Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s leading sports and leisure provider is calling on anyone looking for a new challenge to don their tartan and join them to take part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for their award-winning Ageing Well project.
An Edinburgh Leisure and NHS Lothian initiative, Ageing Well keeps hundreds of older adults in Edinburgh more connected and physically active, by offering low-cost city-wide activities that encourage active living and socialisation all the while boosting their health and wellbeing.
Jenny Selman, Funding Manager for Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Part of our Active Communities programme, Ageing Well is led or supported by trained older adult volunteers and our participants and volunteers really benefit both mentally and physically from taking part.
“It caters for a diverse range of interests and abilities, with activities including walking groups, cycling, gardening at our allotment and buddy swimming.
“Unfortunately, the programme is facing a funding shortfall of £17k, so we’re encouraging people to sign up to the Kiltwalk to raise some much-needed funds for Ageing Well and hopefully, get active, and stay active because of taking part.
“We hope that the funds raised by our supporters, coupled with generous donations we receive throughout the year, will enable us to continue with this valued programme. Every pound raised really will make a difference.”
All those signing up to the Kiltwalk to raise funds for Edinburgh Leisure will receive a 50% discount on the registration fee and also an Edinburgh Leisure T-shirt and a tartan-themed snood.
The Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday, 15th September 2024. Three walk lengths are available:
The Mighty Stride (approx. 21 miles) – £20£10 registration fee
The Big Stroll (approx. 11 miles) – £20£10 registration fee
The Wee Wander (approx. 5 miles) – £12.50£6.25 for adults, £6.50£3.25 for children
Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme supports 12,500 people who face the greatest barriers to getting active annually – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty.
Your participation in the Kiltwalk will raise crucial funds to promote health, happiness, and connectedness among older adults in Edinburgh whilst contributing to a fantastic and enjoyable event.
To find out more about signing up with Edinburgh Leisure to walk the Kiltwalk, and to get your 50% discount,click here.
SGN is leading a new £2.5 million partnership with Kidney Care UK which will see them work with the UK’s gas distribution networks (GDNs)1 to offer specialist support to help nearly 18,000 people living with kidney failure across the UK – 1,250 of those in Scotland.
Currently in Scotland there are 1,250 people with advanced kidney disease who rely on dialysis to stay alive. The majority of these patients have a routine which consists of three to four sessions of dialysis a week, each taking up to 6 hours or more in hospital.
On top of this they have to manage the associated stress and time pressures of travel to and from treatment. Due to the time constraints and health impacts associated with treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), only 26% of people on dialysis are in full time employment2. The consequent low income means many people with kidney failure live in relative poverty, compounded by the misery of increasing costs of living.
The unique and transformational partnership, uniting statutory, charitable and corporate sectors, will support vulnerable customers most in need, providing people living with CKD, with vital support to help tackle fuel poverty.
The initial two-year project will provide a holistic suite of services, including face-to-face support, where customers will get assistance with benefit entitlement, welfare support and specialist money and energy advice.
The service will maximise outcomes, in terms of financial support, whilst also promoting energy and carbon monoxide awareness.
The expansion of Kidney Care UK’s patient support services will mean that people on dialysis will have access to a dedicated, personal, face-to-face support service.
This will serve the 1,250 kidney patients on dialysis treatment in the 26 units across Scotland, as well as supporting people in the North East, North West, the South West and South East of England. Delivered by trained and trusted Patient Support & Advocacy Officers, the service will enable patients to access all the benefits and welfare support they are entitled to.
Laurie Cuthbert, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at Kidney Care UK, said: “We are pleased to be working with SGN as part of a transformational partnership with the Gas Distribution Networks across the UK to support nearly 18,000 vulnerable kidney patients in need of immediate support; 1,250 of these in Scotland.
“Philanthropic investment from our partners is enabling Kidney Care UK to increase its direct, on the ground support to thousands of dialysis patients, delivering tangible welfare and wellbeing benefits at a time when it is more important than ever”.
Linda Spence, Vulnerability Manager at SGN, said: “We’re committed to keeping our communities safe and warm and we know people with health conditions are uniquely impacted by higher than average energy costs.
“By working in a joined-up way with Kidney Care UK, we’re able to reach those who are really struggling and provide much needed energy advice. Through building strong connections we can help vulnerable households get much needed help.”
An Edinburgh-based coffee and tea company has created a unique blend of coffee to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
The team at Marchmont’s Red Box Coffee will donate £1 from every kg sold of their new ECHO coffee line to CHAS.
The specially created coffee is made up of beans from Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia and has tasting notes of peanuts, caramel and chocolate. The ECHO design has been created in collaboration with CHAS using the charity’s alphabet letter branding and is available to buy in store at Red Box Marchmont (Edinburgh) or online here: https://www.redboxcoffee.com/.
The coffee has already brewed up some local support from Edinburgh law firm Turcan Connell which has signed up as the line’s first wholesale customer.
Chris Dunstan, Head of Wholesale at Red Box Coffee said: “At Red Box we believe in the power of a good cuppa to uplift and connect. That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with CHAS, a charity that brings care and joy to children with life-shortening conditions and their families.
“With every purchase from our ECHO line, we’ll donate £1 per kg directly to CHAS. This contribution will help the charity continue its incredible work, filling the lives of the children and families it supports with laughter, love and joy.
“I recently personally visited Rachel House, one of CHAS’s hospices in Kinross, which is near my own home, and was truly inspired. The staff create a haven of bright colours and joyful moments, even during challenging times. It’s a place where families can find comfort, connection, and extraordinary care.”
CHAS Senior Community Fundraiser, Sarah Dannfald said: “We are so grateful to Chris and the team at Red Box Coffee for choosing to support CHAS in such a unique way and we can’t wait to taste the ECHO coffee and continue this exciting partnership.
“Every penny donated via this coffee will go towards helping the many children with life-shortening conditions we support and their families right across Scotland.”
To find out more about the charity partnership and to buy the ECHO coffee please visit https://www.redboxcoffee.com/
The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that Cancer Card, a Scottish charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cancer, has been awarded a grant of £2,500 to support their Comfort Box scheme.
The initiative aims to ensure that every cancer patient, regardless of their financial circumstances, has access to essential items that can improve their quality of life during treatment.
Cancer Card was founded in 2021 by stage four cancer patient Jen Hardy MBE and offers a comprehensive online directory of local and national cancer support services, making it a crucial resource for those navigating the complexities of cancer care in Scotland.
The Comfort Box initiative, inspired by Scotland’s Baby Box, delivers packages containing items such as digital in-ear thermometers, wool blankets, and travel mugs to help cancer patients manage their treatment and stay comfortable.
Conveying her thanks to the Trust for the donation, Jen Hardy said: “The generous grant from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is invaluable in supporting our mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone.
“With these funds, we can provide 50 additional Comfort Boxes to newly diagnosed cancer patients, offering them not only practical items but also a sense of comfort, hope, and reassurance during their cancer journey.
“This support is crucial in helping patients feel cared for and empowered as they navigate the challenges of treatment.”
In the first four months of 2024 alone, Cancer Card distributed over 400 Comfort Boxes to patients across Scotland. Each box costs the charity £50 to produce and they are distributed to patients free of charge.
The additional 50 boxes funded by Allied Vehicles will be delivered through partnerships with Maggie’s Centres and cancer treatment wards in hospitals, as well as being available directly through the Cancer Card website.
Gerry Facenna, founder of Allied Vehicles, expressed his pride at the Cancer Card donation: “Cancer touches every family, and the work Cancer Card does is so important; not just in distributing these items through the Comfort Box programme, but also helping to provide emotional support to cancer patients during an extremely challenging time.
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, is proud to announce its support for The Wave Project and its innovative surf therapy programmes with a donation of over £30,000.
This significant grant will enable the pioneering initiative to continue its vital work across Dorset, Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Scotland, harnessing the transformative power of surfing to help young people suffering from mental health challenges build confidence, reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, is proud to announce its support for The Wave Project and its innovative surf therapy programmes with a donation of over £30,000.
This significant grant will enable the pioneering initiative to continue its vital work across Dorset, Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Scotland, harnessing the transformative power of surfing to help young people suffering from mental health challenges build confidence, reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
The Wave Project has a proven track record of profoundly impacting the lives of young people through its NHS-recognised interventions. By providing a fun and supportive environment, the charity empowers participants to develop resilience, cultivate social skills and experience a sense of accomplishment.
The Wooden Spoon’s funding has been instrumental in supporting this life-changing initiative across the UK, ensuring that young people can access to this unique resource.
“We are thrilled to support The Wave Project and its expansion,” said Barry Monahan at Wooden Spoon.
“Mental health challenges among young people are a growing concern, and we believe that surf therapy offers a creative and effective way to address these issues. By supporting The Wave Project, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of many young individuals in communities up and down the country.”
Ramon Van de Velde, Chief Executive Officer of The Wave Project said: “We are incredibly grateful for the Wooden Spoon’s generous support and belief in the transformative power of surf therapy.
“Time and again, we witness our interventions’ profound impact on children and young people – replacing anxiety with accomplishment, insecurity with confidence and new-found resilience.
“This funding will enable us to provide even more children and young people with the opportunity to participate in our programmes across the UK.”
Since January this year there has been a 38% increase on the previous year of women seeking help from Edinburgh Women’s Aid due to experiencing domestic abuse.
At the same time, the longer-term impact of the pandemic has made accommodating families in shared homes more challenging. Fear of infection, lack of personal space and the impact of lockdown on children have prompted Edinburgh Women’s Aid to review their current shared accommodation options within the city.
Edinburgh Women’s Aid approached Harbour Homes who are providing up to four two-bedroom flats to be used as emergency accommodation. Those living in the flats leased to Edinburgh Women’s Aid will receive weekly support and a safe and furnished home.
Heather Kiteley, Chief Executive at Harbour Homes said:“In 2022-23, 90% of recorded domestic abuse incidents in Scotland took place inside the home.
“We care deeply about the work Edinburgh Women’s Aid are doing to provide support and refuge to women and children affected by domestic abuse. We extend our support to Edinburgh Women’s Aid and will do all we can to assist those living in the emergency accommodation we provide.”
Karen Griffiths, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Edinburgh Women’s Aid said:“We are incredibly thankful to Harbour Homes for their support in leasing this emergency accommodation to us.
“The flats will provide a safe and stable environment for women and any accompanying children who are at risk of homelessness because of Domestic Abuse, whilst they are supported by Edinburgh Women’s Aid to recover.”
• Last year Childline delivered almost 8,200 counselling sessions to children and young people from Scotland
• In more than 700 of these sessions the young person said that Childline was the first place they had shared their concerns
• Almost all these counselling sessions were conducted online – 59% via 1-2-1 chat and 41% via email.
• The NSPCC calls on the public to play their part for children by getting involved in Childhood Day.
The NSPCC’s Childline service delivered nearly 8,200 counselling sessions last year to children and young people from Scotland, with poor mental health, difficulty with family relationships and friendship issues some of the top concerns.
As the charity prepared for its third annual Childhood Day on Friday (June 7th) it issued a rallying call for families to come together to celebrate childhood by signing-up or joining in on one of the many fundraising activities taking place around the country.
In 2023/24 Childline delivered 8,190 counselling sessions to children and young people from Scotland dealing with a range of worries. Almost all these counselling sessions were conducted online – 59% via 1-2-1 chat and 41% via email – highlighting the changing way in which the service is now provided.
In more than 700 sessions the young person said Childline was the first place they had talked about their concern, reinforcing how vital the service continues to be for children.
The new data released by the NSPCC gives an indicator of the issues and problems facing children and young people in 2024. It also highlights the need for children and parents to find fun ways to spend time together and have conversations about what is taking place in their lives.
Childhood Day brings people together across the UK, Jersey and the Channel Islands to celebrate the joys of being a child, while also encouraging people to play their part to help keep children safe.
This year, for the first time ever, we are held a Childline Sports Day in Glasgow’s Golden Jubilee Hotel. This fun-filled event saw 13 teams battle against each other in physical and cerebral activities to win the coveted Sports Day trophy.
There were lots of fun interactive moments, with live linkups from the other Childline sports day events taking place in Manchester and London, to bring everyone together, and a silent auction, donations, raffle, BBQ, drinks and live entertainment.
While children from Festival Park Day Nursery in Lorne Street, Glasgow, visited Kinning Park Care Home residents on Childhood Day on Friday (June 7) for a day of “intergenerational connection” to show the benefits of interaction between young and old, such as children learning from their elders as well as helping to improve the residents’ mental health. The day includde story time, nursery rhymes and games.
Anne Marie Vernel, Depute Head of Festival Park Day Nursery, said: “The children have been building up relationships with the residents over the past few months and thoroughly enjoy visiting the care home. The children also welcomed the residents into the nursery last month and they were very excited about the visit.
“It’s lovely to see the two generations meet and share stories. History is brought to life when the children hear about what life was like for them when they were growing up, and I’m sure the residents areinterested to hear about childhood experiences today as well.”
People can also get involved by volunteering at a Childhood Day collection, taking on the charity’s Childhood Day Mile or donating directly – including at cash donation points in Lidl GB stores. Additionally, on 7th and 8th June Lidl GB donated £1 to the NSPCC for every customer that spends £10, scans the Lidl Plus app and submits their donation.
Collections took place before the Taylor Swift concert at Murrayfield stadium tram station and at Aberdeen beach Asda yesterday (Saturday).
Further collections will take place across Scotland over the coming days: at Central train station, Glasgow, on Thursday, June 13, at Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow, on June, 14 and 21, at the Foo Fighters concert in Glasgow outside Hampden Park stadium on Monday, June 17 and in Glasgow City Centre on Friday, June 7 with the Rock choir.
All the funds raised from Childhood Day will go towards ensuring the NSPCC can continue to deliver services like Childline to those children who need support and feel they have nowhere else to turn.
Childline often hears from young people about how much the service means to them and positively impacts their lives.
One young person aged 14* from Scotland told Childline: “I want to say thank you so much Childline, you’ve really helped me. I know I can come back anytime for reminders on helping my mental health, or check the website, it’s so good!”
Rebecca Wilcox, President of Childline, said: “As a mother, as well as the President of Childline and a volunteer for the service, I believe it’s incredibly important for young people to have a safe space where they can discuss anything that might be troubling them.
“Childline will always be here for every young person, no matter the nature or size of their concern.”
Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: “Every day Childline continues to be a safe port for hundreds of children struggling with a widening range of issues and concerns.
“Events like Childhood Day play an essential part in providing the support we need to keep Childline running day and night for young people, some of whom have nowhere else to turn.
“As well as raising vital funds for the NSPCC Childhood Day also encourages children and families to celebrate childhood.
“This is why we are calling on communities, schools and families to take part in fun activities, such as the Childhood Day Mile – where they can hop, skip or jump a mile.”
Lidl GB is sponsoring the NSPCC’s Childhood Day for a third year as retail sponsor. Lidl GB has been partnered with the NSPCC for 7 years, raising over £9 million for the charity in this time.
It is currently supporting young people with their mental health by raising money for Childline. Lidl GB will be helping to raise awareness of Childhood Day, as well as holding its own events and activities with colleagues and customers across Great Britain to help raise vital funds.
Also sponsoring this year’s Childline Sports Day is O2. O2 connects millions of families across the UK and is committed to helping keep children and young people safe when gaming, studying and connecting with friends online.
As part of its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, the company is working to improve the digital skills and confidence of six million people by the end of 2025.
Homebuilder’s team in Edinburgh supports Alzheimer Scotland with fitness challenge
Miller Homes Scotland East is supporting Alzheimer Scotland with a donation of £10,595 following recent fundraising efforts that saw the homebuilder’s Edinburgh team complete a month-long step count challenge, alongside other colleagues in the East of Scotland.
For each mile a Scotland East employee stepped during the challenge, Miller Homes pledged to donate £1 to Alzheimer Scotland, resulting in thousands raised for Scotland’s dementia charity.
Making a real difference to the lives of people living in and around the communities Miller Homes is building in, this challenge allowed employees in Edinburgh to stay fit through a variety of exercise methods, from hill walking and running, to taking part in basketball, netball and football games.
Neil Gaffney, Sales Director for Miller Homes Scotland East, is exceptionally proud of the fundraising efforts from the Edinburgh team. He said: “The team members from our head office and West Craigs Manor development in Edinburgh certainly know how to accept a challenge and this charity fundraiser was no different.
“Each employee took this incentive in their stride, quite literally, raising a staggering total for Alzheimer Scotland, a charity we know is close to so many of our employees’ hearts.
“Not only have we been able to provide a cash boost for a great cause, we’ve also been able to encourage our employees in Edinburgh to come together through exercise and improve their overall health and wellbeing.”
Tom Pavey, Fundraising and Engagement Coordinator for Alzheimer Scotland said: “We are delighted to receive this very generous donation from Miller Homes, the support from its employees throughout this partnership has been extraordinary.
“Alzheimer Scotland depends on fundraising and every penny raised will help us to continue to fund our vital network of Dementia Advisors, Dementia Centres and 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline, that all provide critical support for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
“This donation from Miller Homes helps us to Prevent Today, Care Now and Cure Tomorrow.”
For more information on Alzheimer Scotland, visit www.alzscot.org/.
To find out more about Miller Homes’ community work, visit:
Geraldine McFaul, who travelled 2,000 miles on foot from Glasgow to Rome, is taking part in the charity’s From Dalmally To Malawi challenge in June
A woman who took on an epic walking challenge in 2023 is urging people in the UK to join school feeding charity Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, From Dalmally To Malawi, this June.
Last year, Geraldine McFaul, 55, walked all the way from her home in Glasgow to Rome, travelling 2,000 miles on foot in six months. During her amazing adventure, she raised more than £7,500 for Mary’s Meals. To top off Geraldine’s extraordinary journey, she even met The Pope on her arrival to Rome!
Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children in 17 countries across the world. The promise of a daily school meal encourages desperately poor children into the classroom where an education is the key to their dreams of a brighter future.
Geraldine says: “Last summer I walked to Rome and met The Pope, now I’m ‘walking’ to Malawi for charity!
“I’ll really be walking around my local area, but our cumulative miles will equal the 7,000 miles from Dalmally to Malawi. Mary’s Meals is an incredible charity and I’m so pleased to support them again this year.
“I’d love for you to join me in June because you can easily turn your miles into meals for hungry little ones!
“The key thing to an active challenge is not to worry about how fast or far you’re going because every step adds up. It’s an amazing sense of achievement when you reach your goal and I can’t wait to share that feeling with you all!”
By signing up to the challenge, participants will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals.
Participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose, whether walking, running, swimming or cycling. The money raised through sponsorship from family and friends will help to feed hungry children living in the world’s poorest countries.
Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We were all so inspired by Geraldine’s walk to Rome last summer and I hope that she can inspire you to take on From Dalmally To Malawi this June.
It only costs £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year – that’s 10p a meal – so any amount of money you can raise makes a real difference to the children we feed!”
By taking part, people can change the lives of children like Lapukeni from Malawi.
She says: “I like eating phala (porridge) here at school because it gives me freedom from hunger and worries. I am confident that I will work extra hard in class because of the peace of mind that I get from Mary’s Meals.”
To sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, please visit:
Tesco has again joined forces with its suppliers of well-known household brands such as Andrex, Aquafresh, Bodyform, Radox, Sure and Wilkinson Sword to help distribute millions of personal care items to people who are in need.
From now until 11th June, for every two purchases by Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to charity, In Kind Direct.
Last autumn, Tesco teamed up with its suppliers to address rising levels of need and over two million products have already been donated as part of the campaign.
Participating in the campaign again is Unilever, Essity, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark and they are joined by a new partner, Edgewell.
These products will be distributed by In Kind Direct, who works with thousands of charities, community groups, foodbanks, and schools across the UK to get much needed hygiene products into the hands of people who need them.
Recent research commissioned by Essity in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct has illustrated how people are currently experiencing hygiene poverty.
Families are often impacted, and this survey revealed that 10% of Edinburgers in households with dependents have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant.
The survey also found that in Edinburgh, those who have struggled to buy hygiene products during the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (43%), use free products in public areas (43%) or received items from a charity (14%).
Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct, said: “Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision to heat, eat or keep clean on a daily basis, and unfortunately more and more people are being pushed into this position.
“We know hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows that financial difficulties are now impacting everyone.
“The ripple effect impacts mental health, workplace productivity and school attendance – it’s something that requires collective action which is why we’ve formed this partnership with Tesco and some of our committed corporate partners to help reduce hygiene poverty in the UK.”
Thomas Maier, Category Buying Manager for Beauty and Personal Care at Tesco, added: “This new research highlights how the number of families being impacted by hygiene poverty has grown in recent years.
“That is why the work done by In Kind Direct to help people is so important and we are really pleased to be working again with our suppliers to provide hygiene products where they are needed most.”
The campaign is running in Tesco superstores across the United Kingdom until Tuesday 11th June.
