As charities across the UK face increasing financial pressure and a decline in overall donations, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is thanking its community of regular donors whose ongoing support is helping transform the lives of pets and their owners.
Today, 3,044 regular donors collectively fund approximately one sixth of the charity’s work and aid in ensuring animals receive the care they need all year round.
With rising energy and operational costs placing growing pressure on animal welfare charities, the Home is highlighting the vital role that consistent, monthly donations play in keeping its doors open. It costs around £7,000 per day to run the Home, which receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on the generosity of the public.
Amelia Morgan, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said:“Regular giving allows us to plan for the future and ensure these wonderful animals receive the highest quality of care all year round, no matter what.
“We are endlessly grateful for the continuing support of our regular donors who help us be there for dogs and cats who need us.”
Even small monthly donations have a direct impact, from helping provide food for growing kittens and puppies, to covering essential treatments, specialist diets, and dedicated behavioural training to help dogs thrive.
That ongoing support is what enables the charity to make rehoming stories like Hamish’s possible.
Hamish, an anxious collie, spent almost a year in the Home’s care after struggling to trust new people. The team worked patiently to build his confidence, knowing it would take time for him to truly come out of his shell and find the right person for Hamish.
That moment came when he met his new owner Paul. Visit by visit, trust began to grow, until Hamish was ready to take the next step. Today, he is thriving, full of life, loyal and enjoying the loving home he deserves.
Hamish’s journey is just one example of the impact regular donations make every day. In 2025 alone, the Home accepted 343 animals, rehomed or reunited 318 pets, and provided more than 636,000 meals through community food banks, support that met only half of the demand seen across the region.
As demand continues to grow, the charity says regular giving will play an increasingly important role in ensuring it can continue to support pets and their owners through challenging times.
Amelia added:“Every single regular donation helps us be there for animals like Hamish and the thousands more who need us each year.
“To everyone who already supports us, thank you. You are making a real and lasting difference every single day.”
To donate to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, please visit:
Charity calls for urgent path funding to invest in safe, local routes
SCOTLAND is walking and wheeling more than ever, a new national survey by a leading charity has revealed.
The latest Scottish Walking and Wheeling Survey from charity Walking Scotland reveals that 57% of adults now walk or wheel every day, up from 52% in 2023, and 86% walk several times a week.
Yet not everyone is keeping pace, as one in 20 admit to never walking – despite over half of survey participants saying they would like to walk more for leisure (68%) and routine reasons (63%).
Across Scotland, people report poor pavement quality, safety concerns, and poor access to local amenities are preventing them from doing so, showing a disconnect between ambition and reality.
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive of Walking Scotland, said: “Scots want to walk more, and many are. But these figures show too many people still face barriers that stop them. It’s time to make walking the easy choice for everyone. This is a moment to listen to what communities are telling us.
“We know that almost six in 10[1] would walk more if path infrastructure was better, so the ambition is there. People want to walk.”
The survey shows that the vast majority agree that walking benefits both their physical and mental health, and a good network of paths and pavements is cited as an important consideration when deciding whether to walk or wheel.
Scotland has led the way in promoting walking and wheeling up to now, but Scotland’s only remaining path fund for communities in Scotland, supported by the Scottish Government, comes to an end in early 2026.
That’s why, as the 2026 Scottish Parliament election approaches, the charity is calling for a National Path Fund to ensure everyone has access to safe, well-maintained paths.
Kevin continued: “Demand for our support and advice is higher than ever. This research gives a clear direction of travel. A National Path Fund would ensure everyone in Scotland has access to safe, well-maintained routes.”
Everyday walking and wheeling are simple actions with long term benefits for Scotland, improving health, connecting communications, and supporting climate and nature ambitions. Evidence shows that for every £1 spent on walking infrastructure, the return is up to £6 in health, economic and environmental benefits.
The charity says the results of this survey will shape upcoming work with local authorities, communities and delivery partners, identifying areas most in need of investment and support.
It shows that where paths and local environments are safe, accessible and well-maintained, people will choose to walk and wheel more often. Walking Scotland want to make this an option for everyone.
Making walking and wheeling part of everyday life is at the heart of Walking Scotland’s mission. Through initiatives like the Step Count Challenge, the charity continues to inspire people across Scotland to move more, feel better, and take steps toward a healthier, greener future.
With availability at its Edinburgh stores for further charities to get involved, local organisations now have the opportunity to be paired with their local Aldi stores to collect surplus food donations regularly.
Any organisations not already working with Neighbourly but interested in collecting unsold food from Aldi can find out more and sign up for free here.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our food donation scheme plays a vital role in ensuring that fresh and healthy food is accessible to those in need all year round, while also allowing us to redistribute surplus stock that would otherwise go to waste.
“Our charity partners provide vital support every day, and we’re proud to work with Neighbourly to help make a positive difference in communities across the UK. As we approach what can typically be a busier period for these organisations, we’re pleased to be able to bring even more charities on board to our donations scheme.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “Local charities and community groups continue to see high demand for their services, at times with limited resources. Aldi’s surplus food donations offer practical help, and we’d love to hear from more organisations who could benefit.”
Shoppers can also donate food to local charities, food banks and community groups via the 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.
Imagine This, the only UK charity solely dedicated to children’s mental health, today unveils its new name as part of a bold new chapter in its mission to support the mental wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families across the UK. Formerly known as The Murray Parish Trust, the rebrand marks a renewed focus on this urgent and underserved area.
Founded in 2014 by actors Sarah Parish MBE and Jim Murray MBE, following the tragic loss of their daughter Ella-Jayne at just 8 months old, the charity has spent over a decade delivering life-changing projects in paediatric care in Hampshire, where the couple live. In 2024, the charity expanded its mission nationally in response to the growing need for mental health support in children’s healthcare.
MBE
Awarded in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List, their MBEs will be formally presented by HRH The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle tomorrow. The Honours celebrate a decade of extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of seriously ill children and their families across the UK.
Their leadership has driven vital progress in paediatric care, from funding life-saving medical equipment to championing imaginative, mental health-focused projects that offer children and families hope, connection, and support during the hardest times.
Rebrand
Today, The Murray Parish Trust is rebranding as Imagine This: an inspiring new name designed to capture hearts, inspire hope, and raise the profile of the urgent mental health crisis facing seriously ill children and their families. This fresh identity reflects the charity’s renewed commitment to being more imaginative, accessible, and far-reaching in its mission.
The need for mental health support for these children is immense and growing, and to meet this, Imagine This is positioning itself to scale its projects and extend its reach across the entire UK. With a clear focus on ensuring no seriously ill child or family faces the mental health challenges of serious illness alone, the charity’s mission is to reach every seriously ill child by 2035.
Key Statistics
There are more than one million seriously ill children in the UK. These children, and their families, are significantly more likely to experience poor mental health, facing trauma, anxiety, and isolation, often with little or no emotional support.
Recent research shows that nearly one in five seriously ill children suffer from anxiety, and around one in seven live with depression, rates far higher than those in the general child population.
The emotional toll extends to parents, who are often expected to cope alone. Mothers of seriously ill children are particularly vulnerable, with one in four experiencing anxiety or depression . Fathers, too, frequently report suffering in silence.
Behind these statistics are children missing school, withdrawing from their friends, and struggling to cope with overwhelming diagnoses and medical trauma, without access to the broad, holistic support they urgently need.
From creative therapies to peer connection, tailored emotional care, and safe spaces just to be children, these forms of support can be life-changing, but far too many go without.
“Imagine being told your child has a serious illness, and trying to hold your family together while navigating a world focused almost entirely on their medical care”, says co-founderSarah Parish MBE.
“We know that trauma firsthand, and we know how much more support families need. Without early, meaningful support, the impact on children and their families’ mental health can last a lifetime.
“That’s why Imagine This exists:to help ensure no child or family faces the emotional toll of serious illness alone.
Our vision is for every seriously ill child and their family to have access to the kind of imaginative, empowering support that helps them navigate their journey with connection, resilience, and hope. This new identity marks our commitment to every one of these children and their families.”
The name Imagine This captures both empathy and possibility, a reflection of the daily challenges faced by seriously ill children and their families, and a call to reimagine what meaningful support can look like.
The charity delivers imaginative, diverse and impactful projects, helping families cope with the emotional and psychological toll of serious illness.
These innovative projects include groundbreaking Positivity in Motion – dance, music and yoga therapy delivered in partnership with Synergy Dance Outreach, to children at Great Ormond StreetHospital and Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
“This isn’t just a name change,” co-founder Jim Murray MBE adds. “It’s the beginning of a bold, nationwide movement to transform how we support the mental wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families living through the unimaginable.
“Our ambition is clear: by 2035, we aim to reach every seriously ill child in the UK, bringing imaginative and innovative projects to children in hospitals, hospices, and communities across the UK. Imagine This is the only UK charity solely dedicated to this urgent need, and we’re just getting started.”
Professor Lorna Fraser of Palliative Care and Child Health at King’s College London says, “When a child becomes seriously ill, this can impact the entire family.
“Our research shows the impact of serious physical illness on the mental health of the children and their parents, and how difficult it can be to access timely and appropriate support.
“We need to prioritise mental health support – it is an essential component of care for children with serious illness and their families. Imagine this is helping to shift that thinking, and it’s long overdue.”
This milestone also marks the start of an exciting new chapter, with the appointment of Ellie Main as Head of Fundraising and Operations.
Formerly Senior Fundraising Manager at BBC Children in Need, Ellie brings a wealth of experience in strategic growth and nationwide programme delivery, putting Imagine This in a strong position to scale its impact and reach every seriously ill child in the UK by 2035.
Our charity recently released a new Index into the financial wellbeing of older Scots. Across the country, the results were stark, and closer to home they reveal the tough choices many in later life in the Lothian region are being forced to make.
Our data has shown that, shockingly, in the region, 22% of older people have skipped meals in the last year. Just 20% say that the State Pension is enough to cover basic living expenses.
The Scottish Government recently put forward its Programme for Government, and again, despite rising levels of pensioner poverty, there was no proposed plan to tackle this.
At Independent Age, we know urgent action is needed. A pensioner poverty strategy should include a Pension Credit awareness campaign, which is a vital source of support for older people on a low income that a significant number in the region – 18% – do not even know about.
The results of our Index show the unacceptable financial difficulties many older people in the Lothian are experiencing. This must change. Both the UK and Scottish Government must act.
Debbie Horne
Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age
Independent Age is a national charity supporting older people facing financial hardship. You can access advice on money, housing, health and care at independentage.org or through a free helpline on 0800 319 6789.
Upmo, the Edinburgh and Lothians-based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism, is proud to unveil its brand-new electric van—thanks to generous funding from CrossCountry Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF).
The van was revealed on Thursday morning outside Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Wrapped in eye-catching Upmo branding and featuring the CrossCountry logo, the van reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and sustainability.
The fully electric van is already in operation across Edinburgh, Prestonpans and Gorebridge. It supports Upmo’s network of community cafés, gardens, and student-led retail projects, which provide our students with meaningful work experience, practical life skills and increased independence.
Upmo Eat: a network of community cafés where students gain hospitality and catering experience.
Upmo Grow: a gardening initiative focused on wellbeing, food growing, and sustainability.
Upmo Retail: where students design, make, and sell handcrafted products at markets and pop-ups. Products are also available through our online shop.
“We are thrilled to have this electric van active in our community,” said Mark Smith, CEO at Upmo. “Thanks to CrossCountry, we can now deliver our social enterprise services with greater efficiency and do our bit for the environment.”
Helping to reduce carbon emissions by replacing journeys previously made in petrol and diesel vehicles, the new vehicle will be used to:
Deliver Upmo Retail products to markets and partners
Transport produce from Upmo Grow to Upmo Eat cafés and partners
Transport equipment to student events, including musical performances and art exhibitions
Offer student work experience in areas like distribution and customer service
The launch builds on an existing partnership between Upmo and major UK rail operator CrossCountry. In 2023 Upmo Eat cafés received CCIF grant funding, with senior executives from CrossCountry visiting Upmo’s Drumbrae café in March 2024. In April 2024 and again in May this year, Upmo students were invited to take part in a work experience day with the catering team aboard a CrossCountry train from Edinburgh to Newcastle.
“Our relationship with CrossCountry shows what’s possible when partnerships go beyond funding,” added Mark. “Together, we’re delivering real impact—for our students and our community.”
Alex Bray, Stakeholder Liaison Manager at CrossCountry said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with Upmo and sponsor this new electric van.
“It’s fantastic to see how this vehicle will help deliver opportunities for people who are often excluded from traditional employment routes, while also aligning with our commitment to reducing carbon emissions.”
The van is helping Upmo deliver services more efficiently and supports the ongoing growth and sustainability of Upmo’s income-generating social enterprises—helping the organisation support more than 160 young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism across the region.
Look out for the new Upmo van as it makes its rounds in Edinburgh and the Lothians!
Scots with disabilities and health conditions are being urged to check if they’re eligible for financial support worth up to £5,740 a year. The advice comes from the UK’s largest community of unpaid carers ahead of the benefit being made available across Scotland next week.
Pension Age Disability Payment – a benefit aimed at helping disabled people above retirement age cover care costs – is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, with applications opening nationwide tomorrow – Tuesday 22nd April.
Pension Age Disability Payment rates also increased this month, but Scots are at risk of missing out.
Whilst those already claiming Attendance Allowance will automatically be transferred to the new support, an estimated 1 million people are missing out on the outgoing benefit. This puts Scots amongst this group at risk of losing out on Pension Age Disability Payment, too.
The care experts at Mobilise aim to raise awareness of the disability benefit and the difference it could make for Scots missing out, if they check they are eligible and apply.
What is the Pension Age Disability Payment?
Almost half (45%) of people above retirement age in the UK have some form of disability. Pension Age Disability Payment aims to help these individuals cover the cost of care.
The monthly payment is split into two rates, depending on the level of care which is required. Both rates increased on 7th April:
The lower rate (for those who require either day or night care) increased from £72.65 to £73.90 a week – £3,842.80 a year, in total
The higher rate (for those who require both day and night care, and those who are terminally ill) increased from £108.55 to £110.40 a week – £5,740.80 a year, in total
Who is eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment?
To be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payments, you must meet certain criteria, including:
Be of state pension age (66) or over
Have a disability or health condition (you can still apply if you’re waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis)
Have required care for at least six months (you can also apply before this point, as payments will begin six months from when successful applicants’ care needs started)
If you live in a care home and your care is funded by the local authority, you are unlikely to be eligible. However, if your care is privately funded, you may still apply.
How to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment
From 22nd April, anyone who believes they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment can apply – either online using myaccount or via the post. Postal applications can be started by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is a separate fast-track application process for those who are terminally ill.
If you already receive Attendance Allowance you do not need to apply as you will automatically be moved to Pension Age Disability Payments.
There are two parts to the application form. You will need certain information to hand to complete each part and must submit these within 2 weeks and 8 weeks respectively, or contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time.
Details about the information required is available here. A loved one or carer can also help you complete the application form.
What support is available for carers?
It’s not just people that need care who are eligible for support. If you look after a loved one, you could also be entitled to help from the Government.
Carer Support Payment is the main benefit available to carers living in Scotland, and comes in the form of monthly payments. As with Pension Age Disability Payments, the rate increased this month. From April, Carer Support Payments are rising from £81.90 to £83.30 a week – £4331.60 a year, in total.
To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must meet a number of requirements. You can check if you’re eligible using Mobilise’s free claim checker tool. If you’re entitled to Carer Support Payment, you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in-person. See the Scottish Government’s website for full details.
For more guidance on the financial support available to people with care needs and unpaid carers, care experts are on hand to help via the Mobilise website.
Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town was set up to ensure that everyone, no matter their experience or their background, gets the opportunity to access life-changing activities in the arts.
Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, the organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches 2,000 local young people every year through youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors helping to develop the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.
Across all the charity’s activities, Strange Town creates high quality work that is daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, knife crime and climate change anxiety.
The organisation tours local schools with educational performances that spark discussion, debate and often provides local young people with their first experience of a theatrical performance.
This week the charity’s Young Company (18-25) returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre after their sold out shows there last year. ‘The Dark Up Close’ by local writer Jack MacGregor has been specially commissioned for Strange Town’s Young Company.
Open to everyone age 12+ the play will run for two nights Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March.
‘Two teenagers digging graves, an island full of conscripts and puffins, the guns are silent on the eve of World War III.
‘These are scenes from a near future Britain, a country in crisis, with national service reinstated for all young people. The old world is dying, and the new world has been delayed indefinitely.’
Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR
Arts activities enrich lives, but organisations such as Strange Town are seriously under-funded, and the future is uncertain. Strange Town relies on its fundraising activities to deliver fully accessible activities for local young people.
Funders include the Backstage Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Cordis Trust, Crerar Trust and others.
The charity also runs the 15for15 fundraising initiative where local people can donate monthly to support their life-changing work.
As the dust settles on the Men’s Six Nations and anticipation builds for the Women’s Six Nations, the Lions Tour, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, there’s never been a better time to celebrate rugby’s power to unite and inspire.
Rugby isn’t just about the game—it’s about community, resilience, and making a difference. That’s exactly what Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has been doing since 1983.
This National Wooden Spoon Day, on 19th March, we invite rugby fans and communities across the UK and Ireland to come together, honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon.
Whether you’re passing a rugby ball, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. Let’s turn our passion for rugby into a force for good..
Get ready to join the celebration as National Wooden Spoon Day takes place on 19th March, marking the anniversary of Wooden Spoon’s founding in 1983. This special day is a chance to honour the rich history and incredible impact of Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to supporting children with disabilities or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland.
Wooden Spoon’s supporters, beneficiaries, and the wider rugby community are coming together to raise awareness and funds in a fun and meaningful way. We are inviting all to get involved. Whether you choose to host a fundraising event, take part in a rugby match, wear Wooden Spoon colours, or simply spread the word on social media, every action – big or small – makes a difference!
How You Can Get Involved
There are countless ways to celebrate #WoodenSpoonDay and show your support:
Post on Social Media: Either using the National wooden Spoon Day graphics or getting involved with The Pass the ball campaign
Organise a Mufti Day or Wooden Spoon Decorating Competition: A fun way for children to participate while raising funds.
Host a Fundraising Event: Plan a charity lunch, bake sale, or raffle to support the cause.
Wear Wooden Spoon Colours: Show solidarity and spread awareness by donning Wooden Spoon-themed outfits.
Join the ‘Pass the Ball’ Social Media Campaign: Take part in the viral movement kicking off on the 19th March
Donate to Wooden Spoon
Recent impact : Sensory room at Murrayfield Stadium
In February 2025, a new sensory room was officially opened at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh by HRH, The Princess Royal.
Funded by a £9,000 grant from Wooden Spoon Edinburgh, this facility provides a quieter, supportive space for rugby fans and concertgoers who may feel overwhelmed by the passionate atmosphere at Scotland’s largest stadium.
Scottish Rugby introduced this dedicated sensory space to ensure that everyone, including individuals with sensory sensitivities, can enjoy events in a comfortable and inclusive environment.
Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, encourages everyone to take part: “National Wooden Spoon Day is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together and make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage.
“Whether you’re passing a rugby ball, hosting an event, or simply spreading the word, every action helps us continue our mission. Join us on 19th March and be part of something truly special.”
Make Some Noise for Wooden Spoon!
With your help, we can make National Wooden Spoon Day bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts and use #WoodenSpoonDay to spread the word.
The team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline has delivered products worth £2,500 to Scot Baby Box Appeal.
The Scot Baby Box Appeal supports families with newborns in Ukraine. The charity distributes pre-loved baby boxes filled with essential items, alongside supplies for relief efforts and other critical necessities, helping to ensure that every newborn has a safe and nurturing start.
A group of 92 employees from Amazon in Dunfermline packed and delivered the sorted pallets to the charity’s hub in Coatbridge. The donation included essential items such as toiletries, clothing and drinks.
Alongside the delivery of pallets, seven employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline volunteered at the charity’s warehouse to support with the team’s sortation and space management support to ensure safe and efficient working conditions for the staff and volunteers at Scot Baby Box Appeal.
The charity has been supported by Amazon since 2022, with the fulfilment centre team in Dunfermline making donations and volunteering for almost three years.
Speaking on the donation, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “The team at Scot Baby Box Appeal provides excellent support to families across Scotland and Ukraine.
“Amazon in Dunfermline has a longstanding relationship with the team at Scot Baby Box Appeal and we’re pleased to contribute once again to the efforts of the staff and volunteers with this donation.”
Christina Watson, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline who took part in the kitting event, said: “I’m pleased that I can take part in supporting the charity for a second time this year and I can’t wait to see the relationship between Amazon Dunfermline and Scot Baby Box grow even further.”
Gail Maguire, from Scot Baby Box Appeal, added: “Thank you to Jamie and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their continued support with this donation. Their help is always greatly appreciated, especially on the run up to Christmas.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need.
The Multibank network has now donated more than 3 million surplus goods to over 400,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, and London.
Amazon has supported more than 700,000 students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
