Tag: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Inaugural Survival Challenge raises over £2,500 for Children’s Charity

A SURVIVAL challenge on one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks has helped to raise funds for an influential children’s charity.

Six brave teams of four from companies including Gilson Gray LLP, Accenture and Laing O’Rourke proved what they were made of by competing in an orienteering race and skill-testing challenges around Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.

With a number of outdoor challenges to complete, teams raced to the finish line and battled it out in the survival tasks, such as compass bearing, tent pitching, first aid, stove safety, and wildlife identification. They also had to prove their selfie-taking skills with five photo challenges as well as the classic survival tasks.

Each team committed to raise minimum of £500 in sponsorship for ECHC. Currently, the amount raised stands at £2,500 with further fundraising events planned to take place over the coming weeks.

Taking home the trophy at the end of the day in a landslide victory was the ‘Power Rangers’ from SP Energy Networks (below).

Tabby Blades, Assistant Corporate Fundraiser for ECHC, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part for their phenomenal efforts in completing Survival on the Seat.

“The money raised through the sheer determination of the teams will all go towards the work of the charity, helping children and their families to have more positive hospital experiences.

“As the inaugural Survival on the Seat challenge, we couldn’t be more thrilled with how much of a success the day was and we hope to repeat this again next year with even more teams and challenges.

“Being the warmest day of the year, it was a fantastic atmosphere with everyone enjoying the sunshine in the park. We couldn’t have asked for a better day for it.”

As a brand new fundraising initiative, ECHC teamed up with Friends of the Award (FOTA), an organisation which works in partnership with local authorities and schemes across the Edinburgh area to deliver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) and the Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS) achievement awards.

FOTA assisted by providing valuable expertise prior to the event and important resources such as tents and stoves to be used for challenges, as well as a number of volunteers to make the day run smoothly.

Neil Birch, Expedition Co-ordinator for FOTA said: “We were so pleased to support ECHC in the more practical elements of the first ever Survival on the Seat challenge.

“There was some uncertainty in the run up to the event about what the minimum weather conditions would have to be for the challenge to go ahead, but thankfully it was a great day for it.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating again next year to bring a bigger, better and more challenging Survival on the Seat with ECHC – but we’ll have to think of some new tasks to keep the teams on their toes.”

Tabby added: “We also must extend our thanks to the kind volunteers from FOTA – we simply couldn’t have delivered the event without their insight and assistance.

“The invaluable support from our fundraisers and partners helps us to transform the experience of children both in hospital and across community healthcare settings in Scotland, making sure they are a child first, and patient second.”

Four-legged recruits visit Children’s Hospital

YOUNG people at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children have been treated to a visit from Police Scotland’s newest four-legged recruits. German Shepherds, Otto and Karma, were named by children in the hospital thanks to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC). Continue reading Four-legged recruits visit Children’s Hospital

Dinosaurs come to life at children’s hospital!

YOUNGSTERS at an Edinburgh hospital have come face-to-face with a T-Rex and taken selfies with a Diplodocus thanks to an exciting new charity partnership. Children and families at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children were delighted to meet animatronic versions of the ancient creatures as part of an upcoming tour of the capital. Continue reading Dinosaurs come to life at children’s hospital!

Family set up fund with charity in memory of tragic loss of PJ

A young boy who sadly passed away due to a rare medical condition is being honoured through the creation of a fund held by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity in his name. West Lothian youngster Paul James Cockburn – who was universally known as PJ –  was just 12, when he died as a result of his condition, Short Bowel Syndrome. Continue reading Family set up fund with charity in memory of tragic loss of PJ

Local MSPs put politics aside to support Children’s Hospital Charity

Our local MSPs have joined forces to praise the work of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and have pledged to support its work across Scotland. Acknowledging the vital work of ECHC, Edinburgh Northern & Leith MSP Ben Macpherson and Alex Cole-Hamilton, who represents Edinburgh West, are encouraging their constituents to back the charity and its essential contribution to children’s services across the country. Continue reading Local MSPs put politics aside to support Children’s Hospital Charity

“You’re only as old as you feel”: Phil to tackle 2500 mile trek

A daring Edinburgh resident is set to undertake a gruelling trek from Hook of Holland to Istanbul covering more than 2,500 miles in order to raise money to support children and young people in hospital. Phil Crane, who embarks on the arduous expedition on his 69th birthday, is planning to walk through EIGHT countries in just seven months and follow in the footsteps of famous author Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor. Continue reading “You’re only as old as you feel”: Phil to tackle 2500 mile trek

Creatives hit the classroom to benefit Children’s Hospital charity

CHILDREN and young people in hospital have benefitted from a new partnership which saw graphic designers, animators, film-makers and other creatives head back to the classroom for legal lessons. Continue reading Creatives hit the classroom to benefit Children’s Hospital charity

First Minister pledges support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to support the work of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) in 2018 after visiting the charity’s exhibit at Holyrood and meeting with its Chief Executive. Continue reading First Minister pledges support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Children’s Hospital asks: ‘Santa, stop here one last time’

CHILDREN and young people spending their Christmas in hospital this year are set to have an extra special experience – to see snow falling on the hospital – thanks to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC). Continue reading Children’s Hospital asks: ‘Santa, stop here one last time’