Drylaw Telford Community Council meets tonight

Drylaw Telford Community Council hold their last meeting of 2014 tonight in Drylaw Neighbourhood centre (off Groathill Road North).

The meeting starts at 7pm – all welcome.

For further information visit www.drylawtelfordcc.co.uk

The Edinburgh Budget Crisis

Balancing Edinburgh’s budget isn’t a game, writes Granton and District Community Council secretary DAVE MACNAB:

The council is on record that it needs to save £67 million from the budget over the next three years.

Whilst they have been encouraging citizens to complete the ‘budget challenge’ – the real information is not in the ‘playing’ of the budget game (this just shows that difficult decisions are sometimes needed) but within the proposals that are on the ‘table’.

This is where the reality sits. This is what could be in store for the citizens of Edinburgh if we sit back and wait for it to happen.

The cuts are real.

There will be reductions in the service. Things will stop being done.

A brief glimpse at what could happen – based on information taken from the Council budget web site and meetings:

Education Welfare Officers cut from 18 to 16 (jobs lost)
Community Centres – the budget proposals states:

“redesign the service to meet local needs using co-production models”.

Now you may be wondering just what that means.

At a meeting for Community Centre management boards on 20 November we were told that this could mean setting up social enterprise models that need to make a profit, owned and managed by the community or other self-financing models.

Do the current management boards have the capacity and capability to undertake these roles? The audience at the meeting was not convinced.

There is no point talking about empowerment if there is no investment in the people within the communities who will be asked to undertake this type of ‘work’. And it is work – it is no longer volunteering – it becomes a business model that needs accountancy skills so that the books are balanced, people who know employment law if they are to employ staff directly, business managers to project plan the activities.

What would be the role of the current staff in the Centres if it was decided to go down a particular business model route? I don’t know – so many unanswered questions.

Leisure Centres (e.g. Ainslie Park) the report highlights “It is likely that the scale of the reductions identified may lead to facility closure”.
Staff – there is a hope to reduce sickness absence across the council workforce. There is an irony here. As posts are not filled and a recruitment freeze – this of course puts pressure on those in jobs, thus increasing their levels of stress and of course increasing levels of sickness absence!
Parking charges – increase in permit and on street charges
Increase in charges for allotments
Close public toilets – Granton Square to close?
“Proposed to accelerate and extend the development of the ‘Living Landscapes’ approach” – or put another way – let grass areas grow wild.
“Five libraries recategorised leading to a reduction in opening hours in Piershill, Corstorphine (from 51 to 42 hours) and Sighthill, Granton and Kirkliston (from 42 hours to 32 hours).” Cut in library hours.

This is the reality of the situation.

Spending on public services in Britain is set to fall to the lowest share of national income since 1938 which is a sign of how dramatically the UK government’s austerity programme is reshaping the state. The Child Poverty Action Group stated in August of this year that “more people are income-deprived in Edinburgh than in any other local authority area except Glasgow and North Lanarkshire”.

Two-fifths of adults aged 45 to 64 with below-average incomes have a limiting long- term illness, more than twice the rate for adults of the same age with above-average incomes in areas of economic deprivation – of which north Edinburgh has its share.

To mitigate some of the worst excesses of the impact of poverty and exclusion the council advocates that Community Learning and Development (CLD) will play a “pivotal role” (a direct quote from a council paper). Yet at the same time this part of the organisation is hit with a budget cut of over £2million. So how do you square this with the intention towards getting rid of poverty?

It is all very well suggesting that there can be an increase in volunteering opportunities – but do the volunteers have the necessary skills to deal with and help break down social isolation amongst adults and young people – it’s not just a case of turning up.

We need to be clear on what we want to save. What is worth preserving.

We can sit back, have fun playing the ‘budget’ game and hope for the best. Or decide that these services are our services. That the libraries are our libraries. The Community Centres and Leisure Centres are ours. That we will do something about it.

We will be campaigning to raise awareness on what is at stake and giving you an opportunity of having your say. Tell your councillor. Go to your respective Community Council meetings, go to public meetings and get your voice heard.

Dave Macnab

Community Councillor – Granton and District Community Council

www.grantonanddistrictcommunitycouncil.com

Contact nabs89@blueyonder.co.uk

Living in Harmony double-date

The Living in Harmony Forum meets tonight

Tuesday 25 November from 5.30 -7.30pm

at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

The group has also set a date for a Chat Café at Granton Youth Centre next month – see below

community chat cafe poster december

Rachel Farrier (Development Worker, Living in Harmony)

Pilton Community Health Project

Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council

JAMES McGINTY reports on Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council’s annual general meeting:

The Community Council held their Annual General Meeting in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre on 20 October. Eight people were present to hear Chairperson Roy Douglas welcome everyone, gave the apologies for the four councillors and introduce guest speaker Christine Mackay, manager of the Total Craigroyston project.

Mr Douglas then stated that “during the meeting we would be looking at the year past and the year ahead.” The Chairperson later laid out in the form of a document the aims and goals of the Community Council and listed the achievements for 2013/14.

He highlighted the community council’s input to the Pennywell & Muirhouse Master Plan and new Health Partnership Hub and the support given to local groups and organisations in the Muirhouse.

These groups and organisations to benefit from the Council’s support were:

The Centipede project (The Old Kirk and Muirhouse Church) started by Linda Dunbar, who has now moved on to a new position within the Church of Scotland.
The highly acclaimed Community Shop in Pennywell shopping centre.
My Adventure and the forthcoming £200 donation to the bothy project in the borders from the Community Council.
Assisting Friends of Linear Park and finally cleaning up the lane between Salvesen and the Waterfront.

The Financial Report was then discussed and approved.

Guest speaker Christine Mackay (above) then gave an in depth report on the Total Craigroyston project and conducted a question and answer session centred on this far reaching and ambitious Project.

WPC Helen Lyon (above) gave a police report, highlighting the area’s problems and the steps towards alleviating them.

All in all, a very well structured and transparent AGM, but we would ask members of the community to come along and give more support to what is your own communities’ council – especially as more powers are being handed down from the City of Edinburgh Council.

James McGinty

Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council

North Edinburgh Theatre: play your part!

News from Stephanie at the North Edinburgh Theatre Project:

Hello everyone,

Music Workshop

This is a special reminder for everyone who is interested in the music side of the 1d Tenement Opera project:

Lynda Peachey, our Musical Director, is leading a Music Workshop on Saturday 11 October (11a.m. – 2p.m) at North Edinburgh Arts.

Design & Costume

Ali Maclaurin, our Designer, is leading a Costume and Design Workshop on Saturday (11 October) 11a.m. – 2p.m. at North Edinburgh Arts.

You are very welcome to join in with these Workshops, even if you are not a regular participant; it will be great fun and of course we have a crèche, as well as tea and coffee during the break.

Our regular Theatre Workshop is on Friday 10 October 6 pm – 8pm at North Edinburgh Arts.

Please get in contact if you have any questions and we look forward to welcoming you.

Stephanie Knight,
North Edinburgh Theatre project

01578 750694

0 7817 359703
stephaniejaneknight@gmail.com

Living in Harmony: the next steps

And this has nothing to do with the referendum aftermath …!

Living in Harmony Multicultural Forum

Come along to help us think about future activities that can bring all our communities together, and hear about what is already going on in North Edinburgh for your community.

Tuesday 30 September 5.30-7.30pm
North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Road

Creche and language support available but must be booked in advance.

Contact Rachel Farrier to book or for more information:

Call 551 1671 or email lih@pchp.org.uk

Porty pottery – do you dig it?

Residents in Portobello are being urged to take a closer look at their own back gardens this weekend to help archaeologists uncover the secrets of the area’s once-thriving pottery industry.

The area has a rich industrial heritage, with a ceramics industry that thrived in the town for more than 200 years.

Dig Portobello, an initiative from Portobello Heritage Trust (PHT) which is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, will see small trenches dug to examine potteries from Portobello’s past.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh has a fascinating history and this project will really allow members of the community to discover sections of Portobello – and their own back gardens – that have been buried for almost 250 years. Budding archaeologists don’t even need to have their own garden to dig in as selected pieces of council-land will also be unearthed.”

Portobello Heritage Trust’s chair Margaret Munro said: “We can’t wait to start digging. We are very proud of our heritage, but want to know more about our industries. This project gives everyone in the community the chance to find out more over an exciting weekend of activities.”

Get involved

The people of Portobello are being encouraged to sign up and dig a small trench no more than 1m x 2m in size in their gardens, with the guidance of professional archaeologists. Those without gardens or people from outside the area can also take part, as the council has given permission for test pits to be dug on selected areas of council-owned land.

A range of activities will take place over the weekend, all based at or starting from The Wash House Community Centre on Adelphi Grove. Volunteers of all abilities are encouraged to sign up for free geophysical survey training on Friday 29 August at 12pm and an introductory talk at 7:30pm. The archaeological explorations will take place from 10am on Saturday 30 August–Sunday 31 August.

The project will also provide guided walks around Portobello and a range of drop-in workshops, including sessions on ceramics, artefacts, and ‘Wee Pottery Workshops’ for children. The full timetable and information on how to sign up can be found at AOC Archaeology.

To sign up for the geophysical survey training, to take part in the excavations, or to register your children, please contact the Portobello Heritage Trust with details of which days you would like to participate. Please specify whether you are digging in your own garden, and please let them know of the address.

Contact Margaret Munro of the Portobello Heritage Trust on 0131 657 2866 or munroporto(at)hotmail.com

North Edinburgh Arts launches Autumn programme

Summer’s almost over, but cheer up – North Edinburgh Arts have just launched their exciting Autumn programme!

The holidays are over but the fun doesn’t have to be!

North Edinburgh Arts can’t wait to see you all back again to enjoy our packed Autumn programme.

Activities for Children

Join Alice in Zoo Arts every Wednesday from 4.00 – 5.30pm. These visual art sessions are for local young artists (9-14 years) who would like to be inspired, improve their creative skills and get involved with exciting visual art projects that run on a 2-4 week basis. Sessions are 50p per child which includes a healthy snack. Follow them onFacebook here.

Thursday and Saturday mornings see the return of Create, our very popular creative, messy play project for 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers. The sessions demonstrate resourceful and inspiring ways to actively learn with your wee ones. These drop-in sessions run from 10am -12noon and are are 50p per child per session. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.

Eco Kidz is back with more ideas to turn recylcing into crafty, sellable items. Learn a variety of skills in these fun sessions including art, design, craft, marketing and retailing. The group will eventually go on to sell items made in these weekly sessions. Eco-Kidz is on Friday, 1.45 – 3.15pm and all sessions are free. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.

If you’re looking for a way to burn off some energy and get creative on a Saturday morning, NEA has everything you need . Along with our Create sessions, we also runart and danceworkshops for children aged 5-12 years. Between 10am – 12noon, the two age groups (5-8 and 9-12years) alternate between high energy dance sessions and colourful art and craft workshops. A healthy snack is provided half way through and it only costs 50p. Arrive in plenty of time as these popular drop in sessions are always busy!

Programme for Adults

The North Edinburgh Theatre Project is working on a very exciting project, 1d Tenement Opera project for production in January 2015 and you are very welcome to join.

Join in if you are interested in singing, dancing, making costumes, lighting & sound, making sets, drawing and designing, writing for the blog and doing stories, photography, social history, making sure the people of North Edinbrugh tell the stories… and spreading more whispers and rumours about the project.

If you are interested in some of the activities and you would like to find out more, please contact box office on 0131 315 2151.

United We Stand, 17^th October, 7.30pm
Townsend Productions presents a powerful new play by Neil Gore based on the true story of one of the most turbulent industrial battles – the 1972 Builders’ Strike.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.00 good neighbours.
townsendproductions.org.uk

The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
24^th October, 7.00 – 8.00pm
The SMHAFF is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural events. North Edinburgh Timebank Temptation singers showcase the transforming power of communal singing in their performance of various rock, folk, pop and world music titled ‘Lean on Me’.
Tickets are free. Booking is advised.
www.mhfestival.com

Lockerbie: Lost Voices, 31^st October, 7.30pm
Lee Geshuny’s new play follows six passengers onto Pam Am Flight 103 destroyed over Lockerbie by a bomb in 1988. Tribute to those who tried to uncover the truth about the tragedy.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.50 good neighbours.
www.sacc.org.uk/articles/2013/lockerbie-lost-voices

Luminate Festival 1^st – 31^st october
If Luminate has one message, it’s that creativity has no age. Luminate includes new work, collaborations and international projects specially planned and programmed for the festival, as well as independently-run projects led by a wide range of cultural and community organisations.
www.luminatescotland.org

To book tickets for any of the above events, call box office on 0131 315 2151 or emailadmin@northedinburgharts.co.uk.

Pop-In Cafe

Our Pop-In Cafe is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm and Saturday 10am – 12noon. We use ingredients grown in our very own garden and Michele cooks up delicious specials every day to make lunch time a real treat. We also serve delicous freshly ground coffee and home made cakes everyday. See full menu here.

NEA Garden

The NEA garden run Tuesday afternoon drop-in sessions, 1-5pm for families and 16+ years (children must be accompanied). Learn how to grow your own vegetables, herbs and other useful gardening skills in these free sessions run by Valla, outr community gardener. If you would like to be involved in the garden outside of these sessons, please contact Valla directly at northedinburghgrows@gmail.com. Keep up to date on their blog here.

Full Autumn Programme here

STV’s Real Heroes – Fet-Lor features this Friday

Crewe Road South’s Fet-lor Youth Club and Serenity Cafe from Dumbiedykes will feature on STV’s Real Heroes this Friday

STV’s brand new series of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes kicked off again on Friday. Presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the STV series celebrates people whose tireless effort, resourcefulness, and kindness has improved local communities across Scotland.

The nominees were selected by a special jury and will feature in a series of programmes every Friday evening. Across the five episodes, ‘star reporters’ visit each of the nominees to interview them about their work in the community and their thoughts on the nomination for a Real Hero award.

The star reporters this year include The X Factor runner-up Nicholas McDonald, actress Clare Grogan, Taggart star Alex Norton and actor Bill Paterson.

The year’s shortlist includes deserving Scots from Wick to West Lothian, and Skye to South Lanarkshire, recognising the amazing work local people are undertaking in their communities across the country. The categories include Carer of the Year, Young Real Hero of the Year, and a new award for Hero Animal of the Year.

At the end of each programme viewers are invited to vote for the nominees they believe most deserve to win a Scotland’s Real Heroes Award, with the overall winners being celebrated at a glittering televised awards ceremony later in the year.

Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV, said: “The time has come to highlight the outstanding work modestly carried out by the finalists of the series RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes. We look forward to celebrating the enormous achievement of all of the nominees. Each story tells of a remarkable accomplishment and is very moving – all the finalists are considered to be most deserving however it is the STV viewers that decide who will pick up an award.”

Chris Wilson, Royal Bank of Scotland’s Managing Director of Branch and Private Banking in Scotland, said: “Everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland is looking forward to finding out more about this year’s incredible finalists. We think it’s important to celebrate those people who go that extra mile for their community. Each one of the finalists is deserving of recognition and we are all looking forward to seeing who the public choose.”

For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes or get involved on Twitter #scotlandsrealheroes or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotrealheroes

RBS FINDING SCOTLAND’S REAL HEROES 2014

THE FINALISTS

CARER OF THE YEAR

Nell Graham (Portobello Monday Centre) Portobello, Edinburgh

Clare Grogan visits Nell who runs the Portobello Monday Centre, for people who have dementia. The club offers a break for their carers whilst also providing fun filled activities and a homemade lunch for the members.

Maw’s Mafia (The EK Hangout) East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire

Carol Smillie meets this group of four mums who set up The EK Hangout, a club for young adults with learning disabilities, which allows them to set up strong friendships with people their own age and have some fun. All the ‘Maws’ have sons who attend the club and they care for at home.

Anne Swartz (Scottish Kinship Care Alliance) Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire

Ron Donachie visits Anne who is a full time kinship carer for her three grandchildren and is the chairperson of the Scottish Kinship Care Alliance. Anne works tirelessly to improve the provision for children in Kinship care.

COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Jim McConkey Govan, Glasgow

Sanjeev Kohli meets Jim who invents safety gadgets in his garden shed for the pensioners in his community.

Vicki McCarthy (REACH for Autism) Greenock, Inverclyde

Paul Brannigan meets Vicki – the mother of an autistic daughter who set up specialist centre and social enterprise cafe for autistic people and their families.

Ross Cowie (Lucky2BHere) Portree, Isle of Skye

Jayd Johnson travels to Skye to meet Ross Cowie who set up ‘Lucky2BHere’ which provides training and defibrillators to public places across Skye and now Scotland. Ross set up the enterprise after he suffered a cardiac arrest in 2007.

RBS – COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Fet-Lor Pilton, Edinburgh

Paul Brannigan visits the oldest youth club in Scotland (pictured top), which provides constructive after school activities in a safe environment to young people in an under-privileged area of Edinburgh. The group also puts members through the Duke of Edinburgh Award so they have something positive to put on their CVs when leaving school.

The Driving Force Bonnybridge, Falkirk

Alex Norton spends the day with the volunteers of ‘The Driving Force’ who provide free hospital transport to cancer patients and people with other long-term illnesses. This service gives people with cancer the opportunity to regain a sense of purpose by hiring them as volunteer drivers.

The Serenity Cafe Holyrood, Edinburgh

Carol Smillie visits this special cafe (pictured below) which is run by people in recovery from addiction. It is used by people in recovery and open to public customers too. This safe-haven also provides volunteer opportunities for those in recovery. The cafe is a focal point for various activity groups such as a running club, guitar group and sewing group.

SPORTING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Elaine McKenna (Special Olympics Lothian) Blackburn, West Lothian

Des Clarke meets Elaine who coaches a multi sport group and football team for people with learning disabilities. From carpet bowls, to new age kurling and boccia – some of her students have gone on to represent team GB at the Special Olympics.

Pat Bannan (Bannan Fitness Club) Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire

Stephen Purdon meets Pat – a 66 year old who is passionate about keeping everyone in his community fit and healthy. From tots to pensioners, everyone is welcome at the Bannan Fitness Club.

Andrew Campbell (Camran Taekwondo) Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire

Jayd Johnson meets this taekwondo instructor who provides low cost and sometimes free lessons for kids in his area, teaching them the ethos of this popular martial art. Andrew has even coached a few medal winners over the years!

HERO ANIMAL OF THE YEAR

Barra the dog (K9 Search and Recovery Scotland) Luss, Argyll & Bute

Alex Norton meets Barra the dog – a trained search and recovery dog whose specialist skill is submerged victim recovery. Barra is trained to find the scent of missing people underwater and has helped bring closure to many families across Scotland.

Sid the horse (Aberdeen RDA) Milltimber, Aberdeen

STV’s Andrea Brymer visits Sid the Horse – a much loved member of the team at ‘Riding for the Disabled Aberdeen’. Sid’s great temperament means he is the ideal horse for the riders who all have learning and physical disabilities.

Ben the dog (Therapet) Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire

Ron Donachie meets Ben, a ‘therapet’ who regularly visits the acute stroke ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where patients can sit with him, pet him and talk to him. Offering comfort in stressful times, Ben is loved by the patients and the ward staff.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Bathgate Street Pastors Bathgate, West Lothian

Jennifer Reoch spends a busy Saturday night with this group who help keep the people of Bathgate safe on nights out. Their Saturday night involves handing out flip-flops to girls struggling in heels, providing a listening service to those who’ve had a bit too much to drink, handing out alarms to young women as well as keeping them safe in taxis. This is all voluntarily.

Jackie McIntosh(MS Therapy Centre) Inverness, Highlands

Kelly Cates meets this wonder woman who single-handedly raises £140,000 a year to keep the MS Therapy Centre running. It’s down to Jackie that this vital service is kept running and was saved from closure.

Margaret Gibb (West of Scotland Play Scheme) Bellshill, South Lanarkshire

Clare Grogan meets Margaret who has given over 30 years of her life to the young people of Bellshill with her playgroups and play-schemes. This group have been used as a model for the 300 plus play-schemes now running across the west of Scotland.

HERO NEIGHBOUR OF THE YEAR

Ann Graham Riverside, Stirling

Anita Manning meets this hero neighbour who not only organises local flood defences, neighbourhood clean-ups and a beautiful orchard, she also delivers handmade cakes and Sunday lunches to her doting neighbours.

Mo and Roxy Razzaq Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Carol Smillie visits the owners of the neighbourhood shop who provide deliveries to the elderly and disabled, a ‘losers lotto’ to regular customers. Mo and Roxy run the local football team, give milk and groceries to the primary school, as well as giving two pence charge for carrier bags to local charities.

Margaret (Garry) Robertson Wick, Caithness

Kelly Cates visits ‘Garry’ who lives in sheltered housing. Garry arranges activities and days out for others in the home whilst volunteering at the local scouts, running a chess class at the primary school and helping as treasurer at a bell ringing group. On top of all this Garry assists the local archives, and mentors people with mental health issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Saltburn Woodland Walk Invergordon, Highlands

Ron Donachie visits Bob and Sandy. They are a pair of retired friends who have dedicated years to regenerating an area of Invergordon. What was formally an aluminium smelter has been transformed into a lovely woodland walk. All the work was carried out with their bare hands and a small tractor.

Yooz Reuse & Recycling Bellshill, North Lanarkshire

John Amabile visits this social enterprise which provides products from recycled building materials for people to buy at a reduced rate. All profits go to the Scottish sporting centre of excellence for disabled people.

Killie Can Cycle Kilmarnock, East Ayshire

Bill Paterson meets the children’s charity that recycles aluminium cans for money. This allows them to buy parts for fixing up bikes that in turn are sold back to the local community at a very low cost.

SCOTLAND’S YOUNG REAL HERO OF THE YEAR

Danii McArthur (Young Carer) Barrhead, Glasgow

Sharon Rooney meets Danii (18) who cares for her ill mother and two younger sisters whilst also having diabetes herself. On top of this she highlights the plight of young carers by giving talks and putting on workshops. Danii is also working towards her dream of becoming a primary teacher by volunteering at her old school.

Mitchell Kinnen (Bright Lights Theatre Group) Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Jayd Johnson meets trainee primary teacher Mitchell (18) who set up and runs the theatre group for people of all ages in his area, only charging £1 for the class. Anyone of any age is welcome at Bright Lights no matter what their level of ability.

The Volunteers of the Glasgow 77^th (Disabled) Scout Group Glasgow

Stephen Purdon meets the volunteers at this very special Scout Group for boys aged 8-25 with physical disabilities and life limiting conditions. All the volunteers are in their teens or early twenties and pair up one-on-one with a member of the group.

SCOTLAND’S REAL HEROES COURAGE AWARD

Dean Reilly (Dean Reilly vs MS) Portobello, Edinburgh

Mark Beaumont meets Dean who has multiple sclerosis, but won’t let it limit his life. He fundraises for the MS Therapy Centre in Leith through a range of tough challenges. Dean is currently in training for a boxing match with ‘The Celtic Warrior.’

Amanda MacTaggart (Wig Bank Glasgow) Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire

Jennifer Reoch visits Amanda who has overcome breast cancer and set up the ‘Wig Bank’ in Clydebank to provide a relaxed and comfortable service for female chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair.

Jenny Cook (Wee Jenny Cook) East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire

Nicholas McDonald surprises Jenny with a visit to her car boot fundraiser. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at four years old, she has since raised over £30,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity and the Catherine McEwan foundation. Jenny is also a Yorkhill buddy, providing support for other sick children.