Tag: Rock Trust

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates 75th anniversary with new 75p charity drive

The arts spectacular is calling on fans to choose a charity to receive a special 75p donation from every ticket sold for the 2025 performance

In celebration of the upcoming 75th anniversary, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo launches its new initiative to donate 75p of every 2025 Show ticket sold to a new charity.

Tattoo fans are being asked to vote from selected charities to receive this one-off donation which could equate to £162,000 in line with expected ticket sales.

The theme for next year’s Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, will spotlight the individuals who have shaped and supported the iconic performances over the past 75 years. This theme aligns with the Tattoo’s ethos of ‘Performance with a Purpose’ and its commitment to honour people across the country and support the heroes who are making a difference in their communities.

In line with this ethos and in addition to the brand’s annual charitable donations, five charities have been shortlisted to win the share of the 75p per ticket charity donation for one year only.

The shortlisted five charities have been nominated by Tattoo staff who put a case forward for them to be on the list, these are all non-military charities that are close to the hearts of those who put on the iconic spectacle.

They are: the British Heart Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Parkinsons UK, Rock Trust and St Columba’s Hospice Care.

The Tattoo’s annual charitable giving continues alongside this new initiative, as it aims to build up to pre-Covid donations of £1M a year which is thanks to those who attend the Show each year. Charities that are continuing to benefit include The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, the Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and the Scottish Schools Pipe and Drums Trust. 

Fans of the Tattoo across the UK are invited to cast their vote to determine which charity will receive the 75th anniversary donation.

Have your say and vote for your chosen charity through the link at: edintattoo.co.uk/news/have-your-vote 

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 5 January 2025. Stay updated by following Tattoo social media channels, where the winning charity will be announced in January 2025.

Jason Barrett, Chief Executive Officer at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “In celebrating 75 years of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we honour the heroes who have made the Tattoo so great throughout the years. Additionally, we honour the local heroes within our communities in Edinburgh, throughout Scotland, and around the world.

“Charitable giving is at the heart of everything the Tattoo does. Being able to contribute to our longstanding charitable partners as well as selecting a specific charity chosen by the Tattoo fans is a special benefit this year.

“We are committed to continuing our legacy of making a meaningful impact to those who continue to make a difference in our communities every day.

“I encourage everyone to join us in this celebration by casting their vote to support a worthy cause.”

Nominated Charities open for public vote:

Link to vote: edintattoo.co.uk/news/have-your-vote.

Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025.

Support for Rock Trust

The Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust (AVCT) is pleased to announce a donation of £3,000 to Rock Trust, Scotland’s dedicated youth homelessness charity.  

This funding will support Rock Trust’s efforts to expand their services, including increasing housing provision and introducing their innovative Youth Housing Hub model to Glasgow for the first time. 

Rock Trust was formed in 1990 after the discovery that young homeless people had been sleeping rough in the graveyard of St. Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh, and since then has grown its operation into Glasgow, the Lothians, Perth and Fife, and is committed to ending youth homelessness.  

In 2023 alone, the organization helped over 1,100 young people to avoid, or move on from, homelessness; like Danny, who came to Rock Trust at the age of 16. 

Danny was living at home with his mum. Their relationship was troubled to the extent that his aunt had referred him to Rock Trust in the hope that their Early Intervention Programme might improve their relationship through 1-to-1 counselling. 

But when an argument between Danny and his mum eventually turned violent, it became clear that he was no longer safe. Rock Trust were quickly able to move him into a shared flat with other young people and a supportive flatmate. 

Danny’s support worker has helped him to access financial support and explore his potential. He has started going to art therapy and has completed an external employability course. 

At 16, Danny didn’t just need a home, he needed help to process everything that had happened to him, help to discover his potential, guidance on developing essential life skills, and ultimately help to make the transition to adulthood. 

Speaking of his experience with Rock Trust, Danny said, “I am more free, I’m happier, and I’m treated like an actual person. I’ve been given opportunities to do stuff and meet new people.  

“I think I’m a better person, less antisocial. A lot of bad stuff would have happened if I didn’t have the Rock Trust. I’ve even got a better relationship with my mum now we don’t live together.” 

The charity focuses on three strategic pillars: prioritizing prevention, increasing housing availability, and ensuring a focus on future opportunities for young people.  

Calum Wright, Trusts and Grants Fundraising Lead at Rock Trust, highlighted the urgency of their work: “Scotland is facing a housing emergency which is disproportionately affecting our young people.

“At Rock Trust, we believe that accommodation, support, education, and employment are the best routes off the streets and away from the misery that accompanies homelessness.

“Thanks to supporters like the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, we can help more young people avoid, survive, and move on from homelessness for good.” 

This donation from the AVCT will play a crucial role in Rock Trust’s mission to combat youth homelessness amid rising costs, cuts in statutory funding, and an increasingly competitive fundraising environment. 

David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles Group, expressed his support, stating: “Homelessness is a heartbreakingly real prospect for many young people and a frightening reality for others.

“We are proud to support Rock Trust in their vital work to provide immediate and effective assistance to those in need and to help them build a stable future.

Our contribution aims to ensure that more young people have access to safe housing and essential ongoing support to rebuild and lead healthy, independent lives.” 

Experts meet to find solutions to Scotland’s housing crisis

Meeting held at launch of second round of Nationwide’s Community Grants programme in Scotland

  • Issues include challenges faced by young people, those in rural isolation and those struggling to access private rental accommodation
  • Solutions discussed include providing skills around budgeting and maintaining a home and working with landlords to help them support their tenants

Continue reading Experts meet to find solutions to Scotland’s housing crisis

National Lottery delivers funding support to tackle homelessness

Homelessness projects are today the focus of over £3 million in National Lottery funding, set to increase third sector led provision, helping prevent Scots losing their tenancies and becoming homeless. Continue reading National Lottery delivers funding support to tackle homelessness

Zoo sleepover raises over £24,000

Cold comfort: Fundraisers get a taste of what life’s like for Edinburgh’s homeless people

homeless

Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost and 126 hardy local fundraisers braved the elements through Thursday night at Edinburgh Zoo to raise funds for charities supporting homeless people.

Together they raised £24,340 – and counting – to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.

The open air sleep out, which took place close to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs, was compered by Grant Stott. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers and comedian Susan Morrison, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.

The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.

“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.” 

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.

“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”

Heather Arni, Chief Executive of Four Square, said: “On behalf of myself, The Board, staff and importantly our young people I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Lady Provost and her team, the staff of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, all the individuals who attended and those who have donated.

“Such an event has enabled both charities to raise awareness of young people’s homelessness in Edinburgh and the services that work tirelessly across the city working with vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.”

Kate Polson, Chief Executive of the Rock Trust, added: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that.

“The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”