charity support – Page 8 – The NEN

LifeCare and Lannan celebrate sweet success and a growing partnership following sold-out event

LifeCare Edinburgh’s Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan proved a resounding success, raising nearly £3,000 to support LifeCare’s lifeline community services for older people across the city.

Hosted in LifeCare’s welcoming Hub on Cheyne Street, the sold-out event treated guests to a truly memorable afternoon of exquisite Lannan cakes, community connection, and live piano music – all in aid of LifeCare’s mission to deliver care, connection, and companionship to older people across Edinburgh.

Following the success of this first collaboration, LifeCare and Lannan are delighted to announce that their Sweet Partnership will continue, with two Afternoon Teas planned for 2026.

To make the festive season even sweeter, Lannan will also be donating their beautifully made traditional trifles for LifeCare’s Community Christmas Lunches – a delicious gesture that’s sure to spread joy across Edinburgh this December.

Darcie Maher of Lannan, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to partner with LifeCare. This was our first event of its kind, and we couldn’t have chosen a better partner.

“We’ve had the privilege of seeing and hearing about the incredible work they do firsthand, and we’re so pleased to have been able to contribute. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to make a difference, one slice at a time!”

Claire Montgomery, LifeCare’s Fundraising Manager, added: “We’re over the moon with the success of this first Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan.

“The generosity of everyone involved – from our guests and volunteers to the wonderful team at Lannan – has helped raise essential funds and awareness for our work. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year for not one, but two, tasty events – and book now for those Christmas trifles!”

Tickets for LifeCare’s upcoming Community Christmas Lunches on the 9th, 10th, 18th and 19th of December are now available – but spaces are limited, so book early while you still can!

£18 pp including a donation towards spreading Christmas Cheer.

Call 0131 343 0940, email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or visit the LifeCare hub on Cheyne Street to book.

Spooktacular surprise for Edinburgh’s Teenage Cancer Trust wards

Aldi has helped Teenage Cancer Trust patients and staff in Edinburgh get into the Halloween spirit by donating a range of seasonal goodies.

The wards at Western General Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children received everything from pumpkins and decorations to costumes and treats, helping young people to celebrate Halloween away from home.

Since first partnering with Teenage Cancer Trust in 2017, Aldi has raised more than £12 million for the charity, with a commitment to raise £20 million by 2031 to ensure no young person faces cancer alone.

This Halloween, 28 Teenage Cancer Trust units across the country received donations from the supermarket, giving patients, family and staff the chance to enjoy seasonal celebrations together.

Michelle Aucott, Senior Partnerships Manager at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We’re so grateful to Aldi for their continued support.

“These small seasonal gestures make a big difference, helping young people to celebrate Halloween away from home.”

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, added: “We’re proud to support Teenage Cancer Trust through a wide range of fundraising events and donations. Halloween is meant to be a time of fun and thrills, so we hope that our donation will help to bring some spooky fun and joy to young people and staff this year.”

Teenage Cancer Trust works in partnership with the NHS to provide highly-trained expert staff and specialist cancer units in NHS hospitals across the UK. The charity is there at every stage from diagnosis, through treatment and after treatment.

It also brings young people with cancer together so they can support each other.  

Loganair marks four-year partnership with CHAS with aircraft naming

Loganair has marked the fourth anniversary of its partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) by naming one of its aircraft in honour of the charity.

The aircraft will carry the charity’s name across the airline’s network, helping raise awareness of its work among passengers and communities across the UK.

“Spirit of CHAS” was formally adopted as the name of the new ATR72-500 plane.

The partnership has developed into a long-term collaboration between the airline and the charity, combining financial support with practical assistance. As part of this, Loganair provides flights for CHAS at Home nurses, enabling them to reach families in island and remote communities where specialist care is often more difficult to access.

Loganair also operate the famous CHAS flight, which this year took place at Glasgow Airport. Seven children and their families went on a sightseeing route along Scotland’s west coast, offering a safe space for families to enjoy air travel and see the incredible sights.

The day included character visits from Snow White, Rapunzel, Spiderman and Batman, who helped make the experience especially memorable for those taking part.

The CHAS flight has become a regular fixture in Loganair’s calendar, having previously taken place from Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.

Since forming the partnership in 2021, Loganair has raised over £85,000 for CHAS through staff fundraising activities and customer donations on the airline’s website.

Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said: “CHAS provides an invaluable service to families across Scotland, and we are pleased to continue supporting the charity through both fundraising and practical assistance.

“The naming of one of our aircraft reflects the importance of our partnership and our commitment to helping CHAS continue its work. Our hope is that ‘Spirit of CHAS’ will inspire others to support and promote the amazing work of the charity.

“Our customers’ generosity through the £2 donation scheme has been remarkable, and we’re very proud that their contributions are helping CHAS reach more families who rely on its care and support.”

Rami Okasha, chief executive officer at CHAS, said: “Witnessing the ‘Spirit of CHAS’ plane launch was a delight. We are proud to celebrate four years of our partnership with Loganair and would like to thank them for all their support.

“This important partnership means, we can bring smiles, comfort, and precious memories to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys.

“Loganair’s special support to CHAS families includes free flights for staff to reach families on Scottish islands who use our CHAS at Home service. CHAS is there for children and families in every part of Scotland, no matter where they live.

“Through customer donations at checkout, Loganair has raised over £40k, helping us to fund essential services, including CHAS at Home, providing a vital lifeline for families, especially those in remote or rural communities.

“Our CHAS at Home team supports children and families in their own homes, providing a range of care and support, including symptom management and emotional support, as well as moments of connection and play.

“The incredible amount raised will help us fund a CHAS At Home Nurse for a year.”

Kitchen upgrade for Pilton Retreat thanks to rugby charity Wooden Spoon

We would like to thank the Wooden Spoon Charity for their very generous funding towards the upgrade of our kitchen at Pilton Retreat in Ratho (writes LESLEY ROSS).

The kitchen has been well used over the years and was dated and in need of repair. This funding has transformed the kitchen.

It was officially opened on Friday by Roger Baird, former Scotland International rugby player.

What a great afternoon it was meeting members of the Wooden Spoon, talking about the work of MYDG and all the groups that visit and stay at Pilton Retreat.

It was a chance to showcase the facility and talk about the importance of the centre for children, young people and their families in particular those from the North Edinburgh area.

We spoke about the history of Pilton Retreat and we hope this afternoon has raised the profile of the centre – we have grown our contacts and partnership opportunities and the chance of more funding in the future from a range of sources.

What a great afternoon it was !!!.

Lesley Ross (Manager Pilton Retreat)

Jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks celebrates companywide milestone of £25million raised for charities

A Fort Kinnaird jewellery retailer celebrated International Charity Day with a landmark achievement for charitable giving, after donating £25 million from company profits to charities and communities since 2000.

Beaverbrooks Fort Kinnaird located in Fort Kinnaird Shopping Park has contributed to the total by supporting a variety of fundraising activities – including Payroll Giving, with every donation matched by the business to amplify the impact.

The store team has also taken part in volunteering for local charity, Edinburgh Cat & Dog Home. Alongside this, each colleague receives £100 each year to donate to a cause close to their heart.

As part of Beaverbrooks’ core purpose of enriching lives and making a difference, the business donates 20% of its retained profits each year and has supported more than 500 charities over the past 25 years.

It also leads the way in Payroll Giving, with 45% of colleagues regularly donating through their pay – far above the national average of 6% – which has earned Beaverbrooks a Diamond Quality Award for the past seven years.

Fiona House, Store Manager at Beaverbrooks Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re so proud to be part of this £25 million milestone. Giving back is what Beaverbrooks is all about – and our Fort Kinnaird team love supporting causes that really matter in our community.

“Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, or simply lending a hand, it’s amazing to see the difference we can make together.”

To mark the occasion, Beaverbrooks stores will be offering fizz and sweet treats from Friday to Monday, with a special thank you for customers who join the Beaverbrooks Club – including £25 off when spending £100 or more.

To find out more about Beaverbrooks’ charity and community work, visit:

https://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/100/enriching-lives

Aldi donates over 43,000 meals to local charities over summer

Aldi stores in Edinburgh and The Lothians donated over 43,000 meals to families in need throughout the recent summer holidays.

All Edinburgh and Lothian stores aided local charities and foodbanks during the period of increased demand by redistributing surplus food through community giving platform Neighbourly.

The UK’s fourth largest supermarket has worked with Neighbourly since 2019 and has already donated more than 8.8 million meals so far this year to those in need nationwide.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are proud to continue supporting incredible causes across the country this summer, helping to provide fresh, wholesome food to those who need it most.

“School holidays can be a challenging time for many families, and this summer we’re continuing our efforts to provide support where we can through our partnership with Neighbourly.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “Summer holidays represent one of the busiest times of the year for charities and food banks, and this year was no different.

“Aldi’s generous donations played a key role in helping support families, and our partnership continues to make a meaningful difference to those who need it most.”

Shoppers can also donate food to local charities, food banks and community groups via the community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide.

Britain’s fourth largest supermarket also works with Company Shop, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products, to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres.

Local Tesco store supports local hospice with five figure donation

As part of their ongoing commitment to the local community, a Tesco Superstore in Edinburgh has raised £19,382 for St. Columba’s Hospice Care through instore fundraising and other initiatives.

The store, located on Broughton Road, has spent eight years raising vital funds for the hospice, which provides people in Edinburgh with end-of-life care, as well as supporting their families.

Recently, members of the Tesco team took part in the 7 Hills of Edinburgh Challenge, a long gruelling walk of around 27km with over 700m of climbing involved, in which they raised nearly £2,000 for the hospice alone.

In September, the team will be taking part in the famous Edinburgh Kiltwalk, part of Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 178,000 people taking part since 2016.

Year-long fundraising in store includes a book donation point, which was started by store colleague Caroline Phillip, where customers are encouraged to take a book and make a small donation, which is then given to the hospice – with a current sum of £17,432 donated so far. Books are provided by local businesses and customers.

Ross Wallace, Store Manager at the Superstore, said: “We have supported St. Columba’s Hospice Care for many years and are delighted we have been able to give them such a fantastic donation of over £19,000.

“The hospice has provided help to not only colleagues in store, but our customers as well, so it’s a cause very close to our communities’ hearts.

“I’m extremely proud of all my staff for going the extra mile to raise funds for a vital service which supports so many people in the area, and I’d like to thank everyone who kindly donated over the years too.”

Amanda Southey, Partnerships Fundraiser, said: “We’re incredibly thankful to the team at Tesco for their continued commitment and generosity over the years.

“Their support makes a real difference to families across Edinburgh and the Lothians, allowing us to deliver expert, compassionate care, so no one has to face the end of life alone.”

Tesco Superstore is located at 7 Broughton Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 4EW.

Donations can be made to the store’s Kiltwalk efforts at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rosswallace-688924857d8396eb850a9ec7.

For more information on St. Columba’s Hospice Care and how to support, please visit https://stcolumbashospice.org.uk/.

Alan Cumming to host fundraising event for Pitlochry Festival Theatre with Off The Ball’s Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming is set to host a fundraising event for the Theatre on Sunday 28 September, when he spends an entertaining evening in conversation with sports pundits Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove, celebrating over 30 years of Scotland’s best loved (and self-proclaimed worst informed) football radio show, BBC Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball.

Whether you are a football fan or a Theatre lover (or both!) , join Alan as he delves into the history of this dynamic duo, and their unique style of football punditry which has brought joy each week to football fans across Scotland. The conversation will be followed by the chance for audience members to ask their own questions to Tam and Stuart.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming said: “I am a huge fan of Off the Ball even though I know and have very little interest in football.

“I guested on the show once (and can’t wait to again, hint hint), and my big brother – who is a football nut and was I think rather jealous of my proximity to Scotland’s fitba royalty – said ‘you just giggled the whole time’. And he was right. “Tam and Stuart are hilarious, irreverent, and even just the timbre of their voices and their vocabulary make me howl with laughter and I could listen to them all day.

“This fundraiser is a beautiful gesture by them to support me and my plans for my first season of work at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and a great chance for everyone who loves football and comedy to witness, in the flesh, these petty and ill-informed football titans!”

Tam Cowan added: “I first suggested doing this fundraiser for the theatre when Alan Cumming was appointed artistic director as he’s been a great friend of Off the Ball with numerous plugs for the programme on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Me and Stuart appreciate the support (it’s not every day a James Bond baddie praises your work!) and, to reciprocate, I thought the least we could do was put on a wee freebie at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, just a few miles from where Stuart was born and bred.

“We’re really looking forward to a no-holds-barred petty & ill-informed evening of stories, jokes and memories – and we might even spill a few Off the Ball secrets for the punters who donate a few quid extra by splashing out on a VIP meet’n’greet ticket…!”

Pitlochry festival Theatre new Studio official opening.

An Evening with Off the Ball’s Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove is scheduled as the first in a series of In Conversation fundraising events to be held at the Theatre over the next year.

These events will bring in much needed funds for the Theatre, a charity, which produces work here in Pitlochry at its on-site workshop and rehearsal rooms.

The funds from the evening will go to support the Theatre’s 2026 programme, which will be Alan Cumming’s first season of programming as Artistic Director, as well as the Theatre’s 75^th Anniversary Season.

Further In Conversation events will be announced in the coming months.

General tickets for the fundraising event cost £25. VIP Meet and Greet packages are also available, allowing audiences members the opportunity to enjoy nibbles and drinks whilst chatting with Tam, Stuart, and Alan.

An Evening with Off the Ball’s Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove will be on Sunday 28 September at 7pm at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Tickets are available from the box office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com  

To find out more about supporting Pitlochry Festival Theatre visit:

pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/support-us/

Edinburgh carers’ charity awarded £5,000 by Scotmid members

Edinburgh-based charity, Care for Carers has received £5,000 in funding thanks to votes from Scotmid members.

Scotmid lets members vote for local causes with their membership cards. Care for Carers received the most support in the East.

The Community Listening Project, Pennypit Trust, Canongate Youth, Door in the Wall, and Croft Street Hub each received £1000.

Founded in 1989, Care for Carers is a voluntary organisation that supports unpaid carers of all ages and circumstances.

The charity provides emotional and practical help, from one-to-one guidance to information and signposting, as well as opportunities for carers to take time for themselves. These services enable carers to step away from their caring role, connect with others in similar situations, and recharge.

Ruth MacLennan, CEO, Care for Carers, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Scotmid Members for the Member Choice Award.

“This funding means we can do even more for the carers we support, including being able to offer vital respite opportunities – it will make such a difference to us to have this award.”

The Member Choice Awards complement Scotmid’s ongoing community grants and donations, which together benefit more than 1,000 organisations annually. These include youth clubs, mental health charities, food banks, and environmental programmes.

The next Member Choice Awards cycle, ending in November 2025, has shortlisted the following good causes from the east region: The Larder, Spark, Seagull Trust, Gorebridge Community Care, Forever Young Club, and Kirkliston Community Conservation Volunteers/Waste Not Want Not Community Fridge.

The winner will be announced later this year.

Learn more or apply for future rounds at: https://scotmid.coop/community-funding

Underbelly Raises Over £15,000 From 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit

The seventh annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £15,203 adding to the previously raised amount of £700,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity.
9 acts performed for the Big Brain Tumour Benefit: Ivo Graham, David O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Abandoman, Celya AB, Emmanuel Sonubi, Garry Starr, Ahir Shah and Bella Hull.

Underbelly today announces the 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised £15,203 for The Brain Tumour Charity, the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

A stand-out in Underbelly’s 25th Anniversary programme, the one-off show hosted by Ivo Graham featured performances from O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Celya AB, Emmanuel Sonubi, Garry Starr, Ahir Shah, Bella Hull and Abandoman in his only Fringe performance of 2025. 100% of profits (ticket income less box office commissions and other costs related to the event) from this promotional venture will be donated to The Brain Tumour Charity.

The Big Brain Tumour Benefit was created by Underbelly in 2017 following the diagnosis of an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called Ependymoma in Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam. At the end of August in 2019, Alfie sadly died, aged 7.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: “I’d like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who performed in, and attended Underbelly’s 7th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit last night.

“It makes me immensely proud that together we have raised more than £15,000 with donations going to a specific research project to find new treatments for some of the most aggressive forms of paediatric brain tumours.

“Our goal is to raise £1.5 million for this project through a series of special fundraising events such as Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit. Together we can continue to raise vital funds for research and awareness so that nobody’s life expectancy is dictated by their tumour.”

Sally King, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We’re thrilled that this year’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised over £15,000 and want to thank everyone for their incredible support and generosity.

“This event is a true highlight of Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – uniting us in comedy to raise awareness and vital funds – and we are hugely grateful to the team at Underbelly for their unwavering commitment to helping us defeat brain tumours.”

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

Research into brain tumours is severely underfunded in the UK and yet represents the biggest cancer killer for under 40s. Around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed each year but diagnosis times of childhood brain tumours are longer in the UK than in many other countries.

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to improving the lives of everyone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.

To find out more about the vital work that they do and to get help from their support services, please visit www.thebraintumrcharity.org or call their Information and support line on 0808 800 0004.

Further donations to the fund are welcome by visiting the link here:

https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QVV19ZDB?utm_campaign=pdf&utm_medium=print&utm_source=qr

Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show.

For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.