As we all mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the RAF Benevolent Fund is working to highlight the role of the many who each played a critical part in securing victory.
Many of them lived and worked in Scotland, home to not just airfields but also other critical installations such as radar. Others in the region may recall seeing the dogfights in the skies during that summer of 1940.
To pay tribute to all those who worked towards victory, we created a poignant light show projected onto two radar sites with images of a range of RAF personnel from air crew to radar operators. These help remind us of the many who supported the few, not just during the Second World War, but right up to the present day.
The RAF Benevolent Fund is there for the many – anyone who has EVER served in the RAF. We have a duty to support them in their time of need. We all have a last chance to do our duty, just as they did theirs, by giving them and their families the support they deserve.
In 2019, the RAF Benevolent Fund spent more than £400,000 supporting 196 beneficiaries in Scotland – but we know there are thousands more veterans out there in need of assistance.
Given the important role the RAF has played in the recent heritage of the region, we ask your readers to think if they know of any RAF veterans or their partners who may be in need of our support, particularly during this difficult time. We can help them in so many ways.
To find out more or let us know of someone we might be able to help, please visit www.rafbf.org.
With the re-opening of schools, many children are facing two significant challenges. Firstly, the need to adapt to a new physical and social environment, to ensure their complete safety and protection against the continued threat of Coronavirus. Secondly many children have been out of full-time education for months, and now need to play catch up as they enter the next academic year.
However, some educational focused organisations have not put their pupils through the challenge of playing catch up; ensuring safe, continued and full-time education for their children throughout the last few months.
Once such organisation is the charity World Villages for Children. Their focus is on educating the world’s poorest children; ensuring they have the necessary skills to get out of, and remain out of poverty.
With education being the only means for thousands of the charity’s children to permanently escape their lives of poverty; it was absolutely crucial that the schools remained capable of continuing to educate the children and keep them safe.
During the last few months, the charity has achieved a remarkable feat by ensuring that over 20,000 of its children in over 13 schools have continued to have a full-time education in a 100% safe environment.
Not a single child or staff member during this time has been affected by Covid nor taken ill and this is completely down to the environment that has been created within the schools. As a result, all the children from the ages of11-18 have been able to carry on with their full-time studies and recreational activities safely.
Measures that World Villages for Children havesupported at the Sisters of Mary schools include:
The use of efficient technology and proficient co-ordination to ensure that all 20,000 children have continued their lessons via conference call with their teachers
Utilising the skills of the most senior students as ‘student teachers’ to not only boost their skills but also keep the younger year groups on track with the curriculum
Running exams as usual with the help of exam texts set by the teachers remotely and marked by them remotely
The few teachers who have come back into the schools (mainly in the Philippines) have been temperature checked daily to check the state of their health
Regular temperature testing of children within the school
Family grouping of the children at school and comprehensive mask use over the last five months so children have had a chance to get used to the process
If you are interested to find out more, the Head of the U.K. World Villages for Children, Nicola Lawson is able to discuss with you:
Why it is crucial that the charity keeps its schools open – as this is the children’s only means of getting themselves educated and out of poverty
How they have continued to run all 13 schools with zero risk during this crisis
How they will continue to ensure the children’s education is not disrupted moving forwards (should we have another significant global outbreak)
How they have minimised disruption to the children’s social and physical interactions
How the pupils themselves have rallied together within the schools to make hundreds of face masks for their community members at large
Ben Nevis victory for seven year old boy with cerebral palsy
Caeden Thomson (7) from Corby in Northamptonshire has conquered Ben Nevis to raise money for disability equality charity Scope and his local hospital.
The climb in total took 13.5 hours up and down.
Mum Lisa, who along with Caeden’s brother, sister and dad were with him every step of the way, said: “Caeden is an absolute legend. We started at 9am and reached the top at 5.30pm – and got back to the bottom at 10.30pm.
“It was such a massive challenge and much, much harder than any of us expected. There were many hard time along the way – from three quarters of the way up the pathway is just massive boulders and very hard to climb, and even at the top we didn’t think he would make it down.
“There were danger areas where carrying was very difficult, so Caeden did have to walk down a lot of it too. The temperature dropped hugely and many climbers said they were turning back. But we made it!
“We are all super proud of him, he deserves a medal! People we have spoken to at the campsite said they climbed it once and they will never climb it again – we now know why! Last night no-one could move or celebrate, so today we are resting up and will celebrate tonight!! We all love Caeden so much and can’t believe his passion for getting to the top.”
Caeden said: “My body hurts a lot but I’m ok! It was really, really hard! I felt sick and exhausted at the top, and I felt exhausted but happy at the bottom!”
Money raised will give back to the NHS Children’s services and the physiotherapy department at Kettering General Hospital and disability equality charity Scope.
Recent research from the Disabled Children’s Partnership found that 66% of families with disabled children in Scotland have been providing a lot more care during lockdown and many continue to do so despite restrictions easing.
The current national emergency has compounded the challenges many parents of disabled children faced. And added layers of new ones as respite, therapies, care and schooling arrangements were largely stopped or changed and usual routines disrupted.
Contact, the charity for families with disabled children, is offering a helping hand to families in Edinburgh during this difficult time.
Family support appointments
We’ve launched free 1-1 telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for a listening ear, reassurance and practical and emotional support.
Workshops
We are running free virtual workshops on topics such as sleep, behaviour, wellbeing, money matters, and speech and language, to provide additional support for families who may be struggling during this crisis.
DETERMINED fundraisers across Scotland’s capital are set to unite against cancer by taking part in a special Race for Life weekend this September.
Organisers Cancer Research UK cancelled all 400 mass participation events in 2020 to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 outbreak. This included the Race for Life 5K and 10K at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on June 21 and the Pretty Muddy obstacle race scheduled for September 12 at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, as well as earlier May events at Hopetoun House, South Queensferry.
The charity is expecting a staggering £160 million drop in income in the year ahead with a £44 million cut to life-saving research funding already in 2020.
Now to help tackle the devastating loss, undeterred women and men are vowing to raise funds by completing their own Race for Life 5K in their nearest green space on Saturday September 26th. They plan to take part outdoors either alone or in small, socially distanced groups – but all on the same day – to help people with cancer.
Supporters can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for a “Very 2020 Race for Life”.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “COVID-19 has made the fight against cancer even harder.
“With around 32,200 people diagnosed with the disease every year in Scotland,* we will never stop striving to create better treatments and to ensure people affected by cancer get the support they need. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need people to join us for a Very 2020 Race for Life.
“Vital cancer research has been delayed this year. Even though we have to Race for Life differently in 2020, nothing’s going to stop us running, walking and jogging to raise money and help beat cancer.
“Whatever the hurdle, we’ll keep going and we’d urge as many people as possible across Edinburgh to join in on September 26th. People can set off from their home to complete 5k their way that day. Things haven’t gone to plan for any of us in 2020. This is going to be a very 2020 Race for Life but together we will still beat cancer.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5K, 10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Thanks to the generosity of people across the city, participants in Edinburgh last year raised £339,694 to support vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer – a disease that will affect one in two people in the UK at some stage in their lives.
A live broadcast on the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook page at 9.30am on Saturday September 26th will include an energiser from a fitness expert as well as inspirational messages of support from people who have been through cancer.
Participants are then invited to set off on their own Race for Life. Organisers are also inviting participants to share photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #Very2020RaceForLife.
Cancer Research UK’s work in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years. The charity currently funds around 50 per cent of all publicly funded cancer research in the UK. However, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, promising projects which could have the big answers to cancer are being held up.
Lisa Adams said: “Cancer is still happening right now and we won’t let 2020 stop us.Whether people are taking part in Race for Life this September in their local park or even in their back garden, they’ll be united by a determination to beat cancer together.
“At a time when we’re having to keep apart from each other, there is still a way to unite. We’re urging everyone who has got behind Race for Life in the past to please continue supporting us. Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some time and we want to do everything we can to help give people more tomorrows with their loved ones.”
Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies entirely on the public’s generous support. The charity was able to spend over £8 million in Edinburgh and over £42 million in Scotland last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
Visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770. Join in and share with #Very2020RaceForLife
20,000 children who have been lifted out of poverty celebrate their birthdays in world’s largest one day celebration of its kind
World Villages for Children, a UK charity that works to lift children out of poverty through education, has announced the launch of the world’s largest single birthday celebration for over 20,000 of the children in its care.
The event, named ‘Every Child’s birthday’ will take place Saturday August 15th across six countries globally, and will mark the birthdays of some of the world’s poorest children; many of whom don’t have the luxury of knowing their own birthdates.
World Villages for Children has been supporting the poverty relief programmes of the Sisters of Mary since 1998 and its mission is to lift the world’s children out of extreme poverty and into an independent and secure future, through education.
So far over 150,000 of children have been housed, cared for and educated by the programmes, with over 20,000 children aged between 11-18 still currently in their care. This celebration marks a significant and special moment in the calendar year for the children, as without it, many would not have the experience of celebrating their own birthday.
Nicola Lawson, U.K. Manager & Trustee, World Villages for Children comments: “When the world’s poorest children come into our care, many of them have sadly suffered the numerous hardships that accompany extreme poverty. They are often severely malnourished and affected by early years of neglect and abuse, leaving them significantly under-developed.
“But they also suffer in less obvious ways. Most have missed out on the luxuries of childhood; such as playing, making friends and celebrating the milestones that so many of us take for granted – like birthdays.
“The majority of children that come to us don’t know their birthdays, and many don’t know their ages, and so our Every Child’s birthday event ensures that all 20,000 of our children get to have this very special experience’’.
With the support of World Villages for Children’s donors and the Sisters of Mary, this global event is celebrated through a lesson-free day, games, sports, competitions and a party with cake at each of the six schools worldwide. Each and every one of the 20,000 children also receives an individually wrapped essential gift.
Kiltwalkers have been urged to don some tartan and take part in a weekend-long virtual version of the Edinburgh event after this year’s walk was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.
The Big Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend will take place between September 11-13.
Participants are being challenged to get active, whilst adhering to social distancing measures, and raise much-needed funds for charities of their choice.
Every pound raised will be topped up by a 50% donation from The Hunter Foundation.
In 2020 so far, Kiltwalkers and The Hunter Foundation have raised and distributed £2.5 million, including £600,000 raised by a virtual version of the Dundee Kiltwalk.
It has also been confirmed that the Glasgow and Aberdeen Kiltwalks, which were postponed amid lockdown, can no longer go ahead, with participants being encouraged to join the Big Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend in September instead.
In a new video message, Sir Tom Hunter told Kiltwalkers that their kindness is needed more than ever. Many charities are struggling to survive after losing income to COVID-19.
Sir Tom said: “We can’t all get together, but we’re going to go virtual. We tried it in Dundee and it was a fantastic success.
“You can walk, swim, bounce on your space hopper – do whatever you want, for the charity of your choice. If ever there was a time when the folk who need our help need it most, it is now. So, put on a wee bit of tartan and get involved, get together, and get into the Kiltwalk spirit.”
A beautiful new film about the charity Mary’s Meals, featuring Gerard Butler, has just been released. Love Reaches Everywhere sees the Hollywood actor visiting schools in Liberia and Haiti in the 30-minute feature.
Mary’s Meals normally serves nutritious meals in schools, attracting impoverished children to the classroom where they can gain an education that will one day be their ladder out of poverty. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have developed safe methods of distribution which allow almost all the children who normally enjoy our meals to eat at home instead.
Love Reaches Everywhere shows Gerard, who has starred in films such as 300 and P.S. I Love You, immersing himself in community life – teaching a maths lesson, planting crops in a school garden, carrying water from a local well, and even sharing acting tips with some children.
It is available to watch for free now at marysmeals.org.uk/lovereacheseverywhere. I hope it will be a tonic for your readers at this uncertain time, showing the difference donations made here in the UK can make to little ones living in some of the world’s poorest countries – and proving that love really does reach everywhere.
Generous customers at the stores in Edinburgh have already raised over £42,000** for NHS Charities Together during this unprecedented time through a range of fundraising activity
A new in-store rainbow display will update customers on their fundraising total each week throughout the summer
This weekend, colleagues and customers at M&S stores in Edinburgh will be taking part in the one-off Clap for Carers to mark the 72nd birthday of the NHS, supported by the founder of the initiative and NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens.
Ahead of the weekend, teams at stores in Edinburgh have installed a new display to share with customers just how generous the local community has been during this unprecedented time.
The in-store display (above) shows how much M&S customers at stores in Edinburgh have donated through a range of activity including shopping M&S’s Rainbow sale (where 10% of each purchase is donated to NHS Charities Together), buying the limited edition NHS Charities Together Bag for Life in the Edinburgh Foodhalls, purchasing M&S’s All in This Together T-shirts (pictured on Holly Willoughby and son below) and making one-off donations at the till points.
This fundraising total is already over £42,000.
Customers can continue to get involved in lots of ways including selecting NHS Charities Together as their Sparks charity (M&S’s loyalty scheme) meaning M&S donates on their behalf every time they shop in any store or online.
M&S Edinburgh Princes Street Store Manager, Jenny Mcpartlin and her team will be updating the accumulator each Monday.
Jenny said: “The past few months have been challenging for all of us, but one thing that’s been amazing is seeing people rally together. We’re very proud that our community has already helped raise over £42,000 for a really important cause that will provide vital support to NHS staff, volunteers, and patients.
“Clothes shopping is different now and as customers are coming back and starting to shop with confidence it’s really lovely that the first thing they’ll see when they enter our stop is a display that shows the generosity and kindness of the local community.”
Ellie Orton, CEO, NHS Charities Together said,““I can’t thank M&S customers enough, the money you have raised is making a huge difference for the NHS staff and volunteers who have been there for all of us during the Covid crisis.
“I’d urge all of you to come together with friends, family and neighbours for a moment of thanks on 5 July, so we can show appreciation for everyone who has been there for others over the last few challenging months.”
Hearts & Minds is delighted and excited to announce that Gavin Oattes will be their new Ambassador.
Gavin is an award-winning entrepreneur, International keynote speaker and bestselling author. Based in Edinburgh his motivational talks are about happiness, kindness, empathy, playfulness and laughter – all values shared with the work of Hearts & Minds and the Clowndoctor & Elderflower Programmes.
His latest book Life Will See You Now has become a bestseller during this pandemic and is helping people get through lockdown. A former primary school teacher, he has the ability to get into the heads of kids and in his bestseller, Diary of a Brilliant Kid: Top Secret Guide to Awesomeness, co-written with Andy Cope & Will Hussey, they have created a ‘tweenagers’ atlas to life!
To launch the partnership with Gavin, Hearts & Minds Clowndoctors have taken his wonderfully funny short story for children, Pumpy Bee – and made it their own. This filmed short will be used in the future in the hospitals, hospices and schools for children with complex needs that the Clowndoctors visit.
Gavin Oattes said: “It’s an honour to have been asked to be an ambassador for such a wonderful charity.
“I love everything Hearts & Minds stand for and I can’t wait to get stuck in and help make a bigger difference”
Rebecca Simpson, CEO of Hearts & Minds said: “I am overjoyed to announce Gavin Oattes as an Ambassador for Hearts & Minds. Gavin’s passion, energy and enthusiasm for life are a perfect fit for us.
“His books teach us the importance of self-belief, kindness and laughter, all of which are embodied in the work that we do through therapeutic Clowning. I personally love his books and Diary of a Brilliant Kid: Top Secret Guide to Awesomeness is one of my daughter’s favourites. I am excited to develop the relationship between Gavin and Hearts & Minds, knowing that whatever we do there will be plenty of smiles, happiness and energy.
WATCH/ENJOY PUMPY BEE as told by the Clowndoctors!
