Tag: charity

Social Bite’s Sleep in the Park raises £500,000 in only three weeks

Social Bite’s Sleep in the Park initiative has raised over £500,000 in only three weeks.  The social business is on an ambitious mission to work with others to end homelessness in Scotland within five years (see below), and more than 2,000 people have already pledged to sleep out at the Sleep in the Park event in Princes Street Gardens on December 9th.

Fifteen families have also signed up to offer a spare room and 28 companies are offering job opportunities to homeless people.

Up to ten thousand people are expected to ‘sleep rough’at the event, which has been billed ‘Live Aid for Scottish Homelessness’. Attractions include:

  • Live concert featuring ‘buskers’ Liam Gallagher, Deacon Blue, Amy Macdonald and Frightened Rabbit. all playing rare stripped back acoustic sets.
  • Sir Bob Geldof will be sleeping out and supporting the event
  • Comedy legend John Cleese to tell a bedtime story to top fundraisers

Social Bite has set a fundraising target of £4m and is looking to generate 1,000 employment offers and 1,000 ‘spare room’ supported lodging pledges.

To register to participate, go to sleepinthepark.co.uk

Sleep in the Park_Booklet

 

Volunteer opportunities with Barnardo’s

The school holidays are well and truly over, some children started school for the first time and for others school, college and university life is a thing of the past. And at the other end of the spectrum, planning for retirement is front of mind – But all of these life changes have one thing in common – opportunity!

Barnardo’s Scotland is offering volunteering opportunities in their 100+ shops across the country.  Whether you’re dipping your toe back in to the workplace; want to make good use of extra hours; share your experience or looking for a change of direction, Barnardo’s Scotland would love to hear from you.

The charity currently has volunteers nationwide from all walks of life, ages and abilities, but is keen to recruit more people willing to donate their time.

Deriel Watt, area business manager for Barnardo’s Scotland shops in Edinburgh is keen to hear from people willing to volunteer in one of the seven shops across the city including shops in Leith, Meadowbank, East Craigs or Stockbridge.

She said: “Volunteers are crucial to us.  Volunteers are vital to running our business; in fact we simply couldn’t exist without them. They are an important part of our success and are an integral part of Barnardo’s Scotland.

“Volunteers can gain valuable experience and a lot of enjoyment out of joining their local store team.”

Volunteers get involved for many reasons – to support Barnardo’s Scotland’s work and cause; to do something unusual and inspiring or to learn new skills and improve their CV. It is also an opportunity to meet new people.

Billy Farrell, retail volunteer manager, said:  “Volunteering is fun and rewarding. It can also be a stepping stone to a new career and help you to gain the skills you need for a new role or job. Depending on a person’s interests and skills, Barnardo’s Scotland can find the right volunteering opportunity to suit you.”

*Barnardo’s Shop at 150 Leith Walk is holding a volunteering networking evening on Thursday 28 September.

All Barnardo’s volunteers are given full training and support. If you are interested in volunteering in a shop, please ring 07768 707 384 for details of your nearest store or go to www.barnardos.org.uk/volunteering.

There’s still time to sign up for tomorrow’s Kiltwalk

The final rallying cry for Kiltwalkers went off with a bang when charities gathered at the One o’clock gun at Edinburgh castle. Kiltwalk CEO Paul Cooney was joined by representatives from ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity and ENABLE Scotland to make sure Sunday’s Kiltwalk goes off with a bang! Continue reading There’s still time to sign up for tomorrow’s Kiltwalk

Closure-threatened Kindred launches fundraising appeal

 

An Edinburgh based charity that has helped to transform the lives of children with disabilities and other complex needs by supporting their families for over 25 years has launched a major fundraising appeal to prevent its doors from closing. Led by parents of children with disabilities, Kindred delivers an invaluable service for families of severely ill and/or disabled children in Scotland, providing help, support and advocacy in stressful situations where parents often don’t know where to turn. Continue reading Closure-threatened Kindred launches fundraising appeal

Charlie Miller: Hair raising funds for SANDS Lothian!

FIVE hairdressers, one trainee, a maintenance technician and a PR and marketing manager were delighted to recently team up as the ‘Charlie Miller Hair Angels’ and show off their speed and agility at It’s A Knockout Edinburgh 2017 to raise funds for SANDS Lothians. Continue reading Charlie Miller: Hair raising funds for SANDS Lothian!

Scotmid’s life-saving support for Samaritans

https://youtu.be/YJ1mmb_ZebQ

Scotmid Co-operative and Samaritans have announced the beginning of the year-long partnership, which aims to raise £300,000 as well as recruit local volunteers and raise vital awareness for the charity. Continue reading Scotmid’s life-saving support for Samaritans

Scottish SPCA invite you to Animal Week Open Day

The Scottish SPCA is delighted to invite animal lovers in the Edinburgh area to their centre on Mansfield Road, Balerno on Sunday 10th September to celebrate their tenth annual Scottish Animal Week. Scotland’s animal welfare charity will have a number of events on at the centre on the day including £10 microchipping and a raffle, which includes prizes from Petplanet, Calzeat and more! Continue reading Scottish SPCA invite you to Animal Week Open Day

Cash for Kids boost for PYCP

Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) will be cooking with gas following a £4700 donation from Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids. The local youth organisation provides vital services to the area’s young people and plans to use the money to develop kitchen facilities at the Greenhouse. Continue reading Cash for Kids boost for PYCP