ProjectScotland celebrates ten years of supporting young Scots

5000 young people and 540 charities say: ‘Happy Birthday!’

ProjectScotland, the charity which helps young people to get on in life through volunteering, has marked its 10^thbirthday with Annabelle Ewing MSP and revealed the impact of their efforts since forming in 2005.

The charity has announced that since 2005 they have supported over 5000 young people across Scotland who have given more than three million volunteering hours to over 540 charities and not-for-profit organisations.

The charity revealed research that demonstrates the life-long impact of volunteering on its young people. 78% of ProjectScotland volunteers go on to employment, education, or training within 6 months, and 93% of volunteers said the experience had an impact on their long-term career and life choices.

To kick off the celebrations Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing attended Falkland Palace, a National Trust for Scotland property which is one of the ProjectScotland’s biggest partners, to meet past and present volunteers and ProjectScotland’s CEO, Paul Reddish.

The visit marks the start of a year of celebrations for the charity which will reflect on the young people, charities and communities who have been supported through volunteering with ProjectScotland.

Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment, Annabelle Ewing (above)said: “I would like to congratulate ProjectScotland on their achievements over the last ten years.

“ProjectScotland plays a key role helping to improve the prospects and aspirations of young people across Scotland, recognising the importance of developing young people and that it is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.”

Paul Reddish, CEO of ProjectScotland, said: “At ProjectScotland we aim to help give young people structure, experience and the confidence to find work that matches their aspirations, talent and skills. The results of the last ten years prove we are making great strides supporting young people into brighter futures and we are extremely proud of our work to date.

“Scotland has led the way in the UK, with a supportive Government that has youth employment right at the forefront of its priorities and policies, but there is still much to be done particularly in tackling underemployment of talented young people in low paid work and supporting those furthest from the job market. For our tenth birthday we’re taking time to reflect and celebrate and also very much looking to the future and the work that still needs done.”

For further information on ProjectScotland please visit www.projectscotland.co.uk

Women urged to get on their bikes to support people affected by cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support is calling on women in Edinburgh to sign up and take part in Scotland’s biggest women only bike ride. This year the Macmillan Cycletta Scotland returns to Scone Palace, near Perth, on Sunday 19 July and as the event’s official charity partner Macmillan hopes to raise much needed funds to support people locally affected by cancer.

Macmillan Cycletta is the UK’s leading series of women only bike rides. Taking place on marshalled country roads, with distances of 20, 50, 100 and 150km to choose from at Scone, it’s a fabulous day out and a great chance for women to get together.

There are medical, mechanical and treat stops along the route, a Recovery Zone at the finish, and lots for supporters to see and do in the grounds of Scone Palace where parking is free. The day’s fun also includes the LittleLife Scootathlon, a mini fun triathlon for children aged 4 – 8.

Edinburgh Fundraising Manager, Jayne Forbes said: “Macmillan believes that nobody should face cancer alone and that’s why we’re calling on all women to join Team Macmillan and help us raise as much money as possible at this year’s Cycletta Scotland. Whether you haven’t ridden a bike for years or you’re a keen cyclist who’s excited by the new 150km distance, there’s something challenging but achievable for everyone and the stunning Perthshire countryside makes this a wonderful route for all abilities.

“Macmillan is delighted to be the official charity partner of Cycletta and we look forward to welcoming Team Macmillan cyclists as they take part in this fabulous event, encouraging more women to take up cycling.”

There are still places available for Cycletta Scotland, just visit www.macmillan.org.uk/cyclettascotland to register.

The entry fee isn’t included in fundraising so remember to say “yes” to join Team Macmillan when you register to receive your Cycletta fundraising pack and training guide so that you can help change the lives of people affected by cancer.

Getting in shape for marathon charity match

Craig Gowans team plans world record attempt at Spartans

The football season may now be over, but friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk midfielder Craig Gowans have embarked on a gruelling training regime in preparation for their challenge: to break the Guinness World Record for the longest 11-a-side football match!

The mega-match, which will take place from 4 – 8 July at Ainslie Park, home of Spartans FC, will raise money for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation on behalf of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund, a fund set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.

Craig, a former pupil of Daniel Stewarts and Melville College, died during training when a 20ft long pole used for transportable nets came into contact with power lines. Craig, who was 17, had signed his professional contract with the club just two weeks before the accident.

Since the charity was formed in April 2007, it has raised over £80,000, supporting charities such as the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), the Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the Chesney Trust. The fund has also contributed towards building state-of-the-art educational facilities for children and young adults in places such as Malawi.

With each player running the equivalent of at least two marathons every twenty-four hours, the Guinness World Record attempt will be the most demanding challenge to date. The final few months of the training regime, and the attempt in July will be a real test of discipline and commitment for all players involved.

The two 18-man squads hope to raise over £37,000 (Craig’s professional number being 37 at Falkirk). The money raised will be used to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name, a calming room with multi-sensory equipment to provide a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.

The Craig Gowans World Record already has the support of high profile football associations and charities such as the Scottish Football Association, Football Aid, The Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the Hibernian Football Community.

A number of celebrities will also take part in the event, including ex-Scotland boss and current FC Genk Manager, Alex McLeish.

The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Committee is a group of Craig’s school friends, Jonny Wallace, Dario Alonzi, Chris O’Shea and Eoghan Molloy who are working hard to ensure that the event is as successful as it can be and raise as much awareness as possible. The group launched the event at their flagship dinner on 28 March at Stewarts Melville school. The committee have so far raised over £22,000 and are hoping to smash their target.

The teams are looking for more volunteers to get involved in the event, at all levels. Anyone who would like to get involved in the World Record attempt can get in touch through:

the website www.tcggwrm.org

Twitter www.twitter.com/TCGGWRM37

and on Facebook www.facebook.com/TCGGWRM

Donations can be made via JustGiving www.justgiving.com/teams/worldrecord

For more info contact Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com

Step out to support people living with dementia

‘Dementia is a huge, growing health crisis and it isn’t going to go away’ – Anna Devine, Alzheimer Scotland

AS the number of people living with dementia in Scotland continues to rise, Alzheimer Scotland is set to deliver its biggest-ever Memory Walk series in a bid to rally support for people living with dementia in communities across the country.

“There are over 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, and tens of thousands of unpaid carers, often partners and family members, supporting them,” said a spokesperson.

Alzheimer Scotland will hold over 25 Memory Walks in Scotland this autumn to raise vital funds to deliver support services and raise awareness of the discrimination, isolation and stigmatisation faced every day by people living with dementia.

There will be walks from Scalloway in Shetland to Hawick in the Borders –starting late August and finishing in early October.

Anna Devine, director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, said: “Dementia is a huge, growing health crisis and it isn’t going to go away.

“We must rally our caring and compassionate communities across Scotland to be part of our Memory Walks and embrace the message that dementia is everyone’s business.

“It costs Alzheimer Scotland millions every year to deliver vital services across Scotland. To sustain that support as the demand for our services increases, we need to raise more funds and more awareness.”

All funds raised will be used to help pay for vital Alzheimer Scotland dementia services across Scotland such as the 24-hour dementia helpline, dementia advisors, dementia nurses and dementia research.

Funds will also support important local activities, such as Dementia Cafés, support groups, singing and gardening groups.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walks are family friendly and accessible to all, and will be the charity’s primary outdoor fundraiser in 2015.

Memory Walks are also a significant part of Alzheimer Scotland’s campaign to ensure the voices of those living with and caring for people with dementia are heard.

Walks will include memories-themed and family activities and walkers will have the chance to honour loved ones by writing messages on a Memory Wall.

Registration is £10 for adults, £5 for 12-16 year-olds and free for under-12s. We’re asking participants to raise £100 in sponsorship.

Visit www.MemoryWalksScotland.org to find out more and to register.

http://www.memorywalksscotland.org

You’re Not Alone!

Chromosome disorder charity uses social media to ensure to ensure people get the support they need

Social isolation is a huge problem for many parents of disabled children. Throw in a rare chromosome disorder, often a disorder that has no name, just a long, unfathomable code of letters and numbers, and the problem increases.

The everyday challenges which follow, the never-ending worries about the future, constant battles to make professionals and even your friends and family understand, leave parents feely confused and very alone.

To help raise awareness of these issues, Unique is running a Chromosome Disorder Awareness Week from 7 -13 June.

Unique is an UK charity supporting families affected by rare chromosome disorders. A spokesperson explained: “The aim is to spread the word to ensure nobody affected is left feeling isolated and alone.

“Everyone needs their friends around them for support, no one should have to feel so desperately alone and yet hundreds of parents with children affected by a chromosome disorder are facing the hardest time of their lives on their own, being rejected by those they trusted most.”

One ‘Unique mum’ said: “When my son was first diagnosed, friends suddenly stopped contacting me. I would see pictures appear on Facebook of the things they had got up to, things that before that point I had done with them.”

Unique, The Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group, has set up a confidential Facebook group ‘Cafe’ which has grown rapidly to over 3,000 members.

It’s a virtual place where parents can ‘pop in for a cuppa’, vent, ask questions, gain support and also celebrate their child’s achievements.

The Unique spokesperson added: “There is nothing like feeling understood and heard by a community of people who have shared similar experiences.

“It has become a lifeline to parents who feel invisible to the rest of the world, giving them a support network of friends who understand, don’t judge and help them make sense of what is happening to them.

“One mum recently told us: ‘I’ve found that I’ve lost a lot of old friends because they just don’t understand or want to understand my situation. I have made lots of valuable friendships since having my daughter and that’s what counts. The Unique Facebook Cafe group became my lifeline, my access to a wealth of knowledge and my greatest source of support. I soon became friends with three of the mums, we quickly realised we had the same sense of humour and shared a common bond… WE LOVE CAKE! These three women are my bestest, most-treasured and trusted friends!’”

For further information, please contact caroline@rarechromo.org or visit

www.rarechromo.org

Edinburgh Reds go green!

The Edinburgh branch of the Manchester United Supporters Club has raised £1000 from a club raffle for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The branch, founded in 2001 by Peter Wood and Ian McKenzie, organise cost-effective luxury coach travel to United games for Scottish supporters.

Branch Chairman Peter Wood said: “Supporting Macmillan is a no brainer for us. Who hasn’t been touched by cancer? Raising funds is something we can do easily and very readily.”

Ian added: “I am aware of the support and care Macmillan offer as my wife is a nurse. This is an important cause to lots of people and one everyone should support them if they can.”

Macmillan’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager, Jayne Forbes, said: “We couldn’t fund the services we provide without the support of people like the Edinburgh Reds. We support and improve the lives of people affected by cancer by providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support and by pushing for better cancer care. We’d like to thank Reds committee members Peter, Ian, Umeir, Waqqas and Gordon as well as the entire club for their excellent help.”

Sick kids ‘sew’ happy with new bead bags!

Cancer patients at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children got a big surprise recently thanks to the generosity of local volunteers. Hundreds of ‘bead-bags’ hand-sewn by well-wishers have arrived for youngsters on Ward 2 following a call for donations!

The children are taking part in the ‘Beads of Courage’ scheme, an initiative which allows young patients to create a unique record of all the treatments and procedures they’ve been through during their time in hospital, using colourful beads.

In order to keep the beads safe, each child is also given a bead-bag but supplies had been running low.

Jenny Tomes, Clinical Psychologist, explained: “The children like to thread all their beads on to strings to represent all the experiences they have been through in hospital. To give the children somewhere to keep their precious beads safely, they are given a bead bag, a little cloth draw-string bag. We were getting low on supplies and so we put the word out to see if anyone could help.”

Jenny contacted the hospital’s Voluntary Services Manager, Denise Claxton, who set about recruiting some sewing volunteers.

Denise said: “We couldn’t believe it when parcels kept arriving! In the space of a few weeks around 150 bead bags in all different colours and patterns had been sewn and not just by our loyal NHS Lothian volunteers – but also by their friends and families, who were keen to help too.

“We’re really grateful to all those kind people who spent time making the bags so lovingly for the children on Ward 2.”

The ‘Beads of Courage’ programme is run by the charity Be Child Cancer Aware. To find out more visit http://www.bechildcanceraware.org/

Art exhibition at St Columba’s this week

The 29th Annual Art Exhibition by the Art Friends of St Columba’s Hospice is an excellent opportunity to view and maybe even buy some excellent art for this excellent cause. It will take place at the St Columba’s Hospice Education Centre, Boswall Road on:

Friday 5 June 12 noon – 8pm (incl informal drinks reception from 6pm)
Saturday 6 June – 10am – 4pm
Sunday 7 June – 11am – 4pm

More details to be found here
http://www.stcolumbashospicefundraising.org.uk/events/art-exhibition-5-2423.aspx

Lorraine gies it laldy for STV Children’s Appeal!

Lorraine Kelly will be taking to the dance floor in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal this September, as she dons her kilt for a 24 hour ceilidh extravaganza!

After the success of last year’s Shimmy across Scotland which raised £100,000 for the Appeal, the ceilidh challenge will see Lorraine ‘do-si-do-ing’ her way around the country with the support of her friend Maxine Jones and sponsor Optical Express to raise money for children living in poverty across Scotland.

From the Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow to the Pride of Erin Waltz, Lorraine will be getting Scotland moving with 24 hours of ceilidh dancing. Working alongside the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS), Lorraine will be encouraging groups not only in Scotland, but also internationally, to host their own ceilidh events on the 11^th-12^th September to help Scotland’s young people.

Lorraine Kelly, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “Last year I took on a 24 hour shimmy for the Appeal and this year I’ll be putting my dancing shoes back on. Over 24 hours I’ll be challenging myself by taking on a series of ceilidhs to raise money for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty. Maxine and I will be travelling across Scotland in September and also encouraging other groups across the globe to join us and host their own fundraising ceilidhs to help raise as much as possible for this vital cause. It’ll be a challenge to keep going but hopefully with support from fellow dancers around the world, I’ll get through.”

Lorraine’s 24 hour ceilidh will be captured by STV’s cameras for the STV Children’s Appeal programme to be broadcast later this year.

Elizabeth Partyka of the STV Children’s Appeal said: “We are thrilled Lorraine will be embarking on another exciting fundraising challenge this year. With support from local communities, the RSCDS and sponsor Optical Express, we are sure Lorraine’s 24 hour ceilidh will help make a real difference to the lives of children and young people affected by poverty.”

To mark the occasion, the RSCDS have devised a bespoke ceilidh dance for Lorraine – Kelly’s Kaper, with a video and dance instructions available for individuals and groups who want to participate!

Elizabeth Foster, Executive Officer of the RSCDS said: “We are delighted to partner STV Children’s Appeal for 2015. We are pleased to be associated with this worthwhile cause and to play our part in helping to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people in Scotland. In many ways this follows on from the successful Commonwealth Ceilidh in 2014 which saw thousands of people around the globe taking part in one massive ceilidh. With some 14,000 RSCDS members worldwide we expect the STV Children’s Appeal to resonate far beyond Scotland.”

Optical Express will be supporting Lorraine Kelly’s Ceilidh Challenge.

David Moulsdale, Chairman and Chief Executive of Optical Express, said: “We are extremely proud to be increasing the support we provide to the STV Children’s Appeal. Being part of the STV Children’s Appeal is very important to Optical Express. We’ve been involved with the Appeal since it launched back in 2011 because we passionately believe that tackling child poverty in Scotland will help to ensure that young people have the best possible opportunities while growing up.

“We can’t wait to see Lorraine dance her way across the country and we look forward to undertaking our own fundraising challenges throughout our network of Optical Express clinics in Scotland.”

If you’re an individual or group that would like to get involved with Lorraine Kelly’s Ceilidhs in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal and help raise funds for children and young people living in poverty in Scotland, please get in touch with Ami Anderson on ami.anderson@stv.tv.

To support Lorraine’s fundraising challenge and make a donation to the STV Children’s Appeal, visit Lorraine’s JustGiving page on: justgiving.com/KellysCeilidh2015

It’s Showtime!

Local group make a song and dance about charity fundraising

Edinburgh-based theatre group Showcase, which has raised more than £220,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year.

They are staging three performances of their production ‘Showcase 25’ this weekend in the King’s Theatre when they hope to take the total raised to a show-stopping £250,000.

The group, which has performed in the Church Hill Theatre every year since 1990, with all profits going to Macmillan, boast a wide repertoire of songs and styles.

Director Andy Johnston said: “Showcase is an enormously talented group of singers and dancers – there is literally no musical style they can’t conquer. In the past they have tackled everything from Led Zeppelin to the Sound of Music, all performed in the trademark ‘big choral’ Showcase sound.”

Showcase President Susan Galloway added: “We like to think of ourselves as one big family. And we genuinely believe that every person that walks through the door of the theatre and buys a ticket to one of our shows is contributing – they’re helping make a difference to someone’s life. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the reason we exist.”

Macmillan’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager Jayne Forbes said: “The support that Showcase has given Macmillan is nothing short of astounding. We are so grateful to them and everyone who goes along to their shows.

“We help people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis, none of which would be possible without the support of people in Edinburgh. This is a really special anniversary for Showcase, and I’d urge local people to go along to a show. You are guaranteed an entertaining few hours, safe in the knowledge your ticket money is supporting a wonderful cause.”

Showcase 25 takes place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May (matinee and evening performance) in the King’s Theatre. Tickets are from £15 and available from www.edtheatres.com/showcase