charity – Page 80 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

HOt HOt HOt news from Fresh Start!

All the latest from Fresh Start, the resettlement charity based in Ferry Road Drive:

Edinburgh’s leading resettlement charity is calling on city residents to dig deep this Christmas to ensure previously homeless families can have a ‘HO-t, HO-t, HO-t’ meal.

Fresh Start has ‘ignited’ its annual Cookers for Christmas appeal and is calling on 2,400 Capital residents to donate just £5 to help the charity provide cookers for 150 families and individuals. The charity needs less than 1% of Edinburgh residents to donate just £5 to its annual Cookers for Christmas Appeal to ensure it meets last year’s total.

Keith Robertson, Managing Director at Fresh Start, said: “Help make someone’s Christmas. If one if every 200 people in Edinburgh donated just £5 to our appeal, we’d be able to provide cookers for 150 families.

“This year, thanks to our new cookers re-use project, we’ll be able to help more people than ever before – but we’re only able to do this with your help.”

He added: “Dickensian as it may sound, there will be families and individuals in Edinburgh this Christmas who sit down to a cold Christmas dinner. For families who have recently been housed, a cooker is often too expensive. But with your help we can ensure some of those households don’t have to sit down to a cold meal again.”

Keith Robertson added: “Help make someone’s Christmas by donating on our Fresh Start Cookers for Christmas Just Giving Page, and spread the word through social media using #cookersforchristmas”

The charity’s new innovative cooker re-use service means it will be able to help many more people than in previous years. Historically the Cookers for Christmas donations have used to buy new cookers but Fresh Start have opened a new service – The Food Station.

Launched in September, The Food Station hosts a new Electrical Workshop where the charity can now test donated cookers which will be passed onto clients, meaning it can increase the number of people it can help.

The Food Station is a wider project aimed at addressing health inequalities, with new Food Packs being prepared there, cooking and budgeting classes, and an allotment to provide food for the cooking classes.

Nearly 600 food packs have already been distributed to Edinburgh families and individuals since the launch of the new service to ensure previously homeless households can enjoy a hot, home cooked meal when they move into their new home.

The decision to deliver the new services around food came after people who had been homeless said they struggled to provide home cooked food for themselves and their families when they moved into a new home, due to the costs involved in setting up a house.

The charity also said the current economic climate played a big part in people facing difficulties feeding themselves and their families.

Speaking at the launch of the Food Station service, Keith Robertson said: “I am delighted we can build on the services we already have at Fresh Start and develop them under one roof. Thanks to funding from a variety of sources, we can now reach out to even more people who are going through the transition from being homeless to getting a new home.”

The innovative new services received praise from the Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Councillor Donald Wilson, who said: “Fresh Start has long been a part of the homelessness services in Edinburgh since it was set up in 1999, delivering a handful of packs to people who were homeless in the city.

“Since then it has become significant part of the solution for homeless people looking to settle into a new house, delivering around 2,000 Starter Packs each year and providing a range of services. This new Food Station and Food Pack service is an innovative development and will help people who have been homeless have a home cooked meal from the off, as well as teach them a range of new skills.”

The service will be run from new premises at Harrison Place, Edinburgh, which is owned by the Phoenix Club, a small charity supporting people with disabilities. The Food Station will house:

· A new Electrical Workshop to test donated cookers, which will then be passed on to clients.

· A new Food Packs service which will give individuals and families the basics to make a hot, cooked meal in the first days of moving into a new house. This service is an extension of the current Starter Packs service operated by Fresh Start.

· The charity will also deliver cookery classes to help people learn to cook meals on a small budget.

· An allotment has also been created in the garden, which will provide food for the cookery classes.

Fresh Start’s new Development Worker, Angus Maclean, who comes from a homelessness and care services background, will oversee the project at Harrison Gardens.

Keith Robertson added: “The transition between being homeless and moving into a new home can often bring challenges such as financial burdens so we want to give people the best possible start in their new lives by providing them with the essentials as well as offering them support with cooking, food budgeting and training opportunities. The support from our funders and other local community projects has been a key to enabling the Food Station to open its doors.”

Fresh Start hopes to help over 60 people a year learn new cooking skills. The charity also aims to give around 150 people a cooker so they can cook for themselves.

The charity has received funding from the National Lottery Grant, NHS Lothian, Zero Waste Scotland, Rotary Club of Edinburgh and Hibbert Family Foundation. They have received help from Lloyds Banking Group, Bield Housing Association, John Redpath Electrical Contractors, G A Helmore Electricians, and CitySprint.

Fresh Start will work closely with Bethany Christian Trust and City of Edinburgh Council to ensure cookers and food reach the people that need them most. The cookery classes will be delivered and developed in partnership with Edinburgh Cyrenians Good Food Project.

To donate visit Fresh Start’s Just Giving Page:

http://www.justgiving.com/Fresh-Start-Cookers-for-Christmas-2013

Winter Open Day at Redhall tomorrow

Redhall Walled Garden is holding a community Winter Open Day tomorrow (Sunday 8 December) from 12-5pm.

To summarise what’s on offer :-

Spot the snowman quiz & trail
Children’s Activities
Holly Wreaths for sale
Cream Teas
Beautiful garden

Jan Cameron (Team leader)

Redhall Walled Garden

97 Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH14 2LZ

0131 443 0946

The garden is open to the public Monday- Friday 9am – 3:30pm

To find out more about Redhall see our video on Youtube click on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGLGSksilX0

or attend our Information day on the first Wednesday of every month – phone to book.

SSPCA reminder: a pet’s not just for Christmas

Hate to remind you, but Christmas Day is FOUR WEEKS TODAY (I know, I know!) – the Scottish SPCA has issued a seasonal reminder about giving pets as Christmas gifts:

The Scottish SPCA is warning of the dangers of giving animals as Christmas gifts as the charity prepares for one of its busiest times of year. Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also revealed some of the most ridiculous excuses owners have used when trying to give up their pets.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Every year we stress that pets should never be bought on a whim or given as surprise gifts, but some people clearly aren’t getting the message.

“Sadly, our animal rescue and rehoming centres are full every Christmas and, shockingly, some owners see our centres as dumping grounds and animals as disposable items they can just give away.

“This is particularly evident over the festive period and in the months that follow and the saddest cases are when people try to give up their older dog to make way for a Christmas puppy. Recently we were given a hard luck story and took in an elderly dog and then found out the owners had visited another charity and bought a pup and, sadly, this happens often.

“One owner even told us they didn’t want their dog making their house untidy when they had guests over for Christmas, which is just ludicrous.”

The Scottish SPCA will stop rehoming puppies, kittens and baby animals between 19 December and 3 January to avoid people taking on pets to give away as gifts.

Chief Supt. Flynn added, “We have to ensure our rescue animals aren’t being taken on by someone who just wants a new pet for Christmas or a cute animal to give as a present without fully thinking through their decision.

“However, our animal rescue and rehoming centres will be open to the public every day, including Christmas Day, and young animals can be reserved during this time.

“We’ll continue to be asked to take in puppies, kittens and other pets given as presents once the novelty has worn off. In other cases, these pets are abandoned and left to fend for themselves which is extremely callous as well as a criminal offence.

“Our message is that taking on a pet is a long-term decision and potential owners should ensure they have the time, commitment and financial resources required. Animals simply are not presents which can be given on Christmas Day and forgotten about soon afterwards.”

Inspector Janet Proudlock with puppy PIC: SSPCA — Inspector Janet Proudlock with puppy
PIC: SSPCA

Beads of Courage at Sick Kids

Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children was the first Scottish hospital to adopt Beads of Courage, a programme designed to boost the bravery of sick children – and it’s now welcomed donations totalling nearly £10,000.

The programme sees young patients in the oncology and haematology service at the RHSC receive a strand with beads spelling out their name. Beads will then be added for each procedure the children go through, such as blood tests, lumbar punctures, chemotherapy and overnight stays.

Last month, the programme – which has been funded by Be Child Cancer Aware – received donations from charitable organisation Spifox Too, sixth year pupils at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools and from the family of current patient Melissa Crouch. The three donations totalling £9,750, ensure that this innovative and positive support tool for children with cancer can continue.

During a visit to the hospital, Steph Dorward, Suzanne Graham and Hannah Ross from Spifox Too, met eight-year-old Tabitha Lawson, a pupil at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, along with ward staff.

Jenny Tomes, clinical psychologist, NHS Lothian, said: “’Using the Beads of Courage is a wonderful way of helping children to cope with procedures by rewarding their courage, encouraging coping strategies, and providing a focus for discussion of their experiences.

“It’s great to see how well the scheme has been received by the children and we’d like to reiterate our thanks once again for these generous donations which will enable the scheme to continue.”

John Drummond, Chairman of Be Child Cancer Aware, said: “Coming to terms with cancer or haematology disease is a very difficult and confusing time, especially for children. Beads of Courage gives children a tangible way to show what they go through and how brave they’ve been. The programme gives the children the power to take control and should never be underestimated.”

Steph Dorward, from Spifox Too, added: “It was a great opportunity for three of us from the Spifox Too committee to be able to see the Beads of Courage programme in action, thanks to all that facilitated the day and the visit certainly underlined the fantastic work that all at RHSC do.”

Let’s hear it for the girls!

Fresh Start honours volunteers’ community spirit

Hundreds of Edinburgh’s homeless households have been helped settle into their new homes thanks to generosity of local schoolchildren – who were recently honoured for their community spirit.

St George’s Lower School for Girls received a Community Volunteer Award from Edinburgh’s West pilton-based homelessness resettlement charity Fresh Start for its support in helping previously homeless families make a house a home.

Children from the school have collected items to go in Fresh Start’s Starter Packs for the last few years, providing invaluable support for the charity, which survives on donations to be able to make up the packs.

Every year, Fresh Start makes up and distributes around 9,000 packs, which provide the basics for new households to survive.

Keith Robertson, Managing Director, said: “The support of St George’s Lower School has meant hundreds of new households in Edinburgh have been able to make a house a home. These packs provide basics like bedding to keep warm at night, curtains to close the world out, crockery to eat dinner on. Without the kind of community spirit show by St George’s Lower School, we would struggle to continue to be able to provide the support we do.”

Head of Lower School Marjorie Hall said: “It’s been an honour to help provide goods for the packs – all the school children who have taken part have learnt a lot. They make houses to provide the goods in, which helps them to make the connection between being homeless and getting a house. It’s an important life lesson for them – that homelessness can happen to anyone.”

The school’s award was one of a number of awards, given out at the charity’s annual Volunteer Awards on Friday (November 8).

Every year Fresh Start volunteers, staff and directors nominate volunteers to get an award – Starter Pack Volunteer, Hit Squad Volunteer, Church Representative Volunteer, Community Volunteer and Corporate Volunteer.

Other award winners were:

Evelyn Scott from Colinton, who received an award for being an outstanding Starter Pack volunteer.
Tony Shephard from Abbeyhill, who received an award for being an outstanding Hit Squad volunteer. These volunteers help to decorate homes of Fresh Start clients.
Jack Simpson from Craiglockhart, who received an award for his work as a Church Representative.
The award for Corporate Volunteers went to Lloyds Banking Group.

Keith Robertson added: “At Fresh Start we depend on the support of our volunteers and the donations that come in, which is why we take a moment each year to honour those who help us so much.”

Mo! mo! mo! – hirsute runners hit Holyrood Park!

Over a thousand bewhiskered MoRunners from across the city converged on Holyrood Park for the Edinburgh MoRun on Saturday 9 Novemner, raising an estimated £30,000 for charity.

Weather held for most of the race with some showers but the cold temperature were quickly forgotten as the runners were tackling Arthur’s Seat hill.

The first male to cross the line was Danny White who completed the 5k course in an impressive 18.01 minutes, followed shortly after by the female winner Fionna Barrow who finished in 23:12 minutes.

For the 10k, Hedwig Ponjee finished it in 42:08 for the first female and Tom Wilson in an astonishing 36:50 minutes as first male.

Every runner who enters the run wears a moustache for the event, which raises for funds for Movember charity, and many dressed in fancy dress to take on the 5k or 10k route.

Dave Krangel, Edinburgh MoRun Race Director, said: “We were delighted at the success of the first ever Edinburgh MoRun, with thousands of MoRunners turning up to Holyrood Park in awesome fancy dress and comedy moustaches.

“MoRunning is about enjoying running with friends and family whilst raising funds for Movember to help fight men’s cancers. The atmosphere in Edinburgh was buzzing and we hope to have raised around £30 000 for charity”.

The Edinburgh MoRun is one of 11 MoRuns taking place in parks across Scotland and the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland during Movember.

A full list of results and winners is available on the MoRunning website at http://edinburgh.mo-running.com

Runners can also follow @mo_running on Twitter or join the MoRunning Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/morunning

‘Anything is possible’: ‘crazy’ Georges to tackle Death Valley

Father and Son to cycle 500 miles through Death Valley for charity

An Edinburgh college employee and his 72-year-old dad plan to cycle from Las Vegas to Los Angeles via the Death Valley national park to raise money for Barnardo’s next Spring. George Stewart (38)j and his father, also called George, are keen cyclists and the pair hope to raise £6000 when they take on the gruelling challenge in March.

George senior is undertaking the challenge after surviving FIVE strokes and undergoing a triple heart bypass! Over a long period of recovery, George senior had to learn to speak, write and type again. His ordeal did not dampen his passion for cycling and he has undertaken many tours with his son, whom he is responsible for getting in to cycling and cycle racing. They recently completed a tour from Scotland to France together.

George junior, who works as a facilities assistant at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus, said: “Though the main aim of completing this challenge is to raise as much money as possible for Barnardo’s, we also aim to show that if a 72-year-old man who has had five strokes and a triple heart bypass can cycle 500 miles through some of the harshest land in the planet, then anything is possible.”

Death Valley (pictured above) is the lowest, hottest and driest area in North America. On their journey, George and his father will face temperatures as high as 39 degrees celsius, a climb to 5,550 feet above sea level followed by a drop to 136 feet below sea level, as well as cycling on roads dominated by traffic on the busy streets of Los Angeles. The journey is expected to take six days.

George senior will be cycling attached to a small portable heart monitor to ensure his wellbeing throughout the challenge. The rest of the Stewart family are very supportive, despite calling the pair “crazy”!

George junior said: “My fiancé is very worried about the reputation of the route we’ve chosen as it’s not just a national park we’re going to; it is called the Death Valley after all. She is very supportive though; she kicks me out on my bike every weekend and tells me to get going!”

The Georges have been training relentlessly, averaging 120 miles every weekend from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond and back. George senior does find it difficult to maintain speed when riding uphill but has an excellent recovery time. The pair have always been very close as George junior lost his mother a number of years ago to motor neurone disease. George junior says: “I think we’ll have a cracking laugh together when we’re doing the challenge. We spend a lot of time together in training and doing other cycle tours and we’ve always had a great relationship.”

They plan to post video blogs whilst on their journey through Death Valley relying on the various remote hotels they are staying in to have internet connection. The blogs will include the number of miles covered, how much water they have gone through, any problems they have encountered and how their bodies are dealing with the physical aspect of the challenge. Any current developments and their training regime can be tracked on their Facebook page.

The father and son duo are also running a couple of other events prior to the cycle challenge to promote their participation and attract more donations. They are holding a charity dinner with guest comedian Chris Purchase on 14 November at 6:15pm at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus. Tickets are just £15 and can be bought via email at:

George.stewart@edinburghcollege.ac.uk or telephone 07718 229530.

There will also be a silent auction on 27 February at the Apex City Hotel in the Grassmarket. Tickets will be £10 and include a glass of wine and canapés. For tickets and more information on this event please e-mail George junior on the above address.

The Stewarts’ Death Valley Cycle Challenge is due to take place in March 2014. To donate go to their Virgin Money Giving page.

3 – 2 – 1 MO!

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE EDINBURGH MORUN!

The countdown is on, with just one month to Mo until the 5km and 10km Edinburgh MoRun hits Holyrood Park on Saturday 9 November!

“We’re busy getting ready behind the scenes for the third Edinburgh MoRun says Dave Krangel, Edinburgh MoRun Race Director. “Most places have already been filled so if you want to join in the fun, I’d recommend entering online today at http://edinburgh.mo-running.com.”

MoRunning is a fun and friendly way to get fit whilst raising funds for Movember UK to help fight men’s cancers. Men, women and accompanied children of all ages and running abilities can take part.

Every MoRunner is encouraged to wear a moustache, whether stuck on, drawn on or lovingly cultivated for Movember and there are prizes for the best fancy dress. Everyone who enters receives a moustache medal, MoRunning headband, race chip timing plus Movember goodies.

Krangel adds: “If you’re not running, you can still support the runners to raise funds for men’s health charities by volunteering at the run. We’re keen to hear from MoRunners’ friends and family who can help.”

Volunteers will marshall the route, cheer MoRunners on and help with registrations, handing out medals and water at the finish line. Volunteers will need to be available from 8am-12 noon and will receive free drinks, snacks and MoRunning goodies. Full training will be given on the day.

The Edinburgh MoRun is one of 11 MoRuns taking place in parks across Scotland, the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland during Movember, with the Glasgow MoRun taking place on Glasgow Green on the same day. Entries cost £15 for 5km and £22 for 10km plus booking fee.

Runners can enter online at http://edinburgh.mo-running.com.

Volunteers can apply at:

http://www.mo-running.com/about-morunning/volunteer-morunning/

Super Staffies seek loving homes

The Scottish SPCA is running a campaign to encourage locals to rehome one of the many gentle and affectionate Staffordshire bull terriers in its care.

Staffie Awareness Week begins today (21 October) and Scotland’s animal welfare charity hopes to change people’s perception of the breed, which has been unfairly labelled as aggressive and intimidating towards people.

Last year the Scottish SPCA conducted research which revealed that a staggering 75% of Scots who said they would rehome a dog were unlikely to give a Staffordshire bull terrier or staffie crossbreed a home, with many believing the breed is dangerous and can’t be trusted.

There are always Staffordshire bull terriers and staffie crossbreeds waiting for loving homes at the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno and people are being encouraged to go along and meet these dogs.

Centre manager Diane Stewart said, “The results of our research last year were very disappointing, but not surprising. While we have made great strides in recent years by changing attitudes towards staffies, we still have a long way to go. Sadly, many people visiting our centre have already discounted the breed before they even walk through the door.

“It’s heartbreaking that staffies have been labelled as dangerous and aggressive. In fact, staffies tend to be gentle, affectionate and loyal and it’s a tragedy so many are living in kennels when they should be in loving homes. We never put a healthy animal to sleep and the strain on our resources is incredible as it seems every time we find a staffie a home one or two
more arrive in our care in need of our help.

“Irresponsible dog ownership is the key issue, with over-breeding leading to huge numbers of unwanted staffies and far too many of the breed being owned by people who do not make sure their dogs are under control and well behaved in public. Staffie Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the staffie as a fantastic pet.

“Just like other dogs in our care, some of our staffies have been abused or neglected and they need particular homes, but we also have many who could happily live in a family home with children and other pets. Anyone thinking of taking on a dog is more than welcome to visit our
centre and meet some of our super staffies who are patiently waiting to be offered a fresh start.”

Anyone interested in offering a staffie a good home can visit the Scottish SPCA Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Mansfield, Balerno, Edinburgh. The centre is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm.

Meet Buster! Pic: SSPCA — Meet Buster!
Pic: SSPCA

PYCP’s AGM is on Friday

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project (PYCP) are holsing their Annual General Meeting at The Greenhouse off West Pilton Place this Friday (25 October) from 2 – 4pm. All welcome!

PS: Congratulations to all at PYCP who raised £150 when they supported the MacMillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning last month!