Tag: Milan

Festive window display pays tribute to Edinburgh charity hero

  • Local Edinburgh legend is honoured in a festive food window display on North Bridge
  • Shikha Ahuja a member of Milan Senior Welfare Organisation has been nominated by the charity for her dedication to supporting and sharing joy with Edinburgh’s elderly South Asian community
  • Supported by Pret, Shikha is being commemorated in a window display – inclusive of her story coupled with a QR code where people can donate to The Pret Foundation to make a difference to those affected by hunger, poverty, and homelessness
  • Additional windows in Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Manchester showcase the nation’s most joyous moments of 2024 – Pret is encouraging the public to visit their nearest shop and #ShareTheJoy

In a heartwarming celebration of community spirit and festive joy, Edinburgh’s very own local legend, Shikha Ahuja, is being honoured in a vibrant Christmas window display at Pret A Manger on North Bridge.

Shikha Ahuja, 54, a dedicated member of the Milan Senior Welfare Organisation, has been nominated by the charity for her enthusiastic and unwavering commitment over five years. Shikha brings joy, connection, and a dash of Bollywood magic to the elderly amongst Edinburgh’s South Asian community.

She is always looking for ways to enhance the lives of others, from organising cooking clubs and yoga sessions, through to leading a digital literacy programme for senior citizens, to help them become better connected and combat loneliness. 

As a tribute, Shikha is being commemorated in a window display that perfectly captures the festive season – complete with a garland featuring food from Pret’s Christmas menu.

Shikha says: “I’m truly humbled to be featured in this beautiful display. For me, it’s about more than just providing a service.

“It’s about spreading warmth and helping older people feel more loved and less alone, whether by reconnecting them with family on Zoom or creating spaces to socialise through community arts and crafts.

“I feel blessed by everyone I help and grow a little each day.

“To be celebrated in this festive display, surrounded by the spirit of generosity and community, is so uplifting. A huge thank you to the team at Milan Senior Welfare Organisation, The Pret Foundation and everyone who works towards making Edinburgh a more connected community.”

The Edinburgh display is part of a national celebration of joy, with additional windows in Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Manchester showcasing the most joyous moments of 2024,  Top 10 list below. Pret is encouraging everyone to visit their local shop, admire the displays and share in the festive spirit by using the hashtag #ShareTheJoy on social media.

Katherine Bagshaw, UK Food and Coffee Director, said: “At Pret, we believe that Christmas is about bringing people together, celebrating, and sharing the joy. We’re thrilled to be able to tell inspiring stories of remarkable individuals who make a real difference in their community.

“Shikha’s nomination is testament to her dedication in helping others – thanks to The Pret Foundation, we’re able to provide food, resources, and support to those affected by hunger and homelessness, not just at Christmas but year-round.”

TOP 10 – 2024 MOMENTS OF JOY

  1. England men’s football team reaching the final of Euro 2024 (Really? – Ed.)
  2. David Attenborough celebrates 70 years of service as a conservationist and broadcaster
  3. Jude Bellingham’s overhead goal for England against Slovakia at Euro 2024
  4. The announcement of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special
  5. Keely Hodgkinson’s 800 meters gold at the Olympics for Team GB
  6. 16-year-old Luke Littler reaching the final of the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship
  7. Andy Murray’s emotional retirement match at Wimbledon
  8. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour
  9. Announcement of Oasis reforming
  10. The Coronation Street 65th anniversary special

Port of Leith’s Covid Response Fund supports local community organisations

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) £50,000 Covid Response Fund has provided 18 awards of between £500 and £2,500 to local charities and social enterprises that are rising to the challenge of alleviating the effects of the coronavirus epidemic on people living in the community.

Grants to six additional organisations are also being processed.

With a remit to fast track flexible access to grants where they will have the quickest benefits, the Fund has already helped provide emergency food provision for isolated or vulnerable people, purchased vital equipment to allow third sector staff to carry on supporting service users from home and helped a wide range of people (from older adults to school-age children) access vital online services and education during lock down.

PoLHA Group Chief Executive, Heather Kiteley, said: “Organisations across Leith and North Edinburgh seem to have adjusted to the new challenges created by lockdown astonishingly quickly. 

“They’ve been able to change both the ways they are working as well as the nature of the services they deliver in a few short weeks or even days.

“We’re thrilled to be able to support the life-changing work of community organisations through our Covid Response Fund which is helping organisations to create and develop crucial new services, from emergency food packages for vulnerable people isolating at home, to helping older adults bridge the digital divide and keep in touch with people.

“We hope to secure more funding to support even more organisations in the weeks ahead.”

Elaine Brown from the Edinburgh Remakery, which received a £2,000 grant from the Fund to provide refurbished laptop computers for vulnerable people in Leith to help them access digital services and keep in touch with loved ones, said: “Thank you so much for supporting the Edinburgh Remakery.

“This grant will not only support us in these challenging times, it will allow us to help vulnerable people within Leith and north Edinburgh to stay connected.”

The Milan Senior Welfare Organisation, which provides a range of services for older people from South Asian communities in Edinburgh and Lothian to meet their social, cultural, recreational, language and care needs, received a grant to buy laptops and phones to help staff work remotely, issue newsletters to keep in touch with service users and also buy bags and containers for hot food deliveries.

Sophia Latif from Milan Senior Welfare Organisation commented: “Funding like this is a lifeline to charities like us, especially when processed in such a timely manner.” 

West Pilton-based Fresh Start, which helps people who have been homeless to get set up in their new homes and settle in their community, received funding to support the most vulnerable individuals and families across Edinburgh by providing them with emergency packs of essential food, toiletries and cleaning products.

Freh Start’s Jen McQuistan said: “This funding will make a big difference to the people we are supporting, especially during these challenging times.”

All funds have now been allocated but PoLHA are very hopeful of securing more funding to distribute soon – keep an eye on www.polha.co.uk and on Twitter @PortofLeithHA /Facebook