Where’s the burdz? Volunteer opportunity!

I am writing from RSPB Scotland, a UK conservation charity. We have a new volunteer opportunity that I thought members of the community might be interested in.

We would like to recruit some volunteers who are interested in helping us campaign for wildlife conservation. We will support them to write to, visit and lobby their local decision makers on our behalf as we prepare to launch a marine conservation campaign to protect seabirds at sea. We hope it will be a great opportunity for volunteers to meet people and gain new skills.

I attach the role description of the opportunity as well as the date of our welcome event. Although I realise that many of your members will already be involved in similar projects, if any of them would like to volunteer or attend the welcome event to find out more they can email champions.scotland@rspb.org.uk.

Please get in touch if you have any questions

Best wishes

Philippa Faulkner (Campaigns Co-ordinator Scotland)

RSPB Scotland

2 Lochside View

Edinburgh Park

Edinburgh EH12 9DH

Tel: 0131 317 4198

Mob:07568100922

Follow us on Twitter @RSPB Scotland

www.rspb.org.uk

Still time to register for St Columba’s Water of Leith Walk

Water of Leith Walk

While the countdown is on for the St Columba’s Hospice Water of Leith Walk on 12 May, there’s still time to register – registration is open until 10 May, so why not sign up to walk one of the most beautiful routes in Edinburgh to help build a new St Columba’s Hospice?

Sunday 12 May 2013
Start times between 9.30am and 11am

Walk the Big Yin
Balerno – Leith Links (12.25 miles)

Walk the Wee Yin
Murrayfield – Leith Links (5 miles)

We hope you will join us!

Taking a stroll along the Water of Leith is one of the must do things for any visitor to Edinburgh, yet how many of us have ever walked the whole 12.25 miles of it? Here’s your chance to do just that, and help build a new home for St Columba’s Hospice.

The St Columba’s Hospice Water of Leith Walk will be held on Sunday 12 May. Walkers of all ages are welcome, and participants can walk on their own, or enter as a family or a team with up to six members.

Starting in Balerno, the full 12.25 mile walk (the ‘Big Yin’) will follow the river as it winds its way through Colinton Village and Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Winter Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and finally, to our new finishing point at Leith Links.

For those that would find a shorter stroll more appealing, there is also the gentler ‘Wee Yin’ – a five mile route from Murrayfield to Leith.

Along the way you’ll get the chance to see stunning natural landscapes, remnants of Edinburgh’s industrial history, and a wide diversity of plants and animals, from orchids to otters.

This will be an unforgettable experience and help build a new home for St Columba’s Hospice.

To register please contact Sìne on 0131 551 7707 or sward@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or download the flyer/entry form on the right and email it to us.

You can also register on the day, the details are as follows:

The ‘Big Yin’

Registration location – Balerno Community Centre
Registration time – 9.30am – 10.30am
Official start time – 10.00am
End point – Leith Links

The ‘Wee Yin’

Registration location – Murrayfield Coach Park
Registration time – 10.30am – 11.30am
Offical start time – 11.00am
End point – Leith Links

Tesco raises £11.85 million for Cancer Research UK

Tesco staff and customers have raised £11.85 million in one year for Cancer Research UK, its charity of the year. The money was raised by staff, customers and suppliers at more than 3,000 stories, offices and distribution centres across the UK, and according to Tesco this is the largest amount ever raised by a business and charity partnership in one year.

Fundraising activities included:

treks by Tesco staff members to Everest base camp and the Sahara, which together raised over £191,000

a festive-themed ‘Cycle to Lapland’ static bike ride in Tesco stores which raised more than £1 million over one weekend

competitions inspired by TV programmes including ‘Tesco Does Strictly’ and ‘Tesco Distribution’s Got Talent’ which raised more than £68,000

In-store fundraising activities by Tesco included a donation of 0.0125p from Tesco Personal Finance PLC every time a cash machine was used at Tesco until 29 February 2013, and promotions that encouraged Clubcard customers to donate their points to the charity.

The store that raised the most money was Tesco Extra in Dundee, which raised £22,000.

The funds raised are being used for 32 early diagnosis and detection research projects helping to ensure more people receive treatment at a time when it is more likely to be successful.

During the partnership Tesco also helped Cancer Research UK raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of cancer. Eight million health information leaflets were placed at store checkouts.

Richard Taylor, Cancer Research UK Executive Director of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “Tesco staff, customers and suppliers have gone above and beyond to raise a record-breaking amount of money for our lifesaving work over the past year. The dedication they have put into raising vital funds to help improve the early diagnosis and detection of cancer particularly during a time of economic uncertainty has been truly inspiring.”

Since 1988 Tesco has chosen a different charity every year to benefit from staff and customer fundraising. The company’s Charity Trust tops up staff fundrasing by 20% up to a maximum of £500,000.

Last month Tesco announced that Diabetes UK will be it’s next charity of the year.

Still waiting: MSP supports charity campaign

Lothians Green MSP Alison Johnstone yesterday visited Age Scotland’s shop on Edinburgh’s Nicolson Street to give her backing to the charity’s campaign to tackle isolation among older people. She signed the Still Waiting petition – which calls on the Scottish Government to extend the free bus pass scheme to include community transport services that help older people who find it difficult or impossible to use mainstream bus services – and encouraged local residents to do the same.

Alison Johnstone said: “Isolation is one of the biggest problems facing our older population and it’s clear that extending the free bus pass to include community transport would be a very positive step. All the evidence shows that increasing the independence of older people leads to better physical and mental health and fewer demands on our health system. I urge people to show their support the Still Waiting campaign by signing their petition”

Local Age Scotland Development Officer Laura Dunkel said: “Being unable to use mainstream transport can leave you isolated and lonely; a health risk comparable to life-long smoking. If successful, our campaign will benefit older people in Edinburgh who can’t use ordinary bus services, by allowing them to travel free on Community Transport.

“It will also help secure the future of local Community Transport providers, such as Pilton Equalities Project, that are vulnerable in the current economic downturn. And everyone stands to gain, as older people who are supported to maintain their independence and quality of life are less likely to need hospital or residential care, which is costly to the public purse.”

Leith resident Agnes, who is age 66 and suffers from a number of health conditions, said: “I couldn’t tell you the last time I would be able to get a bus. I do sometimes feel very isolated. Some days I cry, but you’ve just got to be strong and put it in the back of your mind – but it’s horrible when you can’t get out. I really think that if we could use our bus passes on community transport, it would make a great difference, not just to me, but to all older people.”

Siu Pang, Age Scotland Nicolson Street shop manager, said: “If you pop into one of our friendly Edinburgh shops between now and the end of September, you’ll find that signing our campaign petition couldn’t be easier. And you’ll find some great bargains to take away with you too.”

Petitions can be signed in Age Scotland’s Stockbridge, Nicholson Street and Morningside shops, and online at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting

Mice homes needed for rescued rodents!

The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre is seeking loving new owners for 34 domestic mice. Scotland’s animal welfare charity rescued the mice after they were found living in poor conditions.

Twenty four of the mice, 13 males and 11 females, are ready and waiting to be rehomed while another female has just given birth to six babies, a further female is pregnant and there are two small juveniles who need more care before they will be ready to go to new homes.

Manager of the Balerno-based Centre, Diane Stewart, said, “The mice had been kept in cramped, dirty conditions and they had been allowed to breed freely resulting in multiple litters. Their previous owner was not coping so it was in the animals’ best interests for them to be signed over into our care and found suitable new homes.”

“Ideally we’d like them to be rehomed in small same-sex groups and pairs as mice are very intelligent and sociable creatures who enjoy the company of their own kind. They are very attractive with some beautiful markings and we’re sure
they’d make fantastic pets for mice lovers who have the time and commitment to care for them. We’d love to hear from anyone who can give some of our mice the second chance they deserve.”

Anyone interested in offering a pair or small group of mice a home can call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 and ask to be connected to the Edinburgh Centre.

Sainsbury’s Blackhall raises over £7000 for Comic Relief

The money has been collected and counted – and Sainsbury’s Blackhall have today announced that their fundraising for Red Nose Day 2013 raised a magnificent £ 7,116.00!

Local residents across North Edinburgh got in the spirit by raising funds, including Sainsbury’s customers, who made a huge contribution by donating money to fundraising events at the Blackhall store as well purchasing this year’s range of merchandise including the Nose with Toes, sold in-store.

Among the fundraising highlights at the Blackhall store this year were our colleague and local resident, Susie Booth’s Sponsored Silence, at her checkout – £ 464, a Ladies Night at Silverknowes Golf Club – £ 1,042 and the Cheeky Chopstick Challenge at Blackhall and Davidson’s Mains Primary Schools – £ 606. . Other activities which saw colleagues ‘Do Something Funny for Money’ included an in-store Zumba class.

Sainsbury’s Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “Many of our colleagues were ‘reddy’ to go one step further this year to mark the 25^th anniversary of Red Nose Day. It’s been a great experience over the last few weeks and we wouldn’t have raised this much if it wasn’t for the generous donations from our North Edinburgh customers”.

Sainsbury’s supermarkets, including North Edinburgh customers were able to do their bit for the environment too by recycling their Red Noses in-store until the end of March. Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief have partnered for a second year with leading UK carpet underlay manufacturer, Ball & Young, to recycle the PU Foam Red Noses. The collected Noses will start a new life as part of Ball & Young’s award-winning Cloud 9 range of underlays, used mainly in British homes.

Katherine How, Sainsbury’s Comic Relief Partnership Manager, added: “It’s good news for the environment and it’s helping Comic Relief supporters make an even bigger lasting impact, so thank-you to everyone who wore their Red Noses with pride and have now given them a new home”.

And good news comes in three’s – the Name the 3^rd Guide Dog Puppy also raised £ 100 for Red Nose Day and £ 100 for Guide Dogs – the winner will be announced shortly!

Help Poppy the Hamster find her way home!

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a hamster was found loose on a Leith street during the recent blizzards. The animal welfare charity was contacted on Monday evening (18 March) after a member of the public spotted the little rodent on Spey Street, just off Pilrig Street. Now named Poppy, the female Syrian hamster is being cared for at SSPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

Animal Rescue Officer Duncan Robertson said, “Poppy is around a year old and in good condition. It’s very lucky she was found by someone who helped her as there was a severe blizzard on Monday evening and it was bitterly cold. Poppy was found in Leith, which is a built up area with lots of flats nearby. Hamsters are fast creatures and can wriggle through small spaces so there is a chance she has escaped from home.

“However, we are keeping an open mind at this stage and can’t rule out the possibility she may have been abandoned by her owner. Poppy could have easily come to harm so we’re really glad she’s now safe. We’re keen to hear from anyone who recognises Poppy and, in the meantime, we’ll ensure she receives the care she needs. “If no-one comes forward, we’ll be looking to find Poppy a loving new home.”

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the SSPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

Sainsbury’s support for St Columba’s Hospice

Just a quick update on how we are getting along with our Local Charity of the Year 2012/13 – St Columba’s Hospice.

The staff at Sainsbury’s in Blackhall are big supporters of St Columba’s Hospice, as are all their customers. Since 2012, the store and its shoppers have raised over £6000 by collecting loose change at the checkouts and bag packs. Thank you to everyone for their support.

Shay, Sainsbury’s Blackhall

Lend a hand at MS Therapy Centre makeover

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy Centre in Leith is undergoing a makeover on 8,9 and 10 February and is looking for around 20 volunteers who can spare a few hours to help with decorating.

The refurbishment is the first in more than a decade and has been made possible thanks to the generosity of local tradesmen. Johnstone’s Paints, Edinburgh and Ideal Carpets, Musselburgh are among the local businesses that have donated materials and given their time free of charge.

Nancy Campbell, Operations Manager, MS Therapy Centre said: “The place needs brightened up. We haven’t been able to afford to for the past ten years, as the centre costs so much to run, but thanks to the support of local tradesmen, we are about to see a transformation.

“We are, however, looking for people who are handy with a paintbrush and don’t mind helping out for a few hours. There is a lot of painting to be done, but I am sure it will be worth the effort and that our clients are going to love the new look. We are trying to create a more welcoming and therapeutic environment. “

One of the services offered at the MS Therapy Centre is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This takes place in a large decompression chamber, similar to the ones divers use. This is also part of the make-over plans, as Nancy explained: “We’ve commissioned a local artist to paint the outside of the chamber and create a ‘bubbles’ effect. Our clients talk about ‘going for a dive’ when they head into the chamber, so we have used this idea and I think it will make everybody smile when they see it.”

Once the internal makeover is complete, the centre is hoping to start on the outside of the building and is looking for a local artist to help in creating a graffiti-style mural for the steel shutters.

Volunteers who can help with the repainting are asked to contact the MS Therapy Centre on 0131 554 5384.

Times of the makeover:

Friday 8 February 2-6pm

Saturday 9 February 12-6pm

Sunday 10 February 12-6pm

New venue for Edinburgh Moonwalk

Leith Links will be the location for this year’s MoonWalk Edinburgh charity fundraiser, and while it’s a bit chilly to be thinking about such things just now, registration for the June event is now open!

New Year, New Moon, New You!

Grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is delighted to announce two new and very exciting Power Walking challenges for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland on June 8. The event is also being held at a brand new venue – Leith Links.

Sign up for the New Moon and you can join a huge sleepover. Not so much sleep, but you will be able to walk 6.6 miles, or get a team of four together to complete a Marathon between you. Best of all, whilst you wait for your turn to walk, you can snuggle up, eat popcorn and watch films in our huge pink tent. If you’ve never taken part in a Marathon, this is a great place to start.

Or if you are looking for the next extreme challenge, then the “Over the Moon” is for you. Two MoonWalks back to back, covering a distance of 52.4 miles!

Walk the Walk is still offering its famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) challenges, with all walkers uniting together to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

All walkers over the age of 13 wear Walk the Walk’s trademark brightly decorated bras. This year’s theme is “Psychedelic Extravaganza”, where the swinging 60’s meets 2013!

The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland has raised in excess of £15 million since it was launched eight years ago. Most of the money raised stays in Scotland, helping to improve the lives of people with cancer. More than £1.5 million was raised by the 2012 event alone.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk The Walk said: “Anybody can do The MoonWalk. I have seen many women and men over the years commit to taking part, with no idea of how they are actually going to achieve it. Most of them have never done any regular exercise, let along taken part in a Marathon.
It really is wonderful that with the support of thousands of people in Scotland, Walk the Walk has succeeded in raising more than £15 million, making a huge difference to the lives of cancer patients across Scotland. We also know from the many thousands of letters we receive, that by taking part in The MoonWalk, we are helping people to become fitter and healthier, changing their lives for the better. So, come and join our Magical Mystery Tour, a Psychedelic Extravaganza, where anything goes, as long as it is bright and bold”!

Entries for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland are now open. To enter and for more information about Walk the Walk, go to www.walkthewalk.org