fundraiser – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Comedy legends raise over £28,000 at Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit

Sixth annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit brings the total amount raised for The Brain Tumour Charity to over £138,000

Comedy stars Dara Ó Briain, Milton Jones, Rose Matafeo, Angela Barnes, Ian Smith, Carl Donnelly, Kanan Gill, Amy Gledhill, Takashi Wakasugi and James Roque came together last night (Tuesday 13^th August) in support of a special charity benefit at McEwan Hall.

The one-night-only show returned for its sixth year to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity – the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

It has been announced today {Wednesday 14^th Aug] that the 2024 Underbelly Big Brain Tumour Benefit has raised almost £15,000. (UPDATE -Thursday 15th: That total has risen to £28,000!) All the money raised will go to The Brain Tumour Charity – a cause which is very close to Underbelly’s heart. The annual show was inspired by seven-year-old Alfie Bartlam, son of Underbelly Director Ed and his wife Lucinda, who died of a brain tumour in 2019.

100% of the ticket income goes straight to The Brain Tumour Charity. This and an additional £1,541 in donations brought the total raised on the night to £14,428.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder, said: “A huge thank you to the amazing performers from last night, to the incredible audience members, and to everyone who contributed through our JustGiving page. Your support means so much to us.

“Underbelly is so proud to have raised £14,428 from last night’s show, with all box office income going directly to The Brain Tumour Charity and our specific fund to support an incredibly exciting paediatric brain tumour research and treatment project. Our goal is to raise £1.5 million by 2025 for this project.

“We’re doing this through a range of fundraising events and this annual Fringe show is an important part of that.”

Hannah Bowler, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are so proud to partner with Underbelly for the 6^th Big Brain Tumour Benefit and are grateful for their continued support and loyalty.

“The event is a much-loved part of the fringe, and it is wonderful to see the support received from the comedians, audience members and the brilliant Underbelly team.

“Partnerships like these are so important in helping us raise vital funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of a brain tumour. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and they reduce life expectancy by 27 years, the highest of any cancer and this must change.

“The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts with a goal of doubling survival rates and halving the harm that brain tumours have on the quality of life – and it is only through the support from so many people like Ed, Charlie and the brilliant Underbelly team that we can strive towards those goals.

“It’s fantastic that the Big Brain Tumour Benefit has returned this year and has been able to raise £14,428. Thank you all for your incredible support.”

Research into brain tumours is severely underfunded in the UK and yet represents the biggest cancer killer for under 40s.

Around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed each year but diagnosis times of childhood brain tumours are longer in the UK than in many other countries.

To further support the Brain Tumour Charity, please visit its Better Safe Than Tumour campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of a brain tumour to improve early diagnosis times.

Anyone who would like to contribute to this important cause, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/underbellysbigbraintumourbenefit2024

Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit is a one-night-only show. For more information on the wider programme for the remainder of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, please visit the website here.

Crumbs! Comedy troupe Biscuit Barrel kick off food bank fundraiser

Comedy troupe Biscuit Barrel kicked off their Edinburgh food bank fundraiser with a twist this week when members donned biscuit costumes and packed emergency food parcels at the Edinburgh Food Project warehouse.

Their Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Not Another 69-Sketch Show’ runs from 31 July – 26 August at the Gilded Balloon, and will help to support seven local food banks.

Audiences can contribute to the Edinburgh Food Project thanks to post-performance bucket collections and make a real difference to those struggling to afford the essentials.

Gregor Townsend launches Barnardo’s fundraiser

We are more used to seeing him sitting high up in the coach’s box at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on matchday, but Scotland Rugby Head Coach Gregor Townsend yesterday swapped one lofty position for another as he ascended the iconic Forth Bridge to help launch a much-loved Barnardo’s fundraiser.

The charity’s ‘Your View’ event – now in its sixth year – affords members of the public one of the most sought after and unique experiences in Scotland; namely the chance to ascend 361 feet up the historic bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience has brought joy to thousands and raised vital funds for the work of Barnardo’s Scotland.

Gregor Townsend said: “I have long admired the work that Barnardo’s Scotland undertakes to support thousands of children, young people and their families across the country, so it is a pleasure to be a part of the launch of this year’s Your View event.

“Standing on top of the world-famous Forth Bridge has been a superb experience – the views are amazing – and I would encourage people to take this rare opportunity to climb the bridge. As well as enjoying this bucket-list moment, you will also be contributing to the work of Barnardo’s as it continues to do so much to help young people all over Scotland.”

Your View 2024, which is run in conjunction with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, will take place from Friday, 20^th to Sunday, 22^nd September, with tickets going on sale at 10am on Thursday (20^th June).

To date, more than 5,200 visitors have experienced the event and there have been no fewer than ten marriage proposals on the vertiginous viewing platform.

Best of all, though, the event has raised more than £325,000 to fund the work of Barnardo’s Scotland. To find out more, or to book tickets for the event, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/events/your-view-forth-bridge.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Your View is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those lucky enough to secure a ticket. Not only is it a never-to-be-forgotten experience for those atop the iconic bridge, it is also a crucial fundraiser for Barnardo’s Scotland as we continue to support children, young people and their families throughout the country.

“We cannot thank Gregor Townsend enough for his support for the event and the wider work of our charity. I must admit that it was one of the more surreal moments of my career to be alongside the Scotland Rugby Head Coach more than 350 feet above the Firth of Forth!”

Martin Crewe added: “As I am often reminded, tickets for Your View sell out very quickly indeed, so I would urge all of those keen to attend to sign up as quickly as possible. And, who knows, we might even get to enjoy another Your View wedding proposal this year!

“Your View would not be possible without the generosity of Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, and I wish to thank both organisations and our wonderful volunteers for making this special weekend happen.”

Colin Hardie, Construction Superintendent for Balfour Beatty, said: “At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. The Your View event is one example of how we do just that, raising valuable funds to support disadvantaged children and families in Scotland.

“It has been an honour to work alongside Barnardo’s Scotland once again, to offer members of the public this memorable experience on one of the most iconic, unique and admired structures in the world – the Forth Bridge.”

Also featuring over the weekend will be the famous ‘Briggers’. The Briggers are a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers based in South Queensferry. Named after the bridge workers, the group was formed to identify the names of the 73 men and boys who died constructing the Forth Bridge, they provide details on the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction.

In the past year, Barnardo’s has provided essential support to more than 11,500 children, young people, parents and carers in Scotland through more than 150 specialised community-based services and partnerships across the country.

The charity works to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life.

To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.

FetLor Swimathon

20th APRIL 5 – 8pm at WESTWOODS HEALTH CLUB

One of our amazing parents Traci Gaven has organised a Swimathon to raise funds for Fetlor to support our exciting summer programme we have planned.

The Swimathon is for young people who attend FetLor and their parents – we will be swimming as many lengths as we can in 2 hours to see how far we can cover.

Young people can swim without their parents.

As this is a Fundraiser, young people taking part will have a Sponsor Sheet which they can collect from FetLor and the parents, we would appreciate you sharing the just giving page created by Traci.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/tracy-gaven-1711086353602…

The Swimathon will take place at West woods on Saturday 20th April 5 – 8pm.

If you would be interested in being involved please complete the sign up form: https://forms.gle/auXm2Bo97EP2f4bT6

#FETLOR100

Good Friday Cake Sale

We’re celebrating all things sweet this Easter with our very own Charity Cake Sale!

We’re on the lookout for local contributors & donors, so if you fancy yourself as the next Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood LET US KNOW!

We welcome all SWEET DONATIONS

We can help with ideas, recipes, kitchen space, and, where we have available, some supplies.

Drop us a message, or pop in for a coffee and chat if you’d like to support us and get involved.

If you’d just like to donate, please drop off by deadline 3pm Thursday 28th March.

We may even have a wee Best Cake competition!

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GRANTON SALVATION ARMY SERVICES.

Fet Lor Centenary Dinner

FETTES COLLEGE on 24th MAY

As part of our Centenary Celebrations we will be having a Black Tie Dinner at Fettes College on the 24th of May.

This will be a great opportunity to throw on your best clothes and celebrate 100 Years of Fetlor, Here’s to 100 more.

Tickets will be £100 a head, with a silent auction and raffle on the night with lots of great prizes to win.

For further information or ticket purchasing please email: Richie@fetlor.org.uk

Hope to see you there,

-The Fetlor team

NSPCC urges people to Walk for Children

Scottish landmarks illuminated in support of the charity this Christmas

As landmarks across Scotland and the UK are set to light up green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC, the charity is calling on the public to rally friends and family to take part in a Walk for Children.

Buildings and landmarks, including the Falkirk Wheel, Glasgow Science Centre and Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura will be going green on the night of December 22 in support of the children’s charity and the help it provides young people in their darkest hours.

Other sites in Scotland lighting up for the NSPCC include Dalkeith Country Park, West Lothian Civic Centre, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Dundee Science Centre and the Titan Crane in Clydebank.

The NSPCC is calling on families and friends across the country to get together and sign up to walk 5km that night to raise vital funds for the charity and its Childline service, which will have counsellors on hand to answer life-changing calls throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.

Caroline Renton, NPSCC Scotland Supporter Fundraising Manager, said: “Our Childline service is expecting a child to contact them every 45 seconds this Christmas, and while it’s free for them to contact the service over the phone or internet, every counselling session costs the charity around £4.

“For children facing abuse, the winter nights can be long and lonely, and we want all children to know that Childline is here for them, even on the darkest nights. We rely on public donations for around 90% of our funding, and by joining us on December 22 you can help Childline answer more life-changing calls.

“Whether you’re enjoying mulled wine and mince pies on the way around, wearing reindeer antlers, Santa hats or light-up accessories, or just pulling on your warmest coats and hats and enjoying the view, you’ll be helping Childline be a lifeline for children this Christmas.”

While children are at home for the holidays, they are cut off from other support systems, which means the Childline service is vitally important at Christmas.

Last Christmas, Childline delivered more than 1,000 high-risk counselling sessions, with 64% of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark. Childline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Last year, hundreds of people walked 5k on the longest night of the year and raised over £100,000 to help fund vital NSPCC services, like Childline.

It costs £10 to sign up for Walk for Children and participants are asked to try and raise £100 to help fund the charity’s vital work and keep more children safe this Christmas. Everyone who signs up will receive a fundraising pack with everything needed to plan a walk, resources to use on the day, and an NSPCC t-shirt.

To find out more or sign up for this year’s Walk for Children, click here or go to www.nspcc.org.uk and search ‘WALK FOR CHILDREN’ – anyone who uses the promo code WALK25 will get a 25% discount on their registration fee.

NSPCC Scotland also needs volunteers to help at collections in December. If you can spare a few hours to assist, email: Sandra.Jones2@nspcc.org.uk (Glasgow) or Fiona.Milne@nspcc.org.uk (Aberdeen).

Barratt Developments raises more than £90,000 for hospice care at Edinburgh charity ball

The UK’s largest housebuilder has raised £90,244 for hospice and end of life care in the East of Scotland at its recent charity ball.

Barratt Developments, which includes David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes, welcomed more than 450 guests to the EICC in Edinburgh on Friday 8^th September – with attendees enjoying an auction, comedy performance from Larry Dean and live music from Manhattan.

All proceeds from the evening went to St Columba’s Hospice Care which provides world-leading hospice care to those based in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

As this year’s main charity for the housebuilder’s East Scotland division, Barratt Developments has so far raised a total of £157,024 for St Columba’s Hospice Care through fundraising, including a Pentland Hills walk and office events.

The 2023 sum has already exceeded last year’s efforts, which totalled £109,000.

Jon Heggie, Director of Income Generation at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “The ball was a fantastic event, and typified the attitude we’ve seen and enjoyed from Barratt over the course of our partnership.

“They’ve really pulled out all the stops to raise as much money as they can for us, as well as spending time here helping with recent ward renovations and volunteering to paint some fences and maintain the grounds.

“The difference they’ve made to the hospice as a charity partner really is tangible and will directly benefit hundreds of patients and their families right across Edinburgh and East Lothian. On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I’d like to say a massive thank you.”

Alison Condie, Managing Director at Barratt Developments East Scotland, said: “Giving back to the communities in which we build has always been a priority across all Barratt Developments’ divisions.

“In the East of Scotland, we’ve formed a strong relationship with St Columba’s Hospice Care over the last few years and have been continuing to raise funds for the essential care its team provides.

“We’ve already surpassed last year’s fundraising total, a feat we could not have achieved without the generous donations from guests and our colleagues who have given up their time to fundraise or take part in a physical challenge.

“The money raised will help support those who need it most in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, providing them with the very best care.”

Amanda Southey, Hospice Corporate Manager at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “First and foremost I’d like to thank the team at Barratt for choosing St Columba’s Hospice Care as their charity partner.

“The partnership has worked really well, and I think both parties have really enjoyed it, and gained a lot from it.

“The fundraising they have done has been absolutely inspirational, and they’ve really jumped at the chance to help in other areas at every opportunity.”

For more information on Barratt Developments in Scotland, please visit:

www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/scotland-east/

TONIGHT: A Celebration of Music

Join our guest organist Oli Kelly and the church choir tonight Friday 19 May at 7pm for a charity recital and concert in aid of Drake Music Scotland.

The event is free but we would ask for donations to the work of Drake Music Scotland who provide music making opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

The concert will last approximately 1 hour 20 mins and will be followed by refreshments. The concert will feature Oli Kelly on the organ and after a short interval Oli will conduct the church choir in a selection of pieces ranging from Palestrina to Howard Goodall.

You can learn more about the work of Drake Music Scotland at:

https://drakemusicscotland.org

itison launches its most important Social Bite fundraiser yet during cost-of-living crisis

Annual £5 fundraiser aims to provide over 100,000 meals and gifts for homeless people

As thousands of people face hardship this winter and the demands on charities to provide support increases, Scottish-based business, itison, launches the eighth year of its Social Bite campaign, asking big-hearted Scots to donate £5 at www.itison.com/donate to buy over 100,000 meals and gifts for homeless people this Christmas.

The cost-of-living-crisis, as well as continued impact of the pandemic, has meant this year has been one of the toughest on record for families and individuals, and the £5 fundraiser aims to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society can enjoy a hot meal and a gift this festive season, and meals throughout the year.

Running since 2014, the annual Christmas appeal has raised an incredible £3 million and 700,000 donations to those who need it most, and last year, despite the hardship felt by many following the pandemic, over 100,000 donations were made, with an impressive 63% coming from new contributors across the country, showing just how selfless Scots can be.

In addition to the 100,000 meals and gifts supplied through Social Bite, along with itison they will also be donating the first £20,000 raised to Spirit of Christmas which gives Christmas presents to children living in poverty in around Glasgow, where the business is based.

Oli Norman, CEO at itison said: “This year has been exceptionally tough and the most vulnerable in our society have been hit the hardest.

“More people than ever before are struggling, and Christmas for homeless people and families is an especially challenging time. Every year we are blown away by the generosity of our members, and this year, at a time when support is needed more than ever, our hope is to raise enough through our Social Bite campaign to feed homeless people for the entire year”.

Josh Littlejohn, Co-founder of Social Bite said: “Back in 2014 we started working with itison on our annual fundraiser, with a target of 800 Christmas dinners. We ended up receiving over 32,000 donations meaning we could feed homeless people coming to our cafes for the whole year.

“Our annual itison fundraiser continues to exceed our expectations every year and has dramatically shaped the work we can do at Social Bite.

“We couldn’t do it without you and would love you to join us in sharing kindness this Christmas, please share it with all your friends and help the people who need it the very most this year.”

In Scotland, Social Bite’s Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen cafes will open their doors to the homeless on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 1100 – 1600 to serve Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, offering food and company at what is one of the loneliest times of the year for many.

As well as providing food to those in need and providing gifts, itison members’ donations have previously helped fund the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, providing housing, support, and a huge range of services to break the cycle of homelessness.

Social Bite is currently working hard and fundraising to build two brand-new villages in two new Scottish cities, their ongoing aim is to continue supporting people experiencing homelessness into employment, and 1 in 4 of its team has a background of homelessness. Your donation is not only providing a meal or gift but also helping Social Bite to break the cycle of homelessness through systemic change.

To donate £5 to buy a Christmas dinner for a homeless person or give a Christmas gift for children, families and vulnerable individuals visit www.itison.com/donate (it makes a great Secret Santa gift or stocking filler too!)