Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Edinburgh venues have welcomed the return of their ‘GReat Donate’ festive fundraiser, to raise money for specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.
The fundraiser launched during the 2022 festive season, coinciding with the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger restaurant in the St James Quarter. They raised an incredible £15,642 as a result which Gordon and Tana Ramsay then generously matched to give the charity an extra special funds boost.
This year, a £1 voluntary donation will be added to diner’s bills at the St Andrew Square restaurant and St James Quarter restaurant until the end of December 2023.
The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.
A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said:“SBH Scotland are a fantastic charity which makes a real difference to the lives of so many families across Scotland who are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
“We’re delighted to bring back our Festive Fundraiser to our Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and Street Burger restaurants in Edinburgh and we hope our diners will be happy to make a small gesture this Christmas, that’ll have a big impact on families across Scotland.
Lawrence Cowan, Chief Executive of SBH Scotland, said: “As our Honorary Patron, Gordon has been a great friend of our charity for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful for his and Tana’s continued generosity.
“Over the years, Gordon has taken time out from his busy schedule to host gala dinners, launch appeals including the campaign to build our Family Support Centre, and personally meet with the families we support.
“Right now, people need our support more than ever. Christmas can be a difficult time and with the burden of the cost-of-living crisis looming heavily in families lives, our finance, benefits and specialist support services are needed more than ever. Through this campaign people can help make sure that no one affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus feels alone.
“We rely on donations to make sure our lifeline support continues, so being able to work with the brilliant teams at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants again means a lot to us and the families we support.
“We thank all the diners visiting Bread Street Kitchen or Street Burger this festive season. Every £1 donated matters to a family in need. It’s a chance to enjoy great food and support a great cause this Christmas.”
The much-anticipated launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger restaurant in Edinburgh is due to take place on 1 December but the capital’s eager foodies can grab a sneak-peak and bite to eat when the doors open early on the 28th of November for a charity fundraising day.
The launch day will allow guests to enjoy Scotland’s first Street Burger restaurant with all proceeds going to the restaurant’s charity partner, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland. SBH Scotland Honorary Patron, Gordon Ramsay OBE, has also pledged to match all the proceeds from the day to ensure the charity get an extra special festive funds boost.
In a bid to further bolster the charity partnership, from the 29th until the end of December, a £1 voluntary donation will be added to diners’ bills at Street Burger as well as the St Andrew Square restaurant, Bread Street Kitchen and Bar.
The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said: “We have been working on the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger for a long time and we are very much looking forward to opening the doors to our first burger restaurant in Scotland.
“This special launch day gives us the opportunity to showcase our food whilst giving back to SBH Scotland and supporting all the incredible work the charity does to help families in Scotland.”
Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For nearly 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.
Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “Gordon Ramsay has been a great friend of SBH Scotland for nearly two decades and we remain thankful to him and his restaurant teams for such continued generosity.
“Funds raised at this time of year are crucial for the dedicated support we can provide now and for the next 12 months. As well as our personal home and hospital support, health check clinics, counselling service and groups we’ve also just extended our financial support service for families affected by the cost of living crisis. We heavily rely on fundraising to reach our annual targets and we are grateful for every pound donated.
“This festive season, we hope all diners visiting Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger will be happy to know that every meal they have will help us continue supporting thousands of families at a time when they need it the most.”
For more information on SBH Scotland and Gordon’s festive fundraiser is so important, please visit: https://www.sbhscotland.org.uk/
A Drumbrae children’s nursery have been so inspired by one of their children that they decided to organise a sponsored walk and obstacle course to raise funds for specialist disability charity, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.
One year old Arthur MacDonald, a pupil at the local nursery, has spina bifida myelomeningocele. He was the first baby in Edinburgh to have his spina bifida lesion operated on whilst still in his mother’s womb through a pioneering in-utero surgery in Brussels. Despite the eventful start to his life, he continues to amaze his family every day with his progress.
It’s this inspirational story, as well as his cheery disposition, that was the trigger for the Drumbrae Edinburgh nursery to organise a sponsored walk around the outskirts of Fauldburn Park, raising funds for SBH Scotland, who offer support to children and families affected by these disabilities.
The sun shone and over 50 children, siblings, parents and pooches set off on their walk and raising an amazing £2,293.60 in the process.
Gayle Sim, Administrator at the nursery said:“Arthur is a lovely wee boy, and we are delighted he and his parents chose us as his nursery. We could think of no better charity to choose as our nominated charity for the year than SBH Scotland and this seemed the perfect way to start our fundraising.
She continued: “We’re overwhelmed at having raised such a phenomenal amount and we can’t wait to raise more for this amazing charity throughout the year. A massive thank you to everyone who got involved.”
SBH Scotland provide a lifetime commitment of support and information to anyone affected by the rare, complex disabilities of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. They offer a range of services across Scotland including 1-2-1 support in home, hospital and nurseries/schools, a helpline, an adapted holiday cottage, health and wellness clinics and support groups.
Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland said:“We’re incredibly grateful to the nursery as their generous donation will go towards our family support service which provides key workers, who can offer personalised support and run activities and clubs for families like the MacDonald/Milligan’s.
“Each year we need to raise £1million pounds and without donations like this, we wouldn’t be there for families at a time when they need us the most.” If you are affected by spina bifida and would like support or information, please visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk.
If you’d like to create your own fundraising challenge or take part in a sponsored activity please contact Lynsey Hamilton, Fundraising Manager, on 03455 211 600 or email fundraising@sbhscotland.org.uk
Two Scottish Drag Queens are set to leap from a platform suspended 40ft above the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie, as part of a charity bungee jump, and they are calling on more people to take part.
The two fierce Queens have already signed up to slay the epic challenge which has been organised in aid of Scottish charity, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland.)
The brave and glamorous participants will take the leap on Sunday 5 June, coinciding with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, but Cherry West, one of the youngest drag queens in Scotland, and supporter of SBH Scotland, is now urging others to get involved in the fundraising celebrations.
Cherry West said: “What better way to mark Queen Elizabeth’s long and proud reign of Britain than to throw yourself into an adrenaline fuelled bungee jump to help those who need it most.
“So far, we’ve got two Drag Queens taking part, but we want this to be the biggest drag charity challenge in the country, so I’m calling on all my fabulous friends to join us in this extravaganza.
“SBH Scotland is an incredible organisation, doing great work, with little statutory support. Like lots of other charities the last two years have been devastating for the organisation and its important that as many people as possible get behind this event.”
Deborah Roe, director of fundraising at SBH Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to have someone with Cherry’s energy, enthusiasm and kind heartedness involved with our organisation.
“This event will be our second big outdoor fundraising challenge of the year and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to it and watch as they all take on this spectacular bungee jump this Summer.”
Funds raised by the participants of the bungee jump event will go back into the charity which directly supports over 3,500 people affected by the lifelong disabilities of spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The organisation carries out vital services for those who need it most, including offering home support workers, financial advice, and group family sessions.
SBH Scotland’s Jubilee Bungee Jump and Highland Swing Challenge is open to everyone (aged 15 and over) and will take place on Sunday 5 June 2022 at the Pass of Killiecrankie, a dramatic gorge on the River Garry in Perth & Kinross.
For more information, or to register, please visit:
Charities across the country split prize fund awarded for work to transform communities
Three charities with bases in Scotland have been named among the winners and runners-up of this year’s ScottishPower Foundation Awards, taking home their share of a £30,000 prize fund.
The Awards celebrate benevolent work in local communities throughout the UK, with organisations judged in four categories for the Innovation Award, the Education Award, the Community Engagement Award and the Charity Champion Award, which gives special recognition to the outstanding contribution made by an exceptional employee or volunteer who exemplifies what their organisation stands for.
Winners in each category receive an additional £5,000 funding boost, with runners-up receiving £2,500.
The Education Award was won by Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, based in Glasgow, for its work to help children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus be fully included in education and the learning experience.
The judges recognised the charity’s work to support each child individually and to tailor its support to their bespoke needs. For example, it worked with partner organisations to ensure one child who required crutches to get around was able to fully participate in sporting activities at his school.
The charity was also praised for its work to celebrate what makes the children it supports unique and ensure they all have the best possible start in life.
Donna Mackey, from The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland, based in East Lothian, was crowned the Charity Champion for her work with isolated older people during the pandemic.
Donna mapped out bespoke exercise programmes that were originally to be carried out in person, but due to the virus had to be taken online through Zoom meetings. Donna single-handedly produced videos to encourage members to carry out physical activities at home.
As well as this, she created a new ‘Keep in Touch’ bag, which contained physical equipment to help people participate and DVDs of exercises for those who don’t have access to online video calls. The judges noted Donna’s ability to adapt to what was needed and tailor her work to individuals, putting on quizzes or catch-up chats for those who didn’t want to participate in exercise.
Lucy Abbeels, 12, from Edinburgh, was named runner-up in the Charity Champion category for raising over £6,000 for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland while receiving ongoing support from the charity herself.
Lucy’s fundraising journey began with the Cumbernauld Victory Mile in 2012. Since then, she has completed numerous Kiltwalks – “go Team Lucy!” Even lockdown couldn’t stop her; in May, Lucy took part in the 2.6 Challenge, raising £1,000 for the charity.
Starcatchers Productions was named runner-up in the Community Engagement Award category for supporting families who are most negatively impacted by the pandemic and more likely to experience greater levels of isolation.
The charity set up a menu of digital creative play activities and helped deliver over 2,000 creative play parcels for families living in poverty.
Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee of the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Huge congratulations to the winners and runners-up of this year’s ScottishPower Foundation Awards, who are all real beacons of light in these challenging times. We’re so proud of their achievements and pleased to further recognise their tremendous efforts to change lives for the better.
“What’s especially pleasing is the wide range of activities and support services these Awards celebrate – whether keeping older people connected, supporting disabled young people to live full and fulfilling lives, providing key support to children affected by domestic abuse, or taking a whole community approach to addressing homelessness and hardship. However, the one thing they all have in common is the incredible difference they make to the lives of others.
“We’re honoured to recognise all our winners, runners-up and finalists who bring the values of the ScottishPower Foundation Awards to life every day.”
The awards are open to recipients of this year’s ScottishPower Foundation funding, which saw £1.2m awarded to 21 charities delivering projects across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Due to social distancing restrictions, the winners were announced on ScottishPower’s Twitter channel – @ScottishPower.
This year’s judging panel was made up of a host of experts from ScottishPower, the third sector, education and communications including Arthur McIvor, Senior Client Manager for Energy & Utility Skills; Juliet Simpson, Founder and CEO of Stripe Communications; Sheila Duncan, Human Resources Director for ScottishPower; and Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee of the ScottishPower Foundation.
The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 to make a significant and lasting contribution to society, enhancing the lives of people living in communities throughout the UK. It provides funding to help support the advancement of education, environmental protection, arts and culture and citizenship. It also supports charities who aim to provide relief from poverty, disability, or other disadvantages.
The winners and runners up this year are outlined below:
Based in North Tyneside and Northumberland, the Acorns Project offers a range of services to support families affected by domestic abuse such as counselling, first response and adult support services.
Whizz-Kidz aims to transform the lives of disabled children across the UK, supporting them to become confident and independent young adults by providing the equipment, support, and life skills they need in order to develop their full potential.
Bangor University (Reaching Wider North and Mid Wales Partnership) works alongside primary and secondary school pupils as well as adults with no formal qualifications to increase higher education participation among lower socio-economic groups.
South Tyneside Churches KEY Project works with young people and their families to help develop the skills they need to live independently, become good citizens, and reach their full potential.
Starcatchers is Scotland’s National Arts and Early Years organisation specialising in creating performances and exploring creative activity for babies, toddlers and young children aged 0-5 and the adults who care for them.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Donna sprang to action to ensure that support for the elderly participants, many of whom living with long-term conditions such as dementia and depression, would continue. Donna set up weekly Zoom session and single-handedly produced exercise videos featuring her own grandmother for the participants to follow at home. Sporting Memories Foundation tackles dementia, depression, and loneliness through the power of sports reminiscence by bringing together older adults, as well as providing social and physical activities.
Lucy has been raising money for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland since she was 4 years old, and to-date has raised over £6000 while receiving support from the charity herself. Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotlandseeks to increase public awareness and understanding of individuals with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and allied conditions. It aims to support all those affected to identify their needs and to empower them to make informed choices and decisions.
