Tag: charity

Record breaking Mission Christmas helps thousands of local children

More than 20,500 children across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife will wake up to a Christmas present, thanks to the generosity of thousands of people throughout the region. This year’s Mission Christmas campaign, organised by Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids, has broken new records, with £1.1 million raised in gift and cash donations over the last six weeks. Continue reading Record breaking Mission Christmas helps thousands of local children

Letters: Marie Curie support at Christmas

Dear Editor

Christmas is a precious time for many families, but even more so for many of your readers who may be cherishing every moment they get to spend with a beloved family member living with a terminal illness.

Marie Curie will be supporting nearly 800 people living with a terminal illness in Scotland over Christmas. Across the UK, more than one million people are expected to be supporting a loved one, while facing the possibility that this could be their last together.

Caring for someone at home can be a very rewarding but also an isolating experience. For some, it will be the first Christmas without their mum, dad, husband, wife or partner, which can also be a very difficult time.

People often say that they don’t know where to turn to and don’t know what help is available to them, which is why I am writing to tell you about our free, confidential Support Line

0800 090 2309

which offers practical information and emotional support about any aspect of terminal illness, as well as offering bereavement support too.

To help everyone who may need us during the festive period, our Support Line will be open from Sunday 24 December – Tuesday 2 January.

Support Line open hours:

24 December (10am-4pm)

25-26 December (10am-2pm)

27-29 December (8am-6pm)

30 December (11am-5pm)

31 December (10am -4pm)

1 January (10am-2pm)

2 January (8am-6pm).

Additionally, our trained Support Line Officers are also on hand to offer support via our online chat service at mariecurie.org.uk/support.

With best wishes,

Eamon O’Kane,

Marie Curie Divisional General Manager Caring Services

Marie Curie Hospice, Glasgow. Balornock Road, Glasgow G21 3US

 

Great Stuff! Students donate Christmas stockings to local children

A group of Edinburgh College students have been busy stuffing stockings full of gifts to deliver to local children in time for Christmas. The Entry to Learning students undertook The Great Stocking Stuff in aid of Children 1st Hardengreen to provide gifts to local children who may otherwise receive very little at Christmas time. Continue reading Great Stuff! Students donate Christmas stockings to local children

Can Do: Volunteering opportunities help our young disabled people thrive

Young disabled people in Edinburgh are thriving after gaining valuable skills, thanks to new volunteering opportunities from Leonard Cheshire Disability. Continue reading Can Do: Volunteering opportunities help our young disabled people thrive

One in five employers less likely to employ a disabled person

More than a fifth of employers say they would be less likely to employ someone if they have a disability, research commissioned by the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity has found. The shocking findings of a nationally representative survey of UK employers starkly reveal the serious discrimination and stereotypical views faced by disabled people when they try to get and stay in jobs. Continue reading One in five employers less likely to employ a disabled person

Renowned disability rights campaigner joins Leonard Cheshire

JUDY HEUMANN JOINS LEONARD CHESHIRE DISABILITY 

 

Judy Heumann, the renowned disability rights campaigner, is to join Leonard Cheshire Disability as a global ambassador. An architect of the disability rights movement and long term campaigner for equality and human rights, Judy will promote and share the values of the organisation internationally.  Continue reading Renowned disability rights campaigner joins Leonard Cheshire

Letters: Lonely this Christmas

Dear Editor

Many people with the chronic, neurological condition M.E. tell us they feel very lonely and isolated at this time of year, particularly those who live alone with no family or friends to share the festivities with. A visit, phone call or simply a thoughtful card from a friend could make a positive difference – so if you know someone with M.E., let them know you are thinking of them this festive season.
If you have M.E. and you need information and support, call us on 0117 927 9551 (we’re here until 4pm on 22 December, and re-open on 3 January), or join one of our friendly online forums, open 24/7. You can also read advice from Rose, who has M.E., in her article on coping with Christmas alone at www.actionforme.org.uk/alone-at-xmas
Sonya Chowdhury
Chief Executive
Action for M.E.
42 Temple Street,
Keynsham BS31 1EH

Free exercise classes for women from Scotland’s most ethnically diverse community

Women in the most ethnically diverse part of Scotland have been enjoying free weekly exercise classes and healthy heart lessons thanks to a locally raised £5,000 Heart Research UK and Subway® Healthy Heart Grant. Continue reading Free exercise classes for women from Scotland’s most ethnically diverse community