Tag: fundraising

War Child UK launches prize draw to support children in conflict

Win a royal tea with Emma Corrin & Josh O’Connor from ‘The Crown’ alongside items and experiences donated by Vanessa Kirby, Taylor Swift & many more

War Child UK have launched a series of exclusive prize draws with a range of unique celebrity items & experiences up for grabs to support their Torn From Home appeal, aimed at helping children affected by war in Afghanistan.

For just a £5 donation to War Child, the public will be able to enter a prize draw to win one of the many incredible items and experiences including:

  • The chance for you and a friend to have high tea with Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor who play Prince Charles and Princess Diana in The Crown
  • Once in a lifetime chance for you and up to 3 friends to have lunch with Vanessa Kirby, as well as a private screening of her highly anticipated upcoming film, Pieces of a Woman
  • A signed t-shirt and vinyl copy of chart-topper Mabel’s incredible debut album ‘High Expectations’
  • A vinyl copy of War Child’s landmark record Help! Recently re-issued on special edition vinyl in celebration of the album’s 25th Anniversary – signed by the legendary, Paul Weller
  • A Tom Misch signed vinyl bundle featuring the ever popular ‘What Kinda Music’, ‘Geography’ and ‘Beat Tape 2’
  • A poster signed by critically acclaimed singer songwriter Celeste, from her very first headline show at Mirth, Marvel & Maud
  • A signed 12×12” test press by British rock band Enter Shikari of their album The Last Spark: Live At Ancienne Belgique, Brussels – one of only 20 copies made for the public
  • A signed ‘The Vaccines Make Me Feel Good’ T-shirt originally worn on stage by Justin Young
  • A signed double LP of Taylor Swift’s more recent album, Folklore.

Prize draws runs until 17th December 2020 at warchildwintershop.com, where for every three entries you will get a fourth free.

In addition to the prize draws, the War Child Winter Shop is also offering a range of bespoke creations from their friends across the arts and creative industries, meaning that the public can also get their hands on the likes of a specially designed jumper by designer Bella Freud, an Anthony Burrill shopper bag, and limited prints by renowned artists Rose Stallard, Adam Bridgland, Joe Cruz, Fee Greening and Supermundane.

Every prize draw entry, charity gift and donation made via the War Child Winter Shop website, is eligible for UK Aid match funding, meaning that for every £1 raised before 18 February 2021, the UK government will double this and help raise vital funds for the charity’s work in reuniting Children in Afghanistan with their families.

In Afghanistan, thousands of children, some as young as eight, are forced to leave home in search of work after decades of war have destroyed their family’s livelihoods.

War Child is on hand at the border working to provide emotional and psychosocial support from children before safely getting them home. The funds from this appeal will help reunite families and provide solutions to those problems that drove families and their children to embark on this perilous journey in the first place.

Vanessa Kirby, War Child UK ambassador said “I am really excited about being able to offer this prize to support this truly worthy appeal for this amazing charity.

“Until the 18th February, all your entries and all your donations will be matched by the UK government, helping keep families in Afghanistan together, and giving children real hope for a safer and more secure future”

Rob Williams, CEO of War Child UK said: “We are truly grateful to all of our incredible supporters for their generosity – we have some remarkable prizes available and feel very fortunate to be able to share those with the public.

“We are also very fortunate to have the support of the UK government through Aid Match, which will help funds raised from our Torn From Home appeal have an even greater impact on our work in Afghanistan, and to the lives of the children and families we are supporting there”

For more information, to enter a prize draw, or purchase gifts visit warchildwintershop.com/

Prize draw T&C’s available online

Home Again: Grieving girl reunited with long lost cat

A cat missing for nine months and presumed dead is reunited with a grieving young girl – and her reaction is priceless.

After nine months of searching for her beloved cat, 10-year-old Katya Harmon had reluctantly accepted that she wouldn’t see Timmy again. The pair had been inseparable since they bonded eight years previously and the loss made 2020 an even more difficult year for Katya.

Katya’s father Perry had died of cancer in the summer and the family was so overcome with grief that her mother Svitlana took extended leave from her role as a care home worker to come to terms with the loss and care for Katya.

In January the Surrey family moved from Chertsey to West End, Woking. Timmy was kept indoors for the first few weeks but, on only the second time being let out in his new neighbourhood, he failed to return home. They searched garages and sheds, knocked on doors and posted on social media, but no sightings were reported.

Katya was inconsolable for weeks, living in hope of his safe return. After being missing for nine months, mum Svitlana felt the time had come to accept that Timmy was gone for ever and she would need to help her daughter heal. The process started with Svitlana getting rid of Timmy’s toys and bedding, unaware that their luck was about to change.

Within days, Svitlana received a ground-shaking call while doing the school run. Incredibly, Timmy had been found safe and well and would be coming home, thanks to him being microchipped (https://youtu.be/moZDgX-dfEc).

Pauline Welch, Welfare Officer for Cats Protection’s Woking and District Branch said: “We had a report from a lady who had been feeding a suspected stray cat for a couple of months. I went round and scanned him for a microchip, which he had thankfully. While there I looked up the number on our system and saw that it had been registered to an address in Chertsey.”

Although Svitlana hadn’t updated their address on Timmy’s microchip, her mobile number remained the same and Woking’s Cats Protection team (www.cats.org.uk/woking) was able to call and break the happy news.

Pauline said: “The lady who answered was indeed missing her cat Timmy and was over the moon that he’d been found. Her daughter had been devastated when he went missing and had asked her mum that very morning if she’d ever see him again. It’s a heart wrenching story with a happy ending.

“It certainly brought a few tears to our eyes, that’s for sure!”

Relieved mum Svitlana was bowled over when she took the call. She said: “I had just taken Katya to school when I received a totally unexpected call from Cats Protection. I had given up hope of ever receiving such a call. Timmy was coming home. It was almost unbelievable.

“I knew that Katya would be overjoyed to see Timmy. That was when I hit on the idea of filming that special moment, to capture Katya’s reaction to finding Timmy hiding on her bed.”

No sooner had Pauline made the call than Timmy was delivered back to his home.

All the while Katya was at school and couldn’t imagine the surprise waiting for her on her return.

Thankfully, Svitlana captured that moment when Katya is reunited with her beloved cat on video: https://youtu.be/moZDgX-dfEc

The joyful return of Timmy went some way to improving a devastating year for Katya and her mum.

Svitlana said: “We’ve had it hard this year, like so many people. It has been hard to see any end to it. And then I had a miracle call from Cats Protection. It really brought some light back into our world.

“If it wasn’t for that microchip, we wouldn’t have Timmy home with us now. He won’t leave Katya’s side and she is besotted with him. He came back to us two days before my birthday; that really was the best present I could have hoped for this year.”

Cats Protection’s work is possible thanks to the generous donations of supporters and volunteers, especially during the COVID-19 crisis when fundraising has been hit hard.

To donate to the Woking and District Branch and to support cats like Timmy, visit: www.cats.org.uk/christmas/donate

Timmy’s story mirrors Cats Protection’s Christmas campaign featuring a tear-jerking animation created by multi award-winning Aardman Studios. The beautiful three-minute animation is inspired by the true story of a young boy and his missing cat, Casper, and highlights the value of microchips for pets. 

To watch the Christmas animation, visit www.cats.org.uk/christmas

According to Cats Protection’s CATS report 2020*, over a quarter (26%) of owned cats in the UK are not chipped. The charity is actively campaigning to change this by making it a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped, as it is for dogs.

Art for hearts auction smashes fundraising record

National charity Heart Research UK has raised £53,000 with their ‘anonymous heART project’, auctioning unique anonymous artworks by a host of internationally acclaimed artists and celebrities.

Almost 500 pieces of original A5 artwork, created by huge names including Robert Smith (The Cure), Ralph Steadman, Pejac, Joe Lycett and Ashley Jackson were auctioned on eBay between the 6th – 15th November.

All of the pieces were sold anonymously, and though a full list of contributors was available, the artist of each piece has been kept a secret, only being revealed to winning bidders now the auction is over.

When the virtual hammer came down, all 497 of the pieces found new homes, raising tens of thousands of pounds for Heart Research UK’s life-saving work.

The bestselling piece (pictured, top) was an original painting by Robert Smith, iconic rock star and frontman of The Cure, which commanded a stunning £5,100 in the online auction.

The piece, entitled “I will kiss you forever…” featured the lyrics “on nights like this”, taken from The Cure’s hit song ‘The same deep water as you.’

The second highest seller was by internationally-acclaimed Spanish painter Pejac. The piece, titled ‘Bottomless pit’ (above) fetched a whopping £1,793.

Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has seen over 1,300 artworks sold, raising over £110,000 for Heart Research UK’s pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The dust has finally started to settle from 2020’s anonymous heART project, and what a journey it has been. Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of the artists and the people bidding.

“We’ve smashed our fundraising target, so we would all like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time and efforts to the campaign.

“At Heart Research UK, we’re always looking for fun and interesting ways to raise money. The anonymous heART project allows people to support ground-breaking medical research but also get a little something back, owning their own mini-masterpieces.

“What makes this project so special is that everyone has the chance to own a piece of iconic art. It really is making high class art available to all, and we’re thrilled all 497 pieces have found a new home!”

To find out more and to register your interest in next year’s anonymous heART project, please visit heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart/

STV Children’s Appeal 2020 raises over £3.5 million

A grand total of £3,530,025 has been raised by the STV Children’s Appeal throughout 2020, bringing the total amount raised by the Appeal since its formation in 2011 to over £24 million.

A busy year of fundraising culminated in a successful telefundraiser broadcast on STV on Friday. The programme, hosted by Lorraine Kelly, saw stars including Andy Murray and KT Tunstall encouraging Scots to support the Appeal, which raises funds for vulnerable children and young people across Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also made a memorable appearance in this year’s show, starring in a specially-recorded sketch alongside comedian Janey Godley (download here), in which she delivered Godley’s iconic catchphrase “Frank, get the door!” for the first time.

The Scottish Government has again pledged to match fund £1 million towards the final total raised.

The STV Children’s Appeal has seen a wide range of “community heroes” from across Scotland helping to raise money this year, including:

·       91-year-old Jan Collins from Troon (picture attached), who raised £8,621 by completing 1,000 holes of golf in his garden

·       Inverness schoolboy Shaun Maclean (picture attached), 8, who ran 200 laps of his garden and raised £966

·       Gerry Long, a postman from Ardrossan, who cheered up local residents during the national lockdown in April by dressing up as a different fictional character each day to deliver mail – raising £450 in the process

Corporate supporters of the Appeal have included supermarket chain Lidl. Its customers and staff helped to raise £73,000 this year – bringing the total amount Lidl has raised for the Appeal to over £500,000.

Baroness Margaret Ford, Chair of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “Once again, we are absolutely blown away by the incredible generosity of STV viewers – particularly at a time when donating may be harder to do than normal.

“Their support, along with that of our community heroes and corporate fundraisers, will make a real difference to the one in four children living in poverty throughout the country.

“These young people, who have felt the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic more than most, urgently need our help – and we’re committed to distributing the funds as quickly and efficiently as possible. On behalf of everyone at the STV Children’s Appeal, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every person who has supported us throughout this year.”  

VOCAL ‘Super Six’ complete skydive challenge

Defying gravity isn’t for everyone but six supporters of VOCAL have persevered through bad weather and COVID restrictions to complete their 10,000ft skydives. 

The ‘Super Six’ all took on the challenge last year to raise funds and awareness of VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian: the charity supporting ununpaid carers looking after partners or family members with health and disability issues that require care in the home. 

“I think when I signed up I was keen to raise some cash for VOCAL, but since COVID I have been doubly determined to ensure that the carers looking after the most vulnerable in our communities are recognised for their vital role during this crucial time,” said Julie Forster, who did her jump at the end of September describing it as “the craziest thing ever”. 

Wendy Brooks, who works directly with carers at VOCAL said: “We had to postpone the jump throughout lockdown but rather than giving up we persevered.

“We knew the cause was so important and really wanted to complete this huge personal challenge. It was scary – but I am so glad to have done this!” 

Emma Rogers also completed her jump as part of a suite of challenges in support of VOCAL: “It was so good to complete this challenge. 

“I have abseiled from the Forth Bridge and climbed Ben Nevis, but this was the scariest but most amazing challenge yet. I am so thankful that my parents and grandad got to see me complete the jump.” 

Also jumping were three members of the Pattinson family: sisters Emma and Katie with their father Jon. 

“It was amazing to have this family skydive adventure” said Emma. “We were so supportive of each other and really kept each other going during lockdown until we got news that we could get together and make that leap. And we did it!” 

The Super Six send thanks to the hundreds of sponsors who came on board to raise about £4,500 for VOCAL. 

Julie added: “It was just hard that we couldn’t give each other huge hugs and get a great team photo together because of the coronavirus. But maybe the next Super Six will!” 

VOCAL are now recruiting for the next set of adventurous supporters to show their recognition of the invaluable work done by the thousands of people who take on intensive and complex caring roles across Edinburgh and Midlothian. 

Cricket Scotland stars set off on epic charity cycle in memory of team mate

Players’ Cycle for Con inspired by team mate lost to brain tumour

The death of Cricket Scotland player Con de Lange to a brain tumour at the age of 38 has inspired two team mates to take on a cycling challenge to help find a cure for the disease.

Craig Wallace, aged 30, from Carnoustie, and Ali Evans, 31, from Edinburgh, will be pedalling 672 miles in seven days with the distance representing the fact that Con was the 672nd person to play for Scotland.

The pair will start in Dundee on Thursday (1 October) and their route will take them to numerous clubs and destinations across Scotland which were loved by Con.

They’ll take in St Andrews, Fife, Perth, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and finish in Carnoustie. Coronavirus restrictions have meant the original plan to also visit many county grounds in England which Con knew and loved, including Northampton and Blackburn, have been scrapped.

Con (above) died in April last year two years after he first became ill. He left a wife Claire and two children, Daisy and Rory. A talented all-rounder, Con’s professional career began in his native South Africa. He went on to play county cricket for Northamptonshire before representing Scotland internationally.

Craig said: “Con was just such a proper, genuine and nice man; one of the finest gentleman I have ever met. He was always the one who would go round the dressing room, checking everyone was OK.

“He loved pulling pranks on us and would always have some kind of remote control spider or snake which he would leave lurking around someone’s hotel room when we were away on tour.

“I’m fortunate to have met him through cricket. Con represented Scotland in 2015 and took the team from strength to strength. It’s where I and so many got to see his cheeky smile, his caring attitude and most importantly his competitive nature, every day.”

Craig and Ali’s Cycle for Con has already raised £4,600 for the charity Brain Tumour Research, the only national charity in the UK singularly focused on finding a cure for brain tumours through campaigning for an increase in the national investment into research to £35 million a year, while fundraising to create a sustainable network of brain tumour research centres in the UK.

Craig added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“Too many great people like Con are dying too young and that’s why we want to raise as much awareness of this disease as we can for him and his amazing family and to raise as much money as we can to help other people affected by this horrible cancer and to stop it happening in the future.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is calling for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

Gus Mackay, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see the cricket community come together to raise nearly £5,000 to support Craig and Ali’s #Cycle4Con challenge in honour of the late Con de Lange.

“Cricket Scotland is behind Craig and Ali all the way, and we can’t wait to follow along with their progress and see how much is raised for Brain Tumour Research.”  

To sponsor Craig and Ali please go to www.justgiving.com/craig-wallace4  and follow their journey on social media using #CycleforCon

Kiltwalk raises £5 million for Scotland’s charities

More than 900 charities get a much-needed cash boost after toughest year yet

Scotland’s Kiltwalkers and The Hunter Foundation have raised a massive £5 million for over 900 Scottish charities in 2020. 

The Covid-19 pandemic saw all four of Kiltwalk’s planned events, in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh cancelled, but Kiltwalkers all over the country took part in virtual events to support their chosen charities.

The fundraising deadline for last week’s Edinburgh Big Virtual Weekend closed at midnight last night [Monday], which alone raised £1.3 million. Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation today announced this figure would not be topped-up by 50%, but will be doubled to 100%.  This brings the fundraising from that weekend to £2.6 million.

Earlier this summer, Kiltwalk’s emergency pay-outs in Glasgow and Aberdeen plus the Dundee Virtual Kiltwalk raised £1.2 million and The Hunter Foundation doubled that to £2.4 million.   

In total in 2020, Kiltwalkers raised £2.5 million and The Hunter Foundation doubled that to £5 million.

Sir Tom Hunter praised the Kiltwalk Kindness of the 16,000 Scots who dug deep as they walked, cycled, ran and swam separately all over Scotland observing the social distancing measures.

Sir Tom said in a video: “At a time when there’s not much good news about, we want to bring you some great news this morning from the Kiltwalk. The Edinburgh Virtual Kiltwalk took place and you hopped, skipped, jumped and even swam to raise money for what you care about. This morning, you have raised an amazing £1.3 million and more than 535 different Scottish charities will benefit, so thank you.

“As the numbers were coming in last night, we said if you can do £1.3 million, then we’ll do £1.3 million, so it’s a 100% top up from The Hunter Foundation this morning, because we just think you’re amazing.

“So in a year, a very strange year where we’ve not been able to walk together, for obvious reasons, but between Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and now Edinburgh, you Kiltwalkers have raised an amazing £2.5 million for the charities you care about and The Hunter Foundation has topped it up with another £2.5million.

“So this year, £5 million is going to the charities you care about, the folks who really need it are getting a hand up, not a hand out. So thank you. We’ll be back next year, no doubt about it. You can’t keep a good Kiltwalker down!”

Donna Paterson-Harvie, Founder of Neil’s Hugs charity, based in Linlithgow, said: “A huge thanks to everyone that supported us! We’re a tiny charity in West Lothian and having over 100 people raising funds means the world.

“The £15,000 raised – now £30,000 – will allow us to continue to offer one-to-one and group support for people affected by suicide and support those struggling with poor mental health by helping to reduce isolation and offering virtual safe spaces. Given the current climate, demand for this support is higher than ever so we are so grateful to the walkers, those who donated and Sir Tom Hunter”.   

Co-founder, Chair and Director of Fundraising at It’s Good 2 Give, Lynne McNicoll OBE said: “Our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every Kiltwalker and those who donated.

“Every penny of the £30,000 raised, plus Sir Tom’s incredible kindness takes it to £60,000 and this will allow us to continue supporting young cancer patients and their families by providing practical support such as supermarket vouchers, family activity packs and even equipment such as Vein Finder machines that help reduce the trauma of treatment for young cancer patients.

“It’s so difficult for everyone just now so we are super grateful to our supporters for the vital funds now more than ever”.

Bridie Ashrowan, CEO of Space and Broomhill Hub said: “All funds raised will go to Space & The Broomhouse Hub. We support hundreds of vulnerable families, young people and older folk in South West Edinburgh, particularly with well-being which is badly needed amid the Covid crisis.

“Our café courtyard area has never been more important, so funds raised will also go towards completing that, with the help of local people in the community, to make it a lovely space. Our profound thanks to all, we raised £950 and to The Hunter Foundation for the 100% top up to £1,900. It makes those 24 miles and Lyn’s bungee jump for the Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend all the more meaningful!”

For further information about the Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk.

ELREC Food Support Project appeal

Dear colleagues and friends,

The lockdown and Covid 19 have been particularly difficult on many BAME, low income and isolated families here in Edinburgh.

In June 2020 ELREC started a food project to help bridge the gap between BAME people and food poverty and access to free food services such as food banks.

This came about after ELREC was contacted by many community members asking for food support due to job losses, furlough, redundancies, and benefits income not being sufficient to live on for many families and also children being at home fulltime.

ELREC provided this work thanks to local funding but this has now ended, yet the demand for food parcels and halal meat for BAME families remains. The work is all volunteer led and these include ELREC staff, board members and our other volunteers who give up their time to help us deliver this project.

ELREC provides on average 30 food parcels per week but not only put the parcels together but also deliver them to any family who are unable to collect them. There are 15 volunteers involved and on average we spend 20 hours per week on this work.

Currently ELREC is working in partnership with Edinburgh Community Food and Fareshare who provide us with free food parcels, but we do not have sufficient funding to top up the parcels with meat, which is the main item we are asked for.

There are many families within our communities who need and rely on this food support for many reasons but the standard food banks don’t meet their needs.  Therefore, ELREC is asking for funds to top up their food support with specific items they need such as halal meat, nappies, baby milk or any other essential items.

ELREC hopes to continue this work until end of October 2020 in line with the furlough scheme and then make alternative arrangements for these families to continue to access this food support with which they need to live.

FOOD for those who need it:

PLEASE DONATE what you can and help us keep doing this important work for our community.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/elrec-food-support

Many thanks,

Foysol Choudhury MBE
Chair, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

Tel 0131 556 0441

September-NewsletterDownload

Fundraise for Held In Our Hearts this September

Held In Our Hearts are looking for your help in virtual events in September

The Edinburgh Marathon weekend was due to take place on 5th and 6th September and now will be a virtual event.

You can sign up and run your chosen distance anytime between now and the end of December  and fundraise for Held In Our Hearts. You will still receive that all important blue t -shirt and medal. https://virtual.edinburghmarathon.com

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk was due to take place on 13th September  but will now go ahead as a virtual event.

You can still sign up and walk your chosen distance and fundraise for the charityhttps://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/edinburgh

Held In Our Hearts is a local charity proving baby loss counselling and support to families. Formerly known as SANDS Lothians, we have 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate care bereavement care in the community.

When a family’s baby dies, it is an incredibly traumatic and extremely lonely time as parents struggle to find others who can connect with the overwhelming emotions they experience.

The majority of our staff are bereaved themselves, so we are there to let them know they are not alone. Through our support services, we journey with families providing empathy, while they start to come to terms with what has happened and help support them in their grief.

As we are now going into the second half of 2020  bereaved families need your support more than ever and as the world starts to return to a new normal our families know that life without their precious baby is a new normal for them.

For more information on your events or if you want to fundraise in other ways you can contact tracy@heldinourhearts.org.uk

Pot of gold for Drylaw’s Rainbow

Local DJ Jim Henderson – aka DJ Edinburgh – handed over a cheque for £900 to Drylaw Rainbow Club Day Centre’s Jacke Brown yesterday.

Jim staged a ‘Live Aid 2020’ event last month to support the Rainbow Club, who are part of an area-wide network of local organisations who are supporting our community’s most vulnerable people with food parcels and essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Feed The World Drylaw Telford! Well done, Jim!