The Proclaimers set walking challenge for Edinburgh resident

You don’t have to walk 500 miles to raise funds for Mary’s Meals this summer

The Proclaimers famously sang about walking 500 miles – and now the musical brothers are asking people in Edinburgh to take on their own walking challenge to help Mary’s Meals feed hungry children. 

The Scottish duo is calling for residents to take part in the charity’s Move for Meals campaign, which encourages people to raise sponsorship while getting active.  

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children to the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a brighter future.   

The Proclaimers – Craig and Charlie Reid – have supported Mary’s Meals for several years.  

Craig says: “Summer is here, and there’s never been a better time to get your walking shoes on and raise money for this great charity. 

“It costs just £15.90 to feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year – so a little sponsorship can make a big difference.” 

Charlie adds: “We’re not asking you to walk 500 miles, or 500 more… With Mary’s Meals, just a small number of steps can help to feed hungry children across the world.” 

Mary’s Meals reaches 2,279,941 children every school day in 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Syria and Haiti.   

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We serve Mary’s Meals in the world’s poorest, and often most difficult, locations because we know that’s where children need us the most.  

“Today, we face some of our greatest challenges yet in a world devastated by conflict, food insecurity and the cost of living crisis. It is easy to feel hopeless when faced with so much suffering.

“But every single thing that people do for our mission makes an enormous difference to the children who eat Mary’s Meals.” 

To find out more, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals 

Proclaimers reissue Sunshine on Leith to support NHS Lothian staff

NHS Lothian’s official charity, Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation (ELHF), have been proud to work with Hibernian FC, Warner Music and The Proclaimers on the reissue of Sunshine on Leith which was announced last week.

This special edition, pressed for the first time on 7″ clear green vinyl, is due for release on 29 January 2021 – pre-orders opened on 3 December.

The money they raise will help Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation continue to provide additional support for NHS Lothian staff during one of the largest global health crises of our lifetime.

It will also enable them to put in place a programme of longer-term, sustainable wellbeing support that will address the lasting effects of the pandemic, both in the recovery phase and beyond. In aid of this, The Proclaimers also released 100 limited edition signed copies, exclusively through Hibernian Direct.

Jane Ferguson, Foundation Director of Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “We are delighted that The Proclaimers and Warner Music have re-released Sunshine on Leith to support our partnership with Hibs and help our amazing NHS Lothian staff as they respond to the ongoing challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Funds raised will enable Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation to continue to provide additional support for our NHS Lothian colleagues, providing a fast and flexible response to meet any urgent and emerging needs, as well as supporting them in their long term recovery from the profound impact of the virus on their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.”

In a statement Craig and Charlie Reid said: “We’re very happy to be supporting NHS Lothian during this challenging time for our people and health service.

“The NHS is very much loved by both of us and we have much reason to be grateful to it.”

Hibernian Captain and Scottish Cup hero David Gray added: “”Sunshine on Leith is a phenomenal club anthem and I’ll never forget it ringing out around the east stand of Hampden during the celebrations of the Scottish cup final in 2016, it was a proper hairs on the back of your neck moment.

It’s such a powerful track and whenever I hear it I always get a buzz thinking back to that day.

“This limited edition version of the track is a fantastic gesture from The Proclaimers in support of The NHS and Edinburgh and Lothian’s Health Foundation and it’s great to see them partner with the club for such a great cause. Our NHS heroes have been brilliant during this pandemic and even before then and we wear the ‘Thank You NHS’ message on our shirts with pride.

“I’m sure our fans will snap up this limited edition version and raise plenty money for the charity. I’ll be after one as well!”