In memory of Frankie

Charity match will raise funds for local youth project

In 2005, Frank McEwan, a local Pilton lad in his twenties, tragically died of cancer. It is a tribute to his vibrant personality that, ten years on, several of his friends wish to pay tribute to him.

Frank, known as Frankie to his friends, was a keen and gifted footballer who played for West Pilton Albion FC. It is therefore fitting that the tribute is in the form of a football match – West Pilton Albion Veterans v Lauriston Thistle.

This will take place at East Pilton Park on Saturday 1 August, kick off 2 pm. As well as the match itself, there will be other attractions like Beat the Goalie, Spot the Ball and a raffle with some excellent prizes generously donated by local businesses. Refreshments will also be served.

As well as a fitting way to honour Frankie’s life, this should prove a really good community event. All proceeds will be donated to Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, which works tirelessly to improve life for local young people and is a cause his friends have no doubt Frankie would have approved of.

More information can be found on Facebook page – Frank McEwan Memorial Match. Come along and have a good afternoon out, but if unable to attend, donations can be made directly to Pilton Youth and Childrens Project, quoting “In memory of Frankie”.

Support the Cash for Kids sleepover

Set your alarm clock: PYCP Friday 31 July!

Tonight hundreds of local children living in poverty will be going to sleep on the floor without even a mattress, or squeezing in with siblings and parents. £100 would buy them each a bed.

You can help! Come and take part in Forth 1’s Cash for Kids ‘Sleepover’ event on Friday 31 July at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project in West Pilton.All you have to do is raise £100 in sponsorship and stay overnight to experience the challenges these children go through on a nightly basis.

Among those who have registered to take part are TRIM’s Robert Pearson and Karma Lennon, who are now looking for sponsors.

Robert Pearson said: “I am in a privileged position were I can help others in our community, over the years I have been involved in TRIM I have visited families who had no beds at all and Mum, dad and the children were sleeping on sheets in one bedroom to keep warm. Thanks to the support of our community I was able to get them beds, sheets and duvets.

“It’s a hard thing to ask for help from people, But residents have grown to trust TRIM and I am confident that people will turn to us for help.Taking part in this sleep over is my way of helping a great appeal, and it’s fantastic to think that our own community will benefit.”

Karma added: “It is sad that in this day and age there are still kids in our area who don’t have the basics they need like a bed. Not getting a good nights sleep can cause numerous problems for kids and affect their lives now and in the future.

“If all it takes is sleeping on a hard surface for one night to help even just one child then I am more than happy to do that. Please sponsor Robert and I – even if it’s just £1.”

To sponsor Robert and Karma, visit
http://muirhouseresidents.co.uk/trim-chairman-and-secretary-to-raise-funds-for-forth-one-bed-appeal/

Or why not get involved yourself? You can download a fundraising pack containing sponsorship forms here!

To register, or for more information, go to: http://www.forth1.com/charity/bed/sleepover/

Remembering a gentle giant

Edinburgh Northern organise charity fundraising tournament in honour of big ‘Loggy’

Following the tragic death of Richard Logg in a car crash on Christmas-Eve 2014, his team mates at Edinburgh Northern Rugby Football Club (@ENRFC) have come together to raise funds in his honour and to keep the memory of a ‘gentle giant’ alive (writes JACOB COURT).

The Club has already run several successful fund raising events for local charities, all chosen by his young family. Widowed & Young (WAY) and Richmond’s Hope, as well as national charity Home Start, have been at the heart of fundraising efforts thus far.

The next event to be hosted looks to celebrate the things that will always remind us of Loggy; a crunching rugby style, a love of spending time with family and friends – and a spirited enthusiasm for mischief and laughs!

Centred round a rugby tournament to celebrate ‘Loggy’ through the sport he loved, the Club are putting on a day of events, aimed at participants of all ages. Rugby, raffles, auctions as well as a BBQ, refreshments, live music and activities for children will all be laid on in order to foster as much as is possible of the spirit that draws people to small, community rugby clubs like Northern.

Donations are welcome but a good attendance would be much preferred with the setting of his home pitch in Inverleith Park being the venue for a three way tournament between his Club, Edinburgh Northern, a ‘Northern Legends’ team and a guest appearance from charity favourites, The Pigbarians.

Edinburgh Northern RFC would like to take this opportunity to welcome anyone with a passion for fun and a love of laughs to join us in Inverleith Park, East Fettes Avenue from 1pm on Saturday 25 July for a day of rugby, family games, barbequed meats and an evening of music.

Epic cycle trek honours record breaker

Michael keeps it in the family!

An Edinburgh man is taking on an epic cycling challenge, from one end of Ireland to the other – 60 years after his aunt became the fastest woman to complete the route!

Michael Woods, who aims to complete the challenge in six days, will be joined by a group of family members during the 386 miles and they will raise funds for cancer charities including Macmillan Cancer Support.

The route will closely mirror the one taken by Michael’s aunt, Isabel Woods, on 26^thJune 1955. She cycled from Mizen Head on Ireland’s south coast to Fair Head in Northern Ireland in a record-breaking 23 hours and 3 minutes, a record she held on to until 1 July 2007.

Michael said: “Isabel’s ride of 60 years ago is a mind boggling feat of stamina and endurance and following the route at a more leisurely pace is one way of comprehending just what a feat it was. If our road trip enables us to raise funds for some good causes then all the better.”

Macmillan’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager Jayne Forbes said: “We are very grateful to Michael, David, Norah, Sheena and Brian and everyone who supports them. They’ve already raised a fantastic amount of money which will help us make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.

“We help people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis, none of which would be possible without the support of people in Edinburgh.”

If you would like to support Michael and the team please visit:

https://www.givey.com/ie2eiw60

Summer Fayre at Old Kirk & Muirhouse

Old Kirk & Muirhouse Parish Church, Pennywell Gardens

SUMMER FAYRE

Saturday 13 June 10am – 12 noon

All welcome

Art exhibition at St Columba’s this week

The 29th Annual Art Exhibition by the Art Friends of St Columba’s Hospice is an excellent opportunity to view and maybe even buy some excellent art for this excellent cause. It will take place at the St Columba’s Hospice Education Centre, Boswall Road on:

Friday 5 June 12 noon – 8pm (incl informal drinks reception from 6pm)
Saturday 6 June – 10am – 4pm
Sunday 7 June – 11am – 4pm

More details to be found here
http://www.stcolumbashospicefundraising.org.uk/events/art-exhibition-5-2423.aspx

Cafe Cabaret at North Edinburgh Arts

May Day fundraiser for Theatre Project

North Edinburgh Theatre project presents:
Friday Night Café Cabaret: A Pop-Up Fundraising Event

Friday 1 May, 7.30pm
North Edinburgh Arts
Tickets: Minimum £2 donation

A series of short comedy scenes, juggling, readings of writing and poetry, human puppets, with dance and stage combat. There will be a raffle with exciting prizes.

Teas, coffees, wine and nibbles will be on sale on the evening too. All profits made on the night will go towards the North Edinburgh Theatre project.

Tickets: Call 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, EH4 4TZ

Veterans launch Operation Ragnarok Icelandic Challenge

ONE month, FIVE volcanoes, TWO men – and a pick-up truck!

Two Edinburgh ex-Servicemen today (Tuesday 14 April) launched their challenge to raise as much money as possible for Poppyscotland.

Operation Ragnarok will involve driving on tricky off-road terrain to the summits of five or six volcanoes across Iceland in a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck during the month of August.

At an event at the outdoor quarry area of the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho, Matthew (Matt) McHugh (26) and Rhys Rowlands (29) undertook training for the treacherous conditions that they will face during their challenge, which included winching their pick-up truck, named Louis, on a rock face at a near vertical angle!

Matt trained as a mine clearance diver with the Royal Navy for two years but had to leave after being diagnosed with a heart condition. After discharge he received employment training support from Poppyscotland.

Rhys served with 2 SCOTS and retired from the Army last year following a serious leg injury sustained while on tour in Afghanistan.

Both men are passionate about the work of Poppyscotland and are raising funds to ensure that serving and ex-Service people and their families can receive support when they need it, both now and in the future. Their challenge is entirely self-funded which means that all money raised will be donated to Poppyscotland.

The name Operation Ragnarok is derived from an old Norse term that is interpreted as Final Destiny of the Gods and the pair are bracing themselves for a tough time ahead.

Matt said: “I have always wanted to see lava and, admittedly, there might be simpler ways to do this but tackling these volcanoes and reaching the summits is going to be a huge adventure and will test our endurance and stamina to the maximum.

“Raising money for Poppyscotland is just as important as the physical challenge. I was helped by the charity to train for a new career and I want to give something back so that they can carry on helping veterans lead fulfilling lives on their return to civilian life.”

Rhys added: “The rocky, off-road environment and varying climate of Iceland will test our resilience, and perseverance. The attributes and skills we learned in the military will help us to operate in this remote area but it will still be extremely hazardous. As a former soldier, Poppyscotland is a cause close to my heart and I really hope people will get behind Operation Ragnarok and donate as much as they can to help the charity continue to make a difference to those in need.”

Poppyscotland’s events fundraiser Marianne Craig said: “We feel privileged that Matt and Rhys have chosen Poppyscotland to benefit from their fundraising efforts. It is a unique challenge and we admire them for their drive and determination.

“We need to raise money all year round to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community can get the help they need to get their lives back on track. We rely on the enthusiasm and imagination of supporters like Matt and Rhys to help us make a difference and we wish them all the best.”

Matt and Rhys have gained sponsorship and financial support from a number of businesses including JÖTTNAR clothing and Belmont Group. The pair are also grateful to Edinburgh Leisure for hosting the launch at EICA: Ratho.

People can donate at www.justgiving.com/Team-Ragnarok or text 70070 with the letters OPRK88£ and the amount you wish to donate.

Find out more at www.operation-ragnarok.co.uk

West Pilton Table Sale on Friday

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre is holding a Table Sale this Friday (17 April) from 11am – 3pm.

Call in to the Centre to book your table or telephone 551 3194 – tables are £2 (large), £1 (small) and it’s just £1 if you bring your own.

The cafe’s open for refreshments and snacks too.

WPNC Table Sale April 2015

Abseil allies!

Macmillan Cancer Support and Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) joined forces this week to appeal for adventurous supporters in and around Edinburgh to abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday 7 June.

The challenge, which is run and organised by the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, will see the charities most daring fundraisers sponsored to freefall abseil 165ft from the iconic Forth Bridge onto the beach below.

Local Fundraising Manager, Jayne Forbes, from Macmillan Cancer Support and CHAS Fundraiser, Laura Campbell, visited the Bridge ahead of the event to encourage people to sign up and support them.

Laura said: “As the official charities for the abseil, brave participants can elect to support both Macmillan and CHAS and have their funds split equally between us. This is a great event and a fantastic way to support two deserving charities!”

Jayne added: ‘We’d both like to thank the Rotary Club of South Queensferry for organising the abseil and choosing us as the main charities. We’d also like to thank those who have signed up already as well as encouraging more people to take up the challenge! Both our organisations rely heavily on public donations and we couldn’t provide the valuable services we do without people participating in events like these.’

Macmillan helps people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis.

CHAS is the only charity providing hospice services in Scotland for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

For more information and to sign up, contact Macmillan on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk