Aldi donated 391 meals to local good causes to help people in need over the Easter school holidays.
The supermarket’s stores across the UK have paired up with local charities, community groups and foodbanks through its partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.
More than 550,000 meals were donated throughout the UK, with almost 2,000 UK causes benefitting from the initiative in total.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK,said:“We understand that the school holidays can be an especially challenging time for families, particularly amid the current cost-of-living crisis.
“Neighbourly carries out such vital work in the community, so we’re proud to be able to support them and the charities, foodbanks and community groups they work with in Midlothian in their efforts to support those who may be struggling.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “The impact of the cost-of-living crisis has intensified, meaning that the demand on foodbanks is continuing to increase, particularly during the school holidays.
“The donations from Aldi are a lifeline for many and provide the essential boost good causes need to continue supporting their local communities.”
Three charities providing support for children and young people across Scotland have received donations totalling £1,500 from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.
Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, UK Career Academy Foundation and Ronald McDonald House received £500 each following nominations for support from employees at the Amazon fulfilment centre.
Children’s Liver Disease Foundation provides information advising families and helping them to cope with living with liver disease. The charity also run events across the UK to help families and children affected by childhood liver disease connect with each other.
UK Career Academy Foundation encourages young people to realise their potential, regardless of the barriers they face in society.
Ronald McDonald House Glasgow offers a safe space for parents and carers next to the Royal Hospital for Children to allow them to remain close to a child undergoing treatment.
Speaking on the donations, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We think very highly of the charitable organisations supporting children and their families through hard times, so it’s great to lend a helping hand to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, UK Career Academy Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Glasgow.
“The work they do for children and families both across Scotland and locally is excellent, and we are pleased to support them with these donations.”
George Fleming, an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “The three charities we’re supporting put so much time and effort into their causes and it really shows.
“The care my family received at Ronald McDonald House Glasgow was excellent and I’m so pleased we can support the team with this donation.”
Lauren Coffey, from Ronald McDonald House Glasgow, added: “I would like to thank the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their support with this donation. We aim to support families and children during such difficult times and as a fully self-funded House we couldn’t do it without help from the community.”
The donations to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, UK Career Academy Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Glasgow were made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.
Gordon Ramsay OBE has matched a £15,000 fundraising drive by diners at his Edinburgh restaurants to donate a total of £31,392 to Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.
It has now been revealed the diner donations, combined with the proceeds from Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger’s launch day, amounted to an incredible £15,642. SBH Scotland Honorary Patron and long-standing supporter of the charity, Gordon Ramsay OBE, then matched the funds raised to give the charity an extra special funds boost.
The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
A spokesperson for Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said: “We are very proud of the special relationship we have built with SBH Scotland, and it has been amazing to see such enthusiasm from kind-hearted diners in Edinburgh and beyond to support the GReat Donate.
“We’d like to thoroughly thank everyone who visited Street Burger and Bread Street Kitchen during the festive season and added that voluntary donation onto their bill. This small gesture will have a big impact as every £1 raised will ensure the charity can continue to provide their life-changing services.”
Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For nearly 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.
Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “Gordon and Tana Ramsay have been great friends to SBH Scotland for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful to them and the restaurant teams for their continued support.
“Funds raised are crucial for the dedicated support we can provide now and for the next 12 months. We heavily rely on fundraising to reach our annual targets and with a goal of over £1million pounds to raise throughout 2023, we’re calling on the generosity of businesses and the general public to ensure we can continue to provide vital services including 1-2-1 support in homes and hospitals, health check clinics and support groups to those affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Scotland.
“Whether you’re a restaurant or café who would consider adding a £1 voluntary donation to diner’s bills, or if you’d like to get your staff teams or friends together to Kiltwalk or take on our infamous Zipslide the Clyde challenge in September 2023, every pound raised will go a long way in making a positive difference to the lives of thousands of families.”
To support SBH Scotland or to find out more about other events happening throughout the year, call 03455 211 600, email fundraising@sbhscotland.org.uk or visit
Residents in Scotlandcan nominate a good cause to receive £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than £1million gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland.
Since the awards began, people in Scotland have submitted over 141,400 nominations and 179 Scottish based charities have benefited from valuable donations.
While the pandemic and the current economic climate has had an adverse effect on cash donations, the amount of people choosing to volunteer their time for a good cause is rising.
Scottish residents can now give a minute to nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com.
The Movement for Goods Awards has gifted over £4million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started.
Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. 150 winning charities will be announced from 1 June, with a further 150 revealed in September. Further gifts will be awarded throughout the year.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, says: “We are immensely proud to be supporting many hundreds of charities through our Movement for Good Awards for the fifth year running.
“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference so we’re asking that people give a minute of their time to nominate a cause they care about to receive an award.
“Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes. With financial strain continuing to impact many households the Movement for Good Awards represents a great way for people to continue to support causes close to their hearts, without worrying about an additional cost.
“Any charity can win no matter how large or small and even with just one nomination. So find a minute, jump online and nominate – because that small amount of time is invaluable for charities.”
Benefact Group has donated almost £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK2. The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025.
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
Four charities that support communities across Scotland, and beyond, have received donations totalling £16,000 from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland.
The donations were made to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), SAY Women, Broomhouse Community Hall, and Change Mental Health following nominations of support from employees at Amazon’s office in Edinburgh’s Waterloo Place.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People, which has a support centre in Edinburgh, is the UK’s leading sight loss charity. Staff and volunteers provide practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. The charity’s staff and volunteers raise awareness of the experiences of blind and partially sighted people and campaign for change to make society more accessible for everyone.
SAY Women positively impacts communities across Glasgow by supporting young women aged 16 – 25 who are survivors of sexual violence, homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result. The charity offers accommodation for young women, support through emotional and mental health difficulties and education to help the people it supports prepare for an independent, fulfilled and happy life.
Broomhouse Community Hall is a voluntary organisation run by residents in Broomhouse with the aim of ensuring local views are considered when decisions are taken that impact the community. The organisation, based on Baillieston Road, runs events for people in Glasgow who are lonely, isolated or struggling to buy food. The charity’s volunteers also manage the area’s annual Christmas tree light switch on.
Change Mental Health is a charity that creates talks and training programmes to help people with mental health struggles. Its services, many of which are bespoke to each person it supports, help build confidence and social skills, allowing people to feel more integrated in their community.
Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “The services offered by these charities have an incredible impact on communities across Scotland and we wanted to lend a helping hand to the staff and volunteers with these donations.
“The work being done by the RNIB, SAY Women, Broomhouse Community Hall and Support in Mind Scotland positively impacts the lives of many people across Scotland, and beyond, and we’re pleased to offer them our support.”
Jim Hume, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Change Mental Health, added: “From the staff and volunteers at Change Mental Health, I would like to say thank you to the team at Amazon for acknowledging our hard work and offering us their support.
“It is great to receive this donation from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.”
Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, whose constituency covers SAY Women, said: “I am delighted that SAY Women, located in my Glasgow Kelvin constituency, have been given this funding by Amazon for the very valuable work they do supporting young women survivors of sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness.
“This funding will undoubtedly be put to good use providing services for this vulnerable group. I hope it will make a real difference to young women dealing with very challenging circumstances, including the damaging impact on mental health.”
John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, whose constituency covers Broomhouse Community Hall, said: ‘’I am pleased to see part of this £16,000 go to Broomhouse Community Hall.
It cannot be overstated the importance of places where the community can engage on issues which affects local people. It is my belief, these are the grassroots and foundations of our democracy.
“It also provides a place where vulnerable people can seek help and support from their neighbours and local community. I wholly congratulate Broomhouse Community Hall for this richly deserved donation.’’
Community donations are one of several ways in which Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.
Amazon provides students, teachers and parents with free computer science and STEM education programmes and has teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than six million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the country.
Venture Scotland is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.
Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
Venture Scotland is one of the groups on the shortlist and is seeking funding to replace their water-based kit. Venture Scotland is a charity operating in Glasgow and Edinburgh which uses nature and the outdoors to spark discovery, development and deep thinking in young people who are struggling with their mental health.
They run a long-term, 4 stage programme, known as The Journey, which focuses on developing mental health awareness, resilience, confidence and practical life skills. Every week, the young people take part in group-based outdoor activity days, such as canoeing, hillwalking and rock climbing, interactive group sessions and 1-to-1 support sessions with staff.
“Most of our young people have never been outside of their local community and have never experienced the adventure, tranquillity and transformative effect of regular outdoor activity. Our project will help improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of young people in our communities and improve their chance of a living a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life.”
Voting is open in Edinburgh Tesco stores from early April and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.
Tesco’s Community Grants scheme has already awarded over £100 million to more than 50,000 projects across Britain. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every three months, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
Tony McElroy, Tesco’s Head of Communications in Scotland, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”
Emma Halliday, Community Enabler Coordinator at greenspace Scotland, which supports Tesco Community Grant applicants and successful projects in Scotland, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive.
“By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”
Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online.
Dalkeith Country Park raises funds for Edinburgh-based charity
Breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count is set for a bumper Easter boost courtesy of Dalkeith Country Park.
The organisation, which supports patients with secondary breast cancer, is the visitor attraction’s charity partner for 2023 and benefits from a range of fundraising initiatives through The Park’s activities and the generosity of visitors.
Easter provides the latest chance to support the work of Make 2nds Count, which raises awareness of, and funds research into, the little-known form of incurable cancer which claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK and is currently affecting 61,000 people.
Fashionistas can get an exclusive preview of the Restoration Yard’s new spring and summer collection on the evening of March 30. The boutique shopping event, featuring fizz, a goody bag and styling tips straight from the catwalk, also includes a charity raffle for the Karen Henderson Charity Fund, in aid of Make 2nds Count.
A couple of days later, April 1 sees the staging of the inaugural Duck Race when a flock of yellow birds will vie for position on the River Esk, and throughout April 2-14 kids can take part in a hands-on Easter biscuit decorating workshop.
Then on May 4, the Inception Art Show returns to Dalkeith Palace, showcasing a curated collection of artists until May 14. This year, Dalkeith Country Park is delighted to have Anderson Strathern on board as the headline sponsor. The exciting, sales-led contemporary art exhibition launched in 2021. This year 35 modern and contemporary artists, sculptors, photographers and painters have been invited to ‘take over’ The Palace.
As part of the 10-day programme, an online charity art auction will run in partnership with The Auction Collective creating an enticing event when buyers have the chance to bid for works from many of the Inception artists, painters & photographers, whilst supporting Make 2nds Count.
Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body, secondary breast cancer is incurable, although it can be treated. Make 2nds Count patient champion, the late Karen Henderson, was a visitor to The Park and is fondly remembered there.
Remko Plooij, Managing Director of Dalkeith Country Park says: “Make 2nds Count was chosen as our charity partner in recognition of the connection between Dalkeith Country Park and Karen Henderson, who was a dearly loved visitor.
“The tireless work that the charity does to support patients and families living with secondary breast cancer is outstanding, and we are thrilled to be part of their efforts for this coming year.”
Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count: “We rely so heavily on fundraising and donations and are thrilled that Dalkeith Country Park is supporting us.
“It’s wonderful that, at this special time of year, visitors to The Park can also share their fundraising ethos and help make such a difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
Leading community retailer, Scotmid, is inviting charities across Edinburgh to become its charity partner of the year for 2023-24, working together on a programme of fundraising and support.
The convenience retailer is looking for an organisation that shares its values and passion for supporting local communities. Together, both will build a creative and fun partnership to encourage participation and fundraising from colleagues, members and customers alike.
Current charity partner, Guide Dogs, will use the donations from Scotmid to support guide dogs in training as well as recruiting and training Habilitation Specialists and Guide Dog Mobility Specialists.
These Specialists play a crucial role with hundreds of children and young people (0-25 years) who have a visual impairment to help them develop a broad range of skills and live a more independent life.
Kyla McVicar, Business Development Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We’d encourage charities to apply for this exciting opportunity to be Scotmid’s next charity partner.
“You’ll be joining forces with an incredible organisation who really care about making a massive difference in local communities.”
Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Membership & Community at Scotmid, said: “The charity of the year partnership provides both a fantastic platform for us to support worthwhile causes and for our charity partner to have the extended support of our colleagues, members and customers.
“We are seeking an ambitious charity that will make the most of this incredible opportunity and can’t wait to begin working with the cause.”
Scotmid has raised over one million pounds during its last three partnerships with CHAS, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Scottish SPCA.
Scotmid’s Charities Team will host a live Q&A at 11am on Wednesday 29th March. Joining information available from membership@scotmid.co.uk.
Charities can find more information on how to apply here.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 14th April 2023.
Aldi has officially donated 30 million meals to good causes since launching its food donations initiative in 2019, with 137,938 meals being donated to local communities in Edinburgh.
In partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly, all of the supermarket’s stores in Edinburgh are partnered with foodbanks, charities and community groups, who receive surplus food year-round.
As a result of the successful partnership, more than 4,000 good causes across the country have now benefitted from the scheme, including soup kitchens and children’s breakfast clubs.
The milestone follows Aldi’s donation of £250,000 to Neighbourly to launch its Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund to further support increased demand during the cold months.
Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “Donating 137,938 meals in Edinburgh through our partnership with Neighbourly is an amazing achievement, with the initiative now more vital than ever for local community groups and charities who face soaring demand.
“We’re committed to doing all that we can to support people in the communities where we trade, and through our partnership with Neighbourly we have helped to make food more accessible for those in Edinburgh.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added:“We’ve worked with Aldi for several years to help them further their support for those in need.
“The cost-of-living crisis is impacting communities in Edinburgh and we’ve seen the demand on foodbanks and local causes increase drastically since our partnership began.
“The support of the public and businesses like Aldi makes a huge difference. We know the donations have helped thousands of charities, community groups and families in need.”
Aldi has also recently extended its partnership with Company Shop Group to help excess stock from its network of Regional Distribution Centres be redistributed to community stores across the UK.
Charities and community groups interested in working with Aldi should contact Neighbourly at aldi@neighbourly.com.
· 36 charities will each receive a £3,000 donation
· The charities are part of Nando’s ‘No Chuckin’ Our Chicken’ initiative, established ten years ago to help feed communities in need
Nando’s will donate £108,000 to 36 charities across Scotland and Wales to support relieving food poverty in the communities in which its restaurants operate.
Each charity, as members of the Nando’s ‘No Chuckin’ Our Chicken’ initiative, will receive a total of £3,000. The initiative was established in 2013 to help local charities feed communities in need while reducing food waste – with each Nando’s restaurant selecting their own charity partner.
The donations have been funded by the mandatory 10p and 5p charges for single-use paper carrier bags in Scotland and Wales respectively. Nando’s has collected these charges in line with regulations since 2015 and is committed to continuing to donate proceeds to its local charity partners.
Richard Craft, Nando’s UK Community lead, said: “We know that the start of the year can be a particularly challenging time for local charities as everyone looks to cut back on their spending.
“That’s why we’ve committed to making these donations to our charity partners in Scotland and Wales. We hope these donations, on top of our food donation programme, will help our fantastic partners to continue their work in feeding those who need it most.”
Nando’s No Chuckin’ Our Chicken scheme sees any cooked chicken that hasn’t been sold temperature checked, frozen and delivered to each restaurant’s charity partner at the end of every night. To date, Nando’s has provided the equivalent of over 3 million meals to more than 500 UK charities. Nando’s works in partnership with the UK’s largest food redistribution charity FareShare to run the programme.
Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “The cost of living crisis is having a disproportionate impact on those already struggling to make ends meet, and our charities are finding it increasingly hard to meet the skyrocketing demand from those in need.
“The support from Nando’s and its No Chuckin’ Our Chicken scheme continues to be invaluable in aiding national donations and helping FareShare continue delivering much needed food this winter.”
Charity recipients will be able to use the £3,000 donation as they wish, and some plan to invest in projects including upgrading their kitchens; enhancing their pantries and supporting people with recipes; alongside upskilling their volunteers to enhance their service.
