needed funds and volunteering across the UK for their chosen charities.

This latest announcement comes after Tesco Bank colleagues raised £245,000 for The People’s Kitchen, The Beatson, and LifeCare Edinburgh following a successful partnership with the charities.   

Funds raised by Tesco Bank will help Maggie’s to continue providing free support online and in centres to people with cancer as well as their family and friends across the UK, and the Trussell Trust provide emergency food and support to people living in poverty.

Lynne Rennie-Smith, Director of Colleague Experience at Tesco Bank,said; “It’s important to recognise the life-saving work of charities such as The Trussell Trust and Maggie’s. Tesco Bank has a proud record of supporting the communities in which we operate, and I’m delighted these charities will benefit from our colleagues’ passion for fundraising for worthy causes.

“Thanks to these important partnerships, our colleagues are inspired to continue making a tangible difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable within our communities.” 

Sophie Carre, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Trussell Trust, said; “We are hugely grateful to Tesco Bank for choosing the Trussell Trust as one of their new charity partners. This partnership will help to support thousands of people facing financial hardship across the UK as we work to achieve our vision to end the need for emergency food in the UK.

“As the nation faces a rapid rise in the cost of living, too many families on the very lowest incomes are being forced to the doors of food banks to get by. No one should be unable to afford the essentials – and while we work to tackle the reasons why people don’t have enough money in their pockets, we hugely value the support of partnerships like this to ensure food banks are able to support people who are facing hunger right now.”

Sharon O’Loan, Fundraising Director at Maggie’s, said; “We are delighted that Tesco Bank has chosen Maggie’s as one of their new charity partners.  Maggie’s support has never been more needed, as the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer treatment continues to be felt and the cost of living crisis becomes overwhelming for many people with cancer.

“The funds raised through this partnership will help us provide free support and information on everything from treatment options, psychological advice and benefits advice to thousands of people with cancer and their families across the UK.  

“We’re excited about our new partnership with Tesco Bank and everything we’ll achieve together.” 

As well as supporting Maggie’s and the Trussell Trust Tesco Bank is proud to utilise its ATM network to support a number of national causes including the NSPCC, The British Heart Foundation and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Tesco Bank has offered customers the opportunity to make charitable donations of up to £300 through its network since 2012 and has since raised over £750,000 for good causes.

Yotel Edinburgh pledges charity support with Pride!

YOTEL Edinburgh is pledging its support for Pride month by investing in updated LGBTQ+ awareness training on allyship and history for staff, as well as donating 100% of proceeds from a charity cocktail and mocktail to LGBTQ+ helpline charity Switchboard. 

Switchboard provides support through phone, email and instant messaging for people who may feel isolated in their community, have an issue or question they want to discuss or are simply looking to talk to someone who shares their experience.

The UK’s national LGBTQ+ helpline has provided support to millions of people since its inception, promising that all calls are confidential and no topic is off limits. The helpline operates 10am-10pm daily, and can be reached by dialling 0300 330 0630 – find out more at www.switchboard.lgbt . 

YOTEL Edinburgh’s stylish bar and restaurant Komyuniti will roll out the ‘YOTEL Pride’ cocktail and mocktail for the month of June , as well as YOTEL Crew across the UK taking part in updated LGBTQ+ awareness training.

Priced at £6 and available until 30 June,  100% of proceeds from the cocktail and mocktail will directly benefit Switchboard. Switchboard answers on average 18,000 calls a year, with each call costing the charity around £17 for wrap-around support which means they can be there for each and every caller. 

Pledging support for Pride, YOTEL has invested in LGBTQ+ training sessions for YOTEL Crew across the UK, led by Polly Shute, Co-Founder of ‘Out and About’ and former board member of Pride in London.

With training sessions specifically tailored to hospitality staff, Polly’s sessions for YOTEL include open discussions on how to be an ally, LGBTQ+ history and challenges in the workplace. 

Guests in YOTEL Edinburgh can also directly donate to Switchboard via digital ‘Tip Jar’ QR codes located in the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant Komyuniti for Pride month. So guests can donate an amount of their own choosing to the charity, even if not purchasing a cocktail or mocktail! 

Stephanie Fuller, General Manager at Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline said, “We are delighted to be supported by YOTEL as part of its Pride campaign in 2022. Switchboard is the national LGBTQ+ helpline in the UK, and the visibility of our helpline that this partnership will bring across the UK is vital.

“Each year our dedicated team of listening volunteers hold over 18,000 conversations with people in need of support with conversations ranging from, but not limited to coming out, sexuality, gender identity, isolation, and mental health.

“Each call costs us around £17.00 for all the wrap-around support which means we can be there for a caller. The support and visibility this partnership will provide cannot be understated, ultimately it will mean our confidential non-judgemental service will continue to be there 10 am -10 pm, 365 days a year  by phone, instant messaging and email to support people from the LGBTQ+ communities that need someone to listen.”

Polly Shute, Co-Founder of Out and About Festival, organiser of Southbank Surfing and YOTEL consultant said: “It’s great to see a brand as big as YOTEL pledge its support for the LGBTQ+ community with proceeds from the sale of the Pride cocktails this month.

“Through my work, I’m keenly aware of the discrimination and injustices our community continue to face, some of which do occur in the hospitality industry.  It’s essential we educate people on how to be an ally, and I’ve enjoyed starting conversations with YOTEL about how brands can better interact with LGBTQ+ patrons and staff.”

Olivia Donnan, Vice President Brand & Communications at YOTEL HQ said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Switchboard and Polly Shute to celebrate and support Pride in our communities across the UK. At YOTEL, we strive to be an inclusive space for every guest, visitor and Crew member and are pleased to continue our ongoing work supporting the community through donations and training this June.”

James Stocker, Brand Manager for Whitley Neill said, “We’re delighted to support YOTEL during Pride month and hope guests across the UK enjoy this special cocktail. As Pride celebrates 50 years in the UK, we’re glad to be able to support the community in some small way.” 

For further information on Switchboard visit www.switchboard.lgbt, follow the charity on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or call 0300 330 0630. 

Edinburgh Pets At Home store celebrates £300,000 pledge to Scottish Dementia Dog Charity

Visitors to the Pets at Home store at Fort Kinnaird last weekend joined the pet care specialist in celebrating its £300,000 pledge to Edinburgh-based Dementia Dog, an innovative project by Dogs for Good and Alzheimer Scotland that supports families across Scotland living with dementia, both at home and in the community.

The grant has been made through the Pets at Home Foundation, the charity founded by the Pets at Home Group – which includes Pets at Home, Vets4Pets and The Groom Room – as part of its mission to create a better world for pets and the people who love them.

The funds will be used to support the charity’s expansion across mainland Scotland, which includes training more full-time assistance dogs, providing animal assisted therapy, delivering training workshops and hosting events.

Over the weekend, visitors to the Fort Kinnaird store in Edinburgh, and others across Scotland, had the chance to speak to ambassadors from Dogs for Good about their work, enjoy cupcakes (or pupcakes) and more.

Amy Angus, Group Charity and Community Manager at the Pets at Home Foundation, said: “For families affected by dementia, a dog can provide great comfort and support through a very challenging time.

“We’re incredibly proud to be able to help such a fantastic initiative across Scotland, and it was great to celebrate with our colleagues and customers in our stores and veterinary practices over the weekend.

“It’s thanks to their great work and generous donations that we’re able to support so many important projects like Dementia Dog.”

Peter Gorbing, CEO of Dogs for Good, added: “For many people, their pets are not only their best friend, but can also be a real lifeline, helping to maintain a routine, retrieve medication and regulate sleeping patterns.

“We’re passionate about bringing people and dogs together and this funding will go a long way in helping us to support more families living with dementia.

“We’d like to send a big thank you to the Pets at Home Group and all the generous people who contributed to this pledge, which will mean so much to families across Scotland.”

The Dementia Dog project is one of hundreds of causes that the Pets at Home Foundation has supported, with more than £5 million donated to more than 750 organisations in the year to March 2022.

To find out more about the Pets at Home Foundation and the charities it supports, visit: https://www.petsathomefoundation.co.uk/

Sizzling Pubs team up with Make-A-Wish UK to make dreams come true

Sizzling pubs, including The Robin’s Nest in Edinburgh, are teaming up with Make-A-Wish UK to help make dreams come true for seriously ill children across the UK. 

As part of the ‘Sizzling Community Change’ campaign, the pub chain has set themselves the goal of collectively raising one million pennies for their charity partner Make-A-Wish UK, and other local community good causes, through a series of fundraising activities.

With over 243 pubs across the UK, Sizzling prides themselves on their sense of community spirit – and this partnership with Make-A-Wish UK will help make a real difference to the lives of children in the local communities that their pubs are at the heart of.

Currently, around 63,000 children across the UK are eligible for a wish because they have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. And Make-A-Wish UK aims to create hope, happiness and memories for the whole family to cherish by empowering children with the chance to choose a wish that’s unique to them.

The pub chain’s fundraising activity is set to kick off with the introduction of Sizzling’s ‘Light Nights’ menu, which will feature a charity dessert. The special Eton Mess Sundae will help raise money for Make-A-Wish UK, with 25p from each pudding being donated to the charity.

Tom Redwood, Operations Director at Sizzling Pubs, said: “Supporting local charities is part of what gives us our Sizzling spirit, and we hope this new partnership will help make a big difference to the lives of children and their families across the UK.

“We’re so proud to be supporting Make-A-Wish UK as part of our Sizzling Community Change campaign, and our charity dessert is just the beginning when it comes to the exciting fundraising activities we have planned for this year.”

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive at Make-A-Wish UK, said: “The power of a wish can revive a childhood stolen by critical illness. We are very grateful for the generous support of Sizzling Pubs, which will help Make-A-Wish UK be a light in the darkness for more children and their loves ones, granting wishes that leave a profound and lasting impact on all their lives.”

Discover which seriously ill children need help in your area and help make a wish come true using the Make-A-Wish UK ‘Wish Map’:

https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wishes/wish-map/

Doddie Weir Foundation donates £150k to MND charities

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, founded by rugby legend Doddie Weir, has donated £50,000 to charity MND Scotland and £100,000 to the MND Association, to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND). 

Doddie, who first shared his MND diagnosis in June 2017, has pledged to help others with the rapidly progressing terminal illness, as well as funding for research into finding a cure. 

Since 2018, the Foundation has committed annual funding to MND Scotland and the MND Association, to help the charities provide vital support to people who are currently affected by MND. 

This new cash boost takes the Foundation’s total donations to MND Scotland and the MND Association to £430,000 and £770,000, respectively. The funds will be used by both organisations to help ease some the financial burden that comes with a diagnosis of MND, through their grant programmes. 

These programmes aim to help reduce some of the extra costs that come with living with MND. The grants can be used in various ways, for instance; to help with costs towards home adaptations, such as ramps and stairlifts, for specialist equipment to live life more independently, and for respite activities for carers and families. 

Jill Douglas, CEO of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We recognise the challenges faced by people who are given this terrible diagnosis and the impact it has on them and their families.

“We speak to people every day who need support and we are committed to doing all we can to help. We are delighted to work with the two MND charities, MND Association and MND Scotland who have the experience and expertise to make sure our grants reach the people who need them most.” 

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “A diagnosis of MND can put an enormous financial strain on people living with the disease, and our grants programme can be life-changing for those affected in Scotland. 

“We thank the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation for this very generous donation and for the Foundation’s continued support over the years.

“These funds help MND Scotland provide essential financial support when people need it the most, and by continuing to work together we can make life a little easier for people living with MND right now.” 

Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said: “MND will only be defeated through collaboration and partnership, and so we are delighted our care grants partnership with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation will be entering its fifth year.

“While we are working hard to find a cure for this devastating disease, it is vital we can provide tangible support right now to those living with and affected by MND.

“Our comprehensive grant programme is there to help people living with MND and their families in a number of ways, which can make a real difference when they are desperately in need of support.

“We are incredibly grateful to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and know that this generous donation will help so many people in the MND community.” 

For more information visit www.mndscotland.org.uk.