charity – Page 71 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Dementia Friendly campaign coming to Granton Campus

Did you see North Edinburgh News’ recent story about the city council’s campaign to make Edinburgh a Dementia Friendly city? Well, representatives from Alzheimer Scotland will be at

Edinburgh College Granton Campus

on Wednesday 11 March between 10am and 4pm

to tell you how you can get involved.

We will be there talking to the students about the work of Alzheimer Scotland and various fundraising and volunteering opportunities within the organisation and will be encouraging people to sign up to become Dementia Friends.

We want to get people talking about dementia and would welcome you to come along on the day to talk to us. We look forward to seeing you and thanking you for helping us make sure that nobody faces dementia alone.

Abbi Parkhouse, Regional Fundraiser

Last stop – but happy memories at the end of the road

Lothian Buses’ year working with The Yard has comes to an end – but the company has raised a record breaking amount for its Charity of the year, The Yard.

The charity’s bus has become well known and much loved throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians and the company’s employees taking the charity to their hearts by raising an fantastic amount of money for them.

The Yard provides care, support and fun for children with disabilities and their families and work closely with special need schools in Edinburgh

Over the year Lothian Buses, their employees and customers have raised over £20,000 for the charity from events such as charity football matches, raffles, the Christmas Grotto Bus and the company’s staff awards night, plus customers and employees donated their foreign coins and change to collections tins at our Travelshops. The charity also received a year’s free adverting on the outside and inside of buses with a value of over £196,000.

Jenny McDonald, Fundraising Manager, The Yard said: “It has been a great privilege to be Lothian Buses Charity of The Year and to see the commitment from all the staff and customers who have done an incredible job raising £20,000 towards our work.

“Special thanks to Keith and all the team at Marine Depot who organised the Hibs Legends Vs Lothian Buses Allstars Football Match, creating great memories for our children involved. Seeing the smiling faces of Cissie and Amy on our Yard bus still makes us all smile and it has been invaluable in raising awareness of what we do – thank you!’

SSPCA appeal after deer mauled by dogs

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two dogs mauled a deer in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted on Tuesday after a member of the public witnessed two dogs attacking the animal in a field near Blackford Glen Road.

Animal Rescue Officer Fiona Thorburn said, “When I arrived the deer was in a terrible state, the bite marks were awful and you could see the muscle had been ripped off her back legs. Sadly, the deer was in severe pain and wouldn’t have recovered so the most humane thing to do was to put her to sleep.

“Passers-by described the dogs as two Jack Russell types who were off their leads. It is extremely worrying that these two dogs were able to carry out this attack. It could be that they were being walked by their owner who lost control of them.

“Unfortunately we have been unable to trace the owner but we are hopeful someone in the area may have information. We always advise dog walkers to take extra care when they are in areas with wildlife. In this instance, an animal has lost its life because these dogs were not under their owner’s control.”

Anyone with information relating to the attack should contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

Teaming up to fight breast cancer

Scotland’s Health Secretary Shona Robison endorsed a new partnership between MoonWalk organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Paths for All and Young Scot earlier today.

The three groups have united to encourage Scots not only to get fit but also to raise both money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “I am thrilled that in this the 10th Anniversary year of The MoonWalk Scotland, these two wonderful organisations Paths for All and Young Scot are uniting with us to help encourage people of all ages in Scotland to get fit and at the same time raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

“To have the continued support of The Health Secretary, Shona Robison, is such a fantastic endorsement of the difference that Walk the Walk is continuing to make in Scotland both in keeping people active and by the grants that we make to improve the lives of those living with cancer.”

Ian Findlay, Chief Officer of Paths for All said: “We’re delighted to partner with Walk the Walk to promote this amazing event which unites people in walking for a brilliant cause. It is great to work with Walk the Walk to raise funds, but also to highlight the importance of being active for our health. Indeed, 30 minutes of daily physical activity, such as walking can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer and is a gentle way for those in recovery to stay active.

“It is brilliant to see the The MoonWalk have shorter walks such as The New Moon, so that more people can take part in this fabulous event. Look out for the Paths for All team enjoying the fun on the night!”

David McNeill, Entitlements and Rewards Director at Young Scot, said: “Hundreds of young people and their families are affected by breast cancer every year and we know it’s a topic that many hold close to their hearts. We are delighted to be involved in the 10th Anniversary event and support and encourage young people to participate in The MoonWalk Scotland by offering Young Scot Reward points. It’s a great way to meet other people, have fun, and enjoy the health benefits of walking – we wish everyone the best of luck!”

This year’s MoonWalk takes place on Saturday 13 June at Inverleith Park, when thousands of women, men and children will walk through the streets of Edinburgh at Midnight, with those aged 13 and over wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras.

To date, The MoonWalk Scotland has raised almost £18 million, with most of the money raised staying in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

Walk the Walk has made grants in Scotland to Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres in Glasgow, Larbert and Airdrie, for Scalp Cooling machines in hospitals throughout Scotland and to the Breast Cancer Institute in Edinburgh (renovation of Ward 6, a new theatre and renovation of the Mammography Unit).

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party’ and four walking distances are available: New Moon (6.55 miles), Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

For more information and for entry fees go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Pictured: (L-R) Paths for All’s Frances Bain, Health Minister Shona Robison MSP, Sally Orr from Walk the Walk and Young Scot’s Ashton Vickers .

Fancy scaling new heights for Macmillan?

Macmillan Cancer Support is appealing for brave volunteers to abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday 7 June.

The cancer charity is one of the lead charities for the Forth Rail Bridge abseil, which is organised by the Rotary Club of South Queensferry. Participants will have the chance to abseil 165ft SAS style (i.e. freefall) from the Forth Rail Bridge onto the beach below.

Fundraising Manager for Edinburgh, Jayne Forbes, said “The Forth Rail Bridge challenge is a real adrenaline rush for the daring and the ultimate challenge for the rest of us! No previous experience is necessary and it’s suitable for everyone over the age of fourteen. All of the funds raised for Macmillan from the event will support our vital services for people affected by cancer. 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. So why not sign up today and help us ensure no one in Edinburgh faces cancer alone?”

The registration fee for the event is £25 and participants pledge to raise a further £125. To sign up, contact Macmillan on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

Redhall Walled Garden Easter Open Day

Here you go … our first mention of Easter!

Easter Open Day – 5th April 2015

STV Appeal cash for Young Carers

Edinburgh Young Carers Project receives £2,000 from STV Appeal 2014.

Edinburgh Young Carers Project (EYCP) was established in 1994 and is the main provider of services to assist young carers to cope with the stress and complexities of their family situation. The project aims to increase awareness of young carers and ensure they get support through EYCP, schools or in their local communities.

EYCP supports around 150 young carers annually between the ages of five and 20. The project aims to improve the quality of life of a young carer through helping them maintain a balance between the responsibilities of being a carer and their own needs for time and space for their own personal development through their childhood and adolescence.

The STV Appeal is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and young people living in poverty in Scotland. Across the country, 220,000 children live in poverty and figures from the Campaign to End Child Poverty show that in Edinburgh it’s actually 21.1% of children – more than one in five. Edinburgh Young Carers is one of the projects the STV Appeal is supporting in Edinburgh.

Margaret Murphy, CEO of Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “Young carers often give up a lot through taking on roles and responsibilities caring for a family member and we seek to provide them with understanding, time off and a chance to be the children they are to develop their social skills and to have fun.

“The generous donation from the STV Appeal will be used to support the 1:1 work EYCP provides for young carers who have difficult caring situations, or who are experiencing a particularly difficult period in their lives. We have found that providing this individual support makes a big difference in helping them to cope.”

Since launch in 2011, the STV Appeal has raised over £8.2 million with 297 big and small grants distributed to projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, providing much needed support to over 37,000 children. The money raised is distributed to provide practical help like food and warm clothes; create opportunities for training and employability; and enable social and emotional support for those who need it most.

Rob Woodward, STV CEO and trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “The money donated to the STV Appeal remains in Scotland and will help bring about a positive change to the lives of vulnerable children and young people on our doorstep. With the help of the extraordinary fundraising efforts taking place in communities across the country we have raised an incredible £2.6m in 2014 allowing us to make grants to 297 projects. We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported this year’s Appeal.”

The STV Appeal 2015 is now well underway with an exciting line-up of fundraising activities planned for the year ahead.

All aboard Lothian Buses to the Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party!

The MoonWalk Scotland’s amazing Pink Bus is back – and thanks to Lothian Buses, it’s en route to the Mad Hatter’s Midnight Tea Party! For the third year, Lothian Buses are uniting with MoonWalk organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, as Official Transport Partner for the iconic night-time walking challenge.

The MoonWalk celebrates its 10^th anniversary on 13 June this year, when thousands of women, men and young Walkers will join together at Edinburgh’s Inverleith Park to celebrate a decade of incredible Scottish fundraising and decorated bras, before setting off on their Walking challenges. With this year’s Alice in Wonderland inspired theme, organisers are expecting a night full of fun, wonder and madness!

Between now and The MoonWalk Scotland in June, Lothian Buses’ specially branded bright Pink Bus will once again become a familiar sight on bus routes all over Edinburgh and the Lothians, and will be the centre piece of several special roadshows in the build up to the event.

On the night itself, Lothian Buses will provide a special service from Edinburgh City Centre to Inverleith Park and will also transport hundreds of the charity’s fantastic Volunteers to and from their positions on The MoonWalk route. Participants in the New Moon challenge (6.55 miles) will also be chauffeured by Lothian Buses back from their finish line to MoonWalk City, where they will watch films in Walk the Walk’s huge Pink Tent.

Lothian Buses are not only providing the wheels to and from The MoonWalk Wonderland, but some of the company’s staff are also ditching their regular uniforms for Alice in Wonderland inspired costumes, as they take part in The MoonWalk themselves.

The MoonWalk Scotland has raised almost £18 million over the last ten years, with most of the money staying in Scotland, to help improve the lives of people with cancer. Walk the Walk makes a huge difference across the country, granting large amounts to projects and charities who would otherwise take many years to raise the money on their own.

There is a walking distance for every age and ability, from the 6.55 miles New Moon challenge, now in its third year, to the Half Moon (13.1 miles), Full Moon (26.2 miles) and for those wanting a thrilling new goal, the double marathon Over The Moon (52.4 miles).

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “I am absolutely delighted that Lothian Buses are once again uniting with Walk the Walk as our Official Transport Partner for 2015, and especially as this year will be a big year, as we celebrate our ten years of MoonWalking in Scotland.

“Lothian Buses will have a busy night ahead of them, transporting our Walkers from the centre of Edinburgh to the best party in town at Inverleith, helping to deploy our Volunteers and Marshalls around the course, and collecting all our New Mooners from their Finish Line and delivering them back to MoonWalk City.

“And as for the incredible pink MoonWalk Scotland bus, it will be out on the streets of Edinburgh and the Lothians, always spreading the word – it’s a daily reminder to encourage people to sign up for The MoonWalk and help to really make a huge difference to people with breast cancer across Scotland.”

Tina McMurray, a Lothian Buses driver who is leading the company’s MoonWalkers on 13 June said: “We are delighted that once again thanks to the support of our employers, Lothian Buses, staff can get involved with The MoonWalk for the third year running. We are all really excited for the night itself and helping this great cause.”

Entries are now open for The MooonWalk Scotland 2015. To sign up as a walker or volunteer, go to www.walkthewalk.org/moonwalkscotland

Total-ly delighted!

£84,000 will establish a Community Leadership College

The STV Appeal is the fund that just keeps on giving to projects in North Edinburgh – Total Craigroyston became the latest local beneficiary when it received almost £84,000 from the charity programme.

STV CEO and trustee of the STV Appeal Rob Woodward and Chris Wilson managing director, Retail and Private Banking, RBS, presented the cheque for £83, 980 to Total Craigroyston manager Christine Mackay yesterday.

The STV Appeal raised £2.6million in 2014 – £305,689 of this was raised by RBS branches.

Total Craigroyston is an initiative set up by the Edinburgh Partnership to improve outcomes for children and families in the neighbourhood around Craigroyston Community High School. The project is doing this by taking a three pronged approach –

strengthening services that are open to all like health, early years and schools;
strengthening support for families;
supporting local people to organise their own activities.

Now, working in partnership with charities Circle Scotland and the Link-up Muirhouse project, an idea has been developed to establish a Community Leadership College. This will help Total Craigroyston expand leadership capability amongst local residents.

Julie Crawford, Muirhouse Link Up development worker, said: “We are really excited about the opportunity that the STV Appeal has given us to turn our idea into reality. This project will help us work with local people to build on the excellent local leadership that exists at the moment and take it to the next level.”

Chris Wilson, managing director, Retail and Private Banking, RBS, said: “It’s fantastic to see first-hand the work of projects like Total Craigroyston and understand the real impact that the money from the STV Appeal will have on them. RBS is proud to support the STV Appeal and help change the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.”

The STV Appeal is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and young people living in poverty in Scotland. Across the country, 220,000 children live in poverty and figures from the Campaign to End Child Poverty show that in the city of Edinburgh it’s actually 21.1% of children – more than one in five.

Total Craigroyston is just one of the projects the STV Appeal is supporting in North Edinburgh – Pilton Youth & Childrens Project, Changeworks and Fresh Start have all received grants from the funder.

PoLHA raises funds for Kinsfolk Carers

Late (or is it very early?) Christmas gift for carers group

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) held a post-Christmas raffle and raised £115 for Kinsfolk Carers.

The organisation, a drop-in centre and support group for kinship carers, is based at Leith Community Centre.

Kinship care is the raising of a child or children by relatives or close family friends because the biological parents are, for whatever reason, unwilling or unable to do so.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: ““Kinsfolk Carers does a fantastic job and is a lifeline for many carers. Being a Leith-based organisation, the same as us, we felt it was appropriate to donate the proceeds of our post-Christmas raffle to them.”