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The Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme expands in Edinburgh
New research finds most children fall short of their five-a-day
The Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme hits more Edinburgh schools, as new research finds most children fall short of their five-a-day
- Less than 1 in 10 Edinburgh children currently eat their recommended five-a-day, according to new research
- Ambition to help one million school children across the UK access free fruit and vegetables through Tesco school and community programmes by July 2029
- Tesco invites children to create fun fruit & veg-packed recipes, with winning dish served in over 1,500 schools to mark expansion of its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme
- To encourage children to be more adventurous with fruit & veg, Tesco is launching the Giant Fruit & Veg Challenge. To find out more and how to enter, visit www.tescoplc.com/fruitandvegchallenge
Less than 1 in 10 Edinburgh children eat their recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables on a typical school day, with 8.70% of parents saying their child only eats one piece of fruit and veg per day, according to new research from Tesco.
But the findings also show what does work when it comes to getting five a day into kids with more than half (73.91%) of Edinburgh parents and carers say their child is more likely to eat fruit and veg when they can choose it themselves, and making food fun or visually creative encourages their children to try more.
So, to help more children get more of their five-a-day and the nutritious food they need to learn, Tesco is doubling its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme from September, with the aim of doubling the programme again the following year. And the results to date speak for themselves, with 94% of teachers nationwide reporting improved behaviour among pupils taking part.
The new research further highlights why schemes like Free Fruit & Veg for Schools matter. Children tend to stick to familiar favourites, with fruit far more common than vegetables in their diets, and many parents say repeated refusal shapes what they buy at home. Just over half of Edinburgh parents (56.52%) say they have stopped buying or serving certain fruit or vegetables after their child repeatedly refused them. By contrast, pupils taking part in Free Fruit & Veg for Schools have collectively sampled more than 100 different varieties of fruit and vegetables, helping to broaden tastes and encourage healthier choices.
To encourage and inspire children to be more adventurous with fruit and veg and to celebrate the expansion of its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, Tesco is launching the Giant Fruit & Veg Challenge**.
The competition invites children to dream up their own fruit and veg-packed dish, with the winning recipe shared on menus across the UK and in Tesco’s programme. The challenge is supported and judged by JLS star turned farmer JB Gill, and his son Ace, alongside a panel of experts and nutritionists.
Along with its Fruit & Veg Grants and Free Fruit for Kids in its stores, Tesco aims to support thousands more local children in getting more of the good stuff. Customers will be able to help grow the programme with Tesco donating every time customers buy fruit and veg at Tesco up until 24 May.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: “We’ve set out an ambition to help one million children get free fruit and veg through our school and community programmes, supporting the development of healthy habits.
“Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has already made, so we’re delighted to be able to double the number of schools receiving support from September.”
Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said:
“A significant number of children in the UK are growing up with diets that don’t support their health.
“Early food experiences matter, as they can help to shape children’s confidence, habits and long‑term health outcomes.
“By helping children enjoy and regularly eat fruit and vegetables from a young age, programmes like Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools can help to make a lasting difference to diet and health now and in the future.”
For more information and to enter the Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge, visit:
It’s International Walking Day!
Today is the first International Walking Day 
It’s a moment to celebrate something simple but powerful, walking as part of everyday life! Whether it’s getting to work, heading to the shops or just getting outside, walking is one of the easiest ways to move more.
At Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we’re working to make walking possible for more people across Scotland by supporting the development of safer, more accessible routes and connections.
Walking benefits our health and our world. When routes are designed for everyone, more people can choose to walk for everyday journeys.
Looking for somewhere to start?
Explore some great walking routes on the National Cycle Network: 
Citizens’ Charter launches to challenge food industry to prioritise health
Recipe for Change launches a citizen-led call for a healthier, fairer food system today, with the public urged to add their name
https://www.recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up
Recipe for Change launches a citizen-led call for a healthier, fairer food system, with the public urged to add their name
- New Citizens’ Charter, based on citizen workshops and polling, urges ministers to back calls to stand up to big food companies and make healthy food more affordable
- Almost half of the British public (47%) say it is harder to eat a balanced diet now than it was 20 years ago
- 60% say eating a balanced diet is hard
- Of those, 81% say one reason for this is rising food prices and 70% say less healthy food is often cheaper than healthier options
- 79% of Britons say government should be doing more to make a balanced diet affordable and 84% saying food companies should be doing more
- Nearly eight in ten people (79%) are not confident that food companies will cut sugar, salt and saturated fat levels without government intervention
- The polling underpins a new Citizens’ Charter from Recipe for Change, calling for tougher action on the food industry and building pressure for stronger regulation on food businesses
A major new public campaign launched by Recipe for Change, a coalition of 45 organisations led by Sustain, The Food Foundation and the Obesity Health Alliance, is sending a clear message to government and industry that people want their health to be prioritised alongside corporate profit-makings.
New YouGov polling reveals almost half of the British public (47%) think it is harder to eat a balanced diet now than 20 years ago, with a food system that makes unhealthy choices cheap, prominent and hard to avoid, while healthier options remain too expensive for many families.
The polling is part of a new Citizens’ Charter, developed by people across the UK and launched by Recipe for Change, urging the public to sign a collective call to ministers to take tougher action on the food industry.
Among Britons who say it is hard to eat a balanced diet now, more than eight in ten (81%) say one reason for this is rising food prices, and 70% say it is because less healthy food costs less than healthier options. Among the entire population, there is also a clear sense that both government and industry are falling short, with 79% saying government should be doing more to make it affordable to achieve a balanced diet, and 84% saying companies themselves should be doing more.
Kate Howard, Children’s Food Campaign Coordinator at Sustain, said: “Food companies are incredibly good at innovation when there’s a profit in it, and I see no reason why that same drive can’t be turned towards making healthier food the easy, affordable option. Clearer rules benefit everyone, including industry.
“The people across the UK who developed the calls in this charter showed just how frustrated they are and how much they want change. That’s why we’re urging everyone to add their name. The more people who sign, the harder it is for government and industry to look the other way.”
The findings also point to deep public scepticism about voluntary action from the food industry. Nearly eight in ten people (79%) are not confident that companies will reduce the levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat in their products without government intervention.
Almost two thirds (63%) also think that supermarkets and companies that make food have increased prices by more than necessary to boost profits.
Out of the 95% of people who said they think food prices have generally gone up in the past year, only 3% cited health or environmental regulations as a reason among a list of options.
This comes as analysis by OC&C and The Grocer found that the UK’s 10 largest packaged food and drink manufacturers posted combined operating profits of more than £1.7 billion in 2025.
Support for tougher action is strong. Almost three quarters of the public (73%) would back legislation to regulate sugar and saturated fat levels in food, with similarly high support for regulations on the levels of salt in food (70%).
There is also backing for the principle that companies should contribute to the damage linked to the products they sell, with 61% saying they think food and drink companies that sell products high in salt, sugar, and/or saturated fat should be required to help fund the costs of treating ill health related to such products.
Dr Amos Ogunkoya, BHF Health Ambassador says: “As a doctor, I’ve seen that a poor diet is one of the biggest threats to our health in this country, and it’s not down to bad choices, it’s down to a bad system. Unhealthy food is cheap, it’s everywhere, and it’s heavily marketed. Healthy food is more expensive and hard to find. That has to change.
“We’ve seen what’s possible – the sugar levy proved that when government acts, industry follows. We need that same boldness now, across the whole food system. That’s why I’m backing this Charter and urging everyone to add their name.”
The Citizens’ Charter will gather signatures over the coming months before being handed in to MPs in Westminster this autumn, demonstrating growing concern about unhealthy food environments and public support for stronger regulation across the food system, including as part of the implementation of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and Government’s Food Strategy.
By the time they reach their first year of school, children in the most deprived fifth of the population are almost twice as likely to be living with obesity as those in the least deprived fifth. On average, children are eating less than half the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, while consuming around twice the recommended amount of sugar.
While families are being squeezed and food-related ill health is rising, many of the businesses currently driving unhealthy diets continue to generate strong returns with the government urgently needing to ensure commercial incentives aren’t designed to support this. There is too little accountability, and it is children who are paying the price through worsening health.
Backers of the Charter, which include the British Heart Foundation and Impact on Urban Health, say voluntary action has failed and that ministers must now act with more confidence. The campaign is calling for a healthier, fairer food system and for stronger safeguards to prevent food companies from weakening or delaying public health policy behind closed doors. With public support clear and growing, the time for bolder action is now.
Show your support for a healthier, fairer food system
https://www.recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance said: “At a time when families are struggling with expensive shopping baskets, the public can see exactly where the pressure is coming from – almost two thirds believe food companies have increased prices beyond what is necessary to protect profits, while only 3% think regulation is to blame for higher food prices.
“With the 10 Year Health Plan and the forthcoming food strategy, government has a major opportunity to supercharge its moonshot to end the obesity epidemic by creating a food system that makes healthier choices easier, more affordable and more accessible for every family.”
John Maingay, Director of Policy at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Poor diet is fuelling ill‑health across the UK, including high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease. Too much salt, sugar and unhealthy fat hidden in everyday food is putting millions of hearts at risk, and it’s simply not fair to keep asking families to ‘choose better’ in a food system stacked against them.
“That’s why we’re backing this campaign and calling on government to take decisive, mandatory action to ensure food companies make everyday food healthier, so healthier choices are affordable, accessible and the easy choice for everyone.”
Dr Kawther Hashem, Senior Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition and Head of Research and Impact at Action on Salt & Sugar based at Queen Mary University of London said: “It’s never been clearer that people across the country want and deserve food that is both healthier and more affordable – yet government and the food industry continue to fall short.
“We have decades of evidence showing food can be made with far less salt and sugar, but as the polling shows, nearly 8 in 10 people don’t believe this will happen without strong government action.
For too long, responsibility for making better choices has been unfairly pushed onto families, even when the system works so hard against them, driving record levels of diet-related ill health. Signing the Charter is an important way for the public to demand change, take back control, and call for a food system built on transparency, accountability and public health, not profit.
“The findings echo what citizens have said in campaign focus groups and that is people are tired of being told to “make better choices” in a food environment that is stacked against them and fundamentally unfair.”
Dr Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and Advocacy, The Food Foundation, said: “This research brings to life the challenges felt by citizens up and down the country with accessing healthy and affordable food.
“We know voluntary action doesn’t work – we need strong government directions and policies to level the playing field and ensure that all companies play their role in supporting citizens to access the healthy and affordable food they clearly want.
“The NHS Plan set out a clear vision – but we know there’s much more that can be done to shift the incentives in our system to support good growth for businesses, while also protecting our health.”
Show your support for a healthier, fairer food system
https://www.recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2087 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th – 10th March 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD comments:
🧑🏽🧑🏼🧒🏽 We’re proud to support Recipe for Change, which today launches We’re Fed Up!: A people-powered call for healthy, affordable food.
Too many people across the UK can’t find or afford healthy food where they live. Families are having to fight the system just to feed their kids well. And children are growing up in food environments that work against them, not for them.
@edincomfood believe everyone deserves access to healthy, affordable food, no matter where they live. That’s why we’re backing this citizen-led call for a food system that works better for all of us.
If you agree, add your name:
recipeforchange.org.uk/we-are-fed-up/
We have a range of low-cost recipes on our website:
Edinburgh man to bring joy of Scottish music to people with dementia at new Fringe show
SINGALONG FOR SCOTLAND
A former business executive is swapping spreadsheets for songs to perform for people with dementia at the Edinburgh Fringe in memory of his father.
Johnny Collington, 62, who lives in the capital, first picked up the instrument in a bid to connect with his dad Stan, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia. Stan, originally from Motherwell, passed away in February aged 99.
Johnny is now registered to perform a series of shows at the Fringe in August to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
The married dad-of-two, who was born in Irvine but grew up in Lanarkshire, said: “I had been living and working in London for many years, but I took early retirement and moved back to Scotland, to Edinburgh, about six years ago. My mum Betty had passed away and my dad was in his early 90s and needed more support.
“My dad was diagnosed initially with severe cognitive impairment but his condition progressed quickly to dementia. He moved into a care home and soon could no longer communicate.
“I’d never been much of a musician in the past, but I owned a guitar and knew a few chords. By chance I took the guitar with me to visit dad and tried to play and sing a couple of traditional Scottish songs that I knew he liked.
“Amazingly, as soon as I started playing I could see him connect with me and start singing along. It was remarkable how he suddenly came to life. I realised then that music is a great connector.
“From that point I started seriously teaching myself how to play the guitar and looked for more songs to sing – anything quite traditionally Scottish with a good beat is always a winner.”
Before long, Johnny was asked by the manager of his dad’s care home if he would play for all the residents – many of whom also had dementia. Word soon spread and he now plays at 12 care homes, centres and other venues from Perth to North Lanarkshire and across the east coast, including at Alzheimer Scotland’s outdoor dementia resource centre at Lauriston Castle.
Johnny said: “I get the same reaction from the other people with dementia who I play for as I did from my dad. It’s fantastic how everyone brightens up when they hear the music and join in.
“One chap who was non-verbal and would usually seem quite disconnected, suddenly sat up, took a tambourine and started hitting it in time with the music.
“I’m a bit nervous about the Fringe but also really looking forward to performing and being part of such a world-famous festival. My shows are aimed at people with dementia but also to anyone who enjoys traditional Scottish music. It feels great to be on a new journey now and to be able to give back to the community.
“I want to keep doing what I can to bring music to people living with dementia and to support the amazing work of Alzheimer Scotland for as long as I can.”
- Johnny Collington will be performing his show, Singalong for Scotland, at the LifeCare Centre in Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, each day from August 7 to 14, from 3pm to 4pm. Find out more at: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sing-a-long-scotland
- Find out more about Alzheimer Scotland at www.alzscot.org, or call their 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline at 0808 808 3000.
Frame Running gives people with MS the freedom to exercise
Researchers at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh have found that Frame Running, an adapted form of physical activity, could offer a safe new way for people with advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to take part in sport and exercise. The results of the study, suggests that Frame Running can help people with walking difficulties stay active in a way that feels both enjoyable and achievable, and which could benefit their health and wellbeing.
Frame Running involves exercise with a purpose-built trike which consists of three wheels and has a saddle and handlebars. The frame is propelled by the athlete’s feet and steered by hands or arms.
Its design offers stability and support while walking or running, which may suit many people with mobility and balance issues, including people living with MS. Frame Running has recently been included as a Para-athletic event in the 2028 Paralympic games in Los Angeles and is increasing in popularity in the UK and worldwide, with local clubs springing up across Scotland in places such as East Lothian, Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Perthshire and Aberdeen.
The study, funded by the UK MS Society, builds on work by QMU’s Professor Marietta van der Linden, which has explored the potential of Frame Running to support mobility, cardiovascular health and personal confidence in young people with cerebral palsy.
The latest study, now extends that understanding to people living with MS.
The 12-week research project, which brought participants together for weekly sessions at a local athletics track, offers an encouraging picture. It reveals new possibilities for a group that often encounters significant barriers to physical activity.
Professor Marietta van der Linden, a Human Movement scientist at QMU, said: “People with MS, who experience difficulties walking, often have very few ways to exercise safely outdoors at an intensity that genuinely benefits their health. Frame Running may provide people with these positive health effects, while also offering a sense of speed, freedom and confidence that many thought they had lost.”
The study, which involved 10 participants, showed that Frame Running enabled most people to reach heart rate levels typically associated with moderate to vigorous exercise. Participants showed strong commitment, attending almost every session, and importantly, no serious safety issues were reported.
Most participants enjoyed the experience so much that they continued attending Frame Running sessions offered by the local athletics club long after the study finished, highlighting its appeal and real-world potential.
Dr Gary McEwan, Research Fellow at QMU and lead author, added: “Seeing participants reach meaningful exercise intensities was incredibly encouraging.
“These levels of activity are linked to improved fitness, better symptom management and enhanced quality of life – yet they’re rarely accessible to people living with significant disability.”
CASE STUDY
Helen Isserlis, a former nurse from East Lothian, developed MS almost 30 years ago. With significantly declining mobility, she certainly didn’t expect to be running around a track at 59 years of age.
But she recently stumbled upon Frame Running and its enabled her to take part in intensive exercise for the first time in decades. Her participation in the adapted sport has not only restored her movement, it’s offered a sense of freedom and possibility that she’d thought she’d lost.
“I can’t hop, skip, jump, and I certainly can’t run. But Frame Running has changed my whole mindset. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I look forward to what I can do.”
Helen trains once or twice a week with Team East Lothian at Meadowmill stadium in Prestonpans.
She said: “It gets your heart rate up, your blood pumping and your legs moving. Afterwards, my hips and legs feel far looser, and my pain is reduced. I can now do intensive bursts of exercise, which would have been impossible before, and I’m working up to a 5k in one go.
“Frame Running has transformed what is physically possible for me. It’s restored my independence, confidence and joy. It’s made me feel alive again.”
While the study was small and exploratory, the findings mark an important next step in a research journey that has already shown Frame Running to be beneficial for other disability groups.
Caitlin Astbury, Senior Research Communications Manager at the MS Society, said: “Research shows being physically active can improve mobility, muscle strength and mood, and help manage MS symptoms like balance problems and fatigue. But we also know it can be difficult for people with advanced MS to find an exercise routine that works for them.
“This research from QMU provides early but promising evidence that Frame Running could be a safe and enjoyable way for people with mobility difficulties to take part in moderate to intense exercise.
“There are more than 17,000 people living with MS in Scotland, and over 150,000 people in the UK. The condition affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord and impacts how people move, think, and feel. Studies like this help to identify and raise awareness of different types of exercise that people with MS may benefit from. We hope to see more research in this area in the future.”
Dr McEwan concluded: “This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that Frame Running can transform what is possible for people with mobility impairments.
We would therefore encourage more people with MS and other mobility issues to try Frame Running. We’d also love to see further development of Frame Running groups in the community such as within athletics clubs across Scotland and beyond, so that more people with MS have easy access to the sport, equipment and the joy and camaraderie often associated with being part of a sports club.”
To find out more about the research view the research paper.
Police Scotland: National Stalking Awareness Week
Hundreds of people report being victims of stalking each year in Scotland
Police Scotland recorded 744 stalking offences between 1 April to 31 December 2025, up from 686 in the same period the year before, with detection rates of 78.13% and 80.88%, respectively. Almost half of these crimes were related to domestic offending.
National Stalking Awareness Week runs between 20 and 26 April and Police Scotland is joining forces with partner Action Against Stalking to highlight the impact of stalking and harassment and call out the importance of supporting victims.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Sergeant, lead for domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, Police Scotland, said: “The impact of stalking and harassment on victims cannot be underestimated.
“As well as causing fear and alarm, it impacts on how they live their lives, how safe they feel, how they act and how they react. Police Scotland will continue to collaborate with partner agencies to protect and support victims of stalking and actively pursue perpetrators to prevent further harm.
“Every stalking situation is unique, but most stalkers demonstrate FOUR distinct types of behaviours: fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated.
“Victims can be subjected to unwanted calls, texts, or messages. It can include hacking into devices and installing tracking apps, taking control of someone’s social media profile, or sharing or threatening to share photos, videos, or personal information.
“If you or anyone you know is a victim of stalking, then please contact the police. We will listen.
“Information people share with us is vital in helping us put together that jigsaw of incidents and behaviours that taken together allows us to evidence stalking.
“Action Against Stalking advises keeping a log of incidents, and this can be extremely helpful for our investigations.
“We will assess the risk, put in place a safety plan and work with partners to ensure support is available.
“National Stalking Awareness Week is a reminder to us all of the impact of stalking and harassment and the importance of partnership in tackling this insidious abuse.”
Hayley Tennant, Action Against Stalking CEO said: “Stalking can have a devastating and long lasting impact on victims, affecting their sense of safety, wellbeing, and everyday freedom. It is not a series of minor incidents but a pattern of behaviour that can escalate and cause serious harm.
“National Stalking Awareness Week is an opportunity to remind victims that they are not alone, that support is available, and that early reporting and documenting incidents can be crucial in helping them regain control and stay safe. We always encourage individuals who are experiencing stalking to contact and report to Police Scotland.”
“If you or anyone you know is a victim of stalking and harassment then please contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency. People can also report online, or via a third party like Action Against Stalking.”
Jane’s simple breast check gave her more time with the people she loves
If Jane McNiven (63), a GP Practice Manager from Alexandria, hadn’t checked her breasts in front of a mirror at home, she may never have known she had breast cancer and might have missed out on a year filled with precious family moments, and many more still to come.
Just over a year ago, Jane was lying in bed when she noticed something didn’t feel quite right when she lay on her side. It felt like a small lump, but when she stood up, it disappeared. Trusting her instincts, Jane decided to check her breasts properly in the mirror.
Standing face on and placing her hands around her neck, she could clearly see that something looked different in her right breast.
“It would have been completely undetectable if I hadn’t checked in front of the mirror,” said Jane. “I am so glad I did, because otherwise I would have just carried on as normal, completely unaware that anything was wrong.”
Jane contacted her GP and was quickly referred to the Breast Clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for scans and a biopsy.
“It all happened very quickly. I was told I would need surgery followed by chemotherapy. It was a huge rollercoaster of emotions, but I felt grateful that I had found the lump early and that treatment could start straight away.”
Following surgery, Jane felt well enough to continue working between treatments.
“I was very fortunate to feel relatively well physically, but cancer also brings a mental and emotional load. I decided to focus on looking after my health and getting on with life as much as I could.”
Jane and her family are passionate dog lovers and, just before her diagnosis, she had taken on two new puppies bringing her total to four Scottish Highland Terriers (Scotties): Edward, Ebony, Tromie and Dugald.
“My family and the dogs kept me going. I walked them every day, which really helped keep my fitness levels up. I then decided to start walking to raise money for cancer charities.”
Jane’s granddaughters, Daphne (11) and Evie (9), also wanted to help. They organised a school fundraiser through the charity event Scotties in the City, raising money for Maggie’s, the cancer support charity. Earlier this year, the girls attended Crufts, where they were awarded the Young Person’s Award in recognition of their fundraising efforts.
“Going to Crufts is really special for our family, and seeing the girls recognised for their fundraising was one of my proudest moments,” said Jane.
“It’s something I might never have experienced if I hadn’t checked my breasts, been diagnosed early and received treatment.”
Now recovering and looking to the future, Jane is determined to share her message with others.
“I urge everyone to check their breasts regularly. Look, feel, and know what’s normal for you. Even if you attend regular screening or have recently been given an all-clear, changes can still happen in between.
“Checking my breasts, especially looking in the mirror, saved my life. Please make it something you do for yourself.”
Rosemary Stevens, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Jane’s story is a reminder of why being breast aware is so important. Breast screening can save lives, but it is also vital that people know how their breasts normally look and feel and check for changes in between screening appointments.
“Also, this is important for women who may not yet have reached the routine screening age of 50.
“Checking your breasts doesn’t need to take long and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. NHS Inform advises looking at your breasts in the mirror with your arms by your sides and then raised, and feeling all areas of the breast, up to the collarbone and into the armpit, using both light and firmer pressure. What matters most is getting to know what’s normal for you.
“If you notice any change, whether it’s a lump, a change in shape, skin texture, nipple position or discharge, please contact your GP practice without delay. Finding cancer early often means treatment is more straightforward and outcomes are better.”
Changes in breasts to be aware of are:
- a lump or bump, or an area of thickened tissue on one or both breasts
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a lump or swelling in either armpit
- skin on either breast that looks like orange peel
- crusting on or around either nipple
- a leaking nipple, that may or may not include blood
- dimples on your breast, or skin that’s become drawn in
- a nipple that’s become turned in
For more information on checking your breasts visit:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/breast-screening
For more information on NHSGGC cancer screening visit:
Scotland’s Greatest XI revealed as Specsavers-backed Football Memories tour wraps up in Motherwell
As Scotland prepares for its first FIFA Men’s World Cup appearance in 28 years, Specsavers and Football Memories have unveiled Scotland’s Greatest XI, a team selected by participants from nearly 600 Football Memories groups across the country.
The players, chosen by those who have lived through their careers and watched them in action, represent the best of Scottish football from 1945 to 1998.
The Motherwell Football Memories group hosted its first-ever session at Fir Park, marking a key milestone for the project. Former Scotland captain Gary McAllister returned to his hometown to reveal the Greatest XI. His involvement added a personal touch to the occasion, making the event even more special for attendees.
The initiative, which supports people living with memory loss conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation, brings together group members from all over Scotland. It celebrates the nations footballing history and connects individuals through their shared love of the game.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Scotland’s legendary forward, received the most votes and was named Scotland’s greatest-ever player, taking the captaincy of the team. The full team includes:
- Starting XI: Andy Goram (GK), Danny McGrain, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Tommy Gemmell, Jimmy Johnstone, Graeme Souness, Billy Bremner, Davie Cooper, Sir Kenny Dalglish (C), and Denis Law.
- Bench: Jim Leighton (GK), Billy McNeill, Maurice Malpas, Paul McStay, Dave Mackay, Jim Baxter, and Ally McCoist.
Gary McAllister, one of 60 shortlisted players, shared his excitement: ‘It was an absolute privilege to be a part of the first Football Memories session at Fir Park.
“Coming back to my hometown of Motherwell brought back so many great memories. The ‘Greatest XI’ chosen by the participants truly represents the talent that has shaped Scottish football, and it was incredible to see so many passionate fans reflect on these legends.’
For the third season in a row, the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner of the Scottish FA, Specsavers, has facilitated the Football Memories project by enabling football legends and retired referees to speak with the participants, helping to spark cherished memories and connect people through the shared love of football.
The Specsavers-supported tour, which has visited Inverness, Arbroath, Paisley, Ayr, and concluded in Motherwell, gave participants the chance to meet football legends and former referees. At Fir Park, alongside ex-Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister, Donald McVicar, one of Scotland’s most respected referees, shared stories from his remarkable career, offering an unforgettable experience for the group.
Donald spent 25 years as a referee, taking charge of hundreds of matches between 1969 and 1994, and later served as the Scottish FA’s Head of Referee Development before retiring at 65.
Donald’s final match was the 1994 Scottish Cup Final, where he served as an assistant referee. He has also since worked as a referee observer for FIFA and UEFA.
The 82-year-old said: ‘It was a delight to join Gary and speak to the group at Fir Park, a football ground with real significance in my career, given its proximity to where I grew up. It was great to share memories with their brand-new Football Memories group.
‘Football has an incredible power to connect people, no matter their age or background, and being part of this tour with Specsavers shows how important these sessions are for those living with memory loss. With Scotland heading into a big summer, it’s a brilliant time to look back on the game and forward to what is ahead.’
Specsavers supported the memory boxes for the referee tour and helped add exciting new memorabilia, including vintage football boots and match-day programmes, to support group discussions. Long-term memories were often reawakened through these visual cues, unlocking cherished moments from the past.
Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, said: ‘It was wonderful to welcome both Gary and Donald to Motherwell as the tour continues to demonstrate the real impact Football Memories has across Scotland.
“The stories from their extraordinary careers were hugely enjoyed, and Specsavers’ continued support is invaluable in allowing us to deliver these sessions for people living with memory loss or isolation.’
Laura Baird, Scotland Divisional Chair for Specsavers, added: ‘Specsavers is proud to continue supporting Football Memories for a third season and to help bring these special moments to communities across Scotland.
‘We wish the national team the very best of luck Stateside this summer.’
Specsavers renewed its sponsorship deal with the Scottish FA in 2024, becoming the Official Eye and Ear Care Partner and extending one of the longest partnerships in sport. The agreement runs through to 2028 and includes continued support for referee training and development, as well as raising awareness of grassroots and local football across the country.
NAE SUPER JOHN McGINN? JOHN GREIG? – Ed.
HEAD ON: Tackling the mental health crisis
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Today MHF joined 20+ mental health charities to launch the Head On campaign
Together, we can build a modern mental health system with prevention at its heart.
This starts by giving mental health the political focus it deserves.
It’s time to tackle the mental health crisis Head On.
Find out more at headoncampaign.org.