When days get shorter and temperatures drop, the natural inclination for most of us is to stay indoors and keep warm. Lara Campana, however, decided it was time to set herself the challenge of keeping active and outdoors by taking on two fundraising runs and raising £582 for the British Liver Trust!
“I’m one of the co-founders of Resolution Theraputics, based at Edinburgh University and have worked in liver disease research for over 10 years now.
I’ve seen first-hand the challenges and stigmas which patients in this community and their families endure. The British Liver Trust is there advocating for them, day in and day out; they are amazing partners to help people navigate this scary disease. So, when I took on a winter fitness challenge, it made perfect sense to support their work at the same time.”
Lara opted for two races, the Forth Road Bridge 5K in November and the Edinburgh 10K on December 7.
“I love being outside in all weathers, but it didn’t stop me catching back-to-back chest infections which have made training slightly more challenging!” she says. “However, I’m really pleased to have completed both runs and to have smashed my fundraising target!”
Audrey Cornelius, Director of Fundraising at the British Liver Trust said: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health.
“But there is still so much to be done. Liver disease is the only major disease in the UK where death rates are rising, and we want to change that.
“So we’re very grateful to Lara for braving the cold and taking on these two runs – we hope she enjoyed the experience!”
Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, part of The University of Edinburgh, is joining forces with Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary with a Tree of Light installation honouring families supported by the Neonatal Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The installation will be housed at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, the contemporary café restaurant located in the University’s Futures Institute, at the former site of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary, and will form the centrepiece of a special lighting ceremony on Saturday 29 November, creating a heartfelt moment of remembrance for families who have experienced the loss of a baby and offering a place of comfort at a time of year that can be especially difficult.
The free event, scheduled for 15:30, will welcome those who have had experiences at the Neonatal Unit – from children to their family and friends.
For many, the holiday season is a time of warmth and togetherness, yet it can also bring reflection and grief for loved ones lost. For families who have experienced the loss of a baby, the Tree of Light will stand until early January as a symbol of remembrance and healing.
With 1 in 8 babies requiring the Neonatal Unit’s support, it is hoped that the funds raised through this event will enable SSCB to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, support continued neonatal staff training and provide essential support to families during challenging times.
Tracey Ritchie, Assistant Head of Catering Operations, expressed her pride in hosting this event: “At Canopy, we’re proud to create a warm, welcoming space where people can relax and feel cared for.
“Being based in the former Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital makes hosting this event especially meaningful. We know this time of year can be emotional, and we’re honoured to offer Simpson’s families a place to pause, reflect and remember.
“Having the Tree of Light here, in a building so deeply connected to the charity’s past, feels like a fitting way to mark their 40th year. We’re delighted to host it and look forward to supporting Simpsons Special Care Babies in the months ahead.”
Those interested in supporting this cause can donate to SSCB through their website.
Free tickets must be booked in advance through the charity’s website.
~ Next-generation bedside devices, providing a result within 15 minutes, ease pressure on overcrowded emergency departments ~
People can find out if they are having a heart attack far faster using innovative tests, according to research supported by the British Heart Foundation and presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in New Orleans.
When someone with chest pain attends hospital as an emergency patient , they are given a blood test for troponin – the telltale protein released into the blood when the heart is damaged, which indicates whether they have had a heart attack.
But doctors say that the test result from blood sent to the laboratory is often not available when they first need it to help make decisions for patients, and a result can sometimes take as long as two hours.
A new study, led from Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand in collaboration with BHF-funded researchers at the University of Edinburgh, investigated the performance of a new type of troponin test. Blood is placed directly onto a cartridge, and analysed on the spot, with some models of the test able to reveal if someone has had a heart attack within 15 to 20 minutes.
In the study, people given a rapid test were admitted to a ward or sent home 47 minutes faster, depending on whether it indicated they had experienced a heart attack, researchers found. This shorter stay in the emergency department, which was the average across six hospitals, was seen in comparison to troponin tests in the lab.
The new tests, produced by various technology firms, are already in use within some British hospitals and could help to tackle long waits and overcrowding within the NHS. Researchers say they could potentially also be used in GP surgeries and chest pain clinics, potentially helping to identify people whose heart attacks might otherwise have been missed.
Nicholas Mills, BHF Professor of Cardiology at the University of Edinburgh and a consultant interventional cardiologist at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, helped to design the study, conducted in New Zealand.
Professor Mills said: “When people go to the emergency department fearing they have had a heart attack, a blood sample is taken and sent to another part of the hospital for analysis in a lab.
By the time the results are available, it is likely the doctor or nurse will have been called away, so there are unfortunate and unintended delays in making decisions for patients.
“The average turnaround for a lab troponin test can be as long as two hours, so tests which can be performed in real-time within minutes are far better for patients, reducing anxiety as they wait for an answer on what is happening to them.
“Crucially, these tests could also ease some of the pressure on overcrowded emergency departments, helping people move through more quickly.”
Troponin is a protein found in the muscles, including the heart. When the heart is injured or damaged, such as during a heart attack, troponin is released into the blood.
Hospitals used to routinely test people twice for troponin, to measure changing levels of the protein and establish if they had a heart attack. But the process was sped up, moving people through emergency departments an average of three hours faster, thanks to previous research led by the University of Edinburgh.
This showed just one troponin test could effectively identify people who were at high risk of having had a heart attack, and also the people at lower risk who could safely be sent home.
This approach was used in the current study, but, to deliver answers to patients even more quickly, researchers investigated the new generation of devices which can analyse troponin levels in the blood on the spot.
The study included almost 60,000 people attending an emergency department in New Zealand between February 2023 and January 2025. A faster test was given to 31,392 patients, while the rest had the standard test with blood samples sent to the laboratory.
Those given a rapid test, compared to the lab-based test, had a 13 per cent shorter stay in the emergency department on average. That meant they were discharged or admitted to a hospital ward an average of 47 minutes faster.
The calculation was made after taking into account other factors affecting how long people wait, such as the time of year and time of day.
Researchers tracked all the people in their study for 30 days after they visited the emergency department, finding that the rate of people dying from cardiovascular disease or having a heart attack in that time was similar whether they were given a fast test or the regular test.
This suggests a faster test is a safe way to decide if people should be admitted to a ward or discharged, which should not put people at extra risk by missing their heart attacks.
The test involves a drop of blood, from a standard blood test, being placed on a cartridge which is inserted into the device. The level of troponin then appears on the screen, helping a doctor to provide a diagnosis.
People who have not had a heart attack can be quickly reassured, thanks to a faster test. Those who have had a heart attack can receive earlier treatment with blood-thinners and be admitted directly to a specialist ward for treatment, which may include a procedure to restore the blood supply to the heart. Early treatment reduces the risk of lasting heart damage.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist, said: “Every minute matters if you are having a heart attack. And if you aren’t, you will want to be reassured or diagnosed with something different as soon as possible.
“Troponin is the telltale protein which leaks into the bloodstream when the heart is damaged, so measuring it can be crucial for doctors to diagnose or rule out heart attacks.
“But laboratory results can take hours to come back. So, it’s exciting to see that the bedside troponin test used in this study had a faster turnaround – providing results within minutes, and without compromising accuracy and safety.
“Reducing delays in diagnosis is vital for patients, and also important for pressurised emergency departments working to ensure everyone gets the care they need, when they need it.”
More than 100 pupils from 13 schools transformed into world leaders at the University of Edinburgh last week, engaging in high-stakes climate crisis negotiations to mirror the upcoming UN COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.
In a United Nations debate simulation organised by the British Council in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Learning for Sustainability Scotland, students experienced firsthand the complex challenges of international climate diplomacy.
Using cutting-edge simulation software developed by MIT, the pupils took on roles as delegates from major nations, corporate lobbyists, and international media representatives, all working to tackle the critical goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C.
During the negotiations, the pupils had to collectively agree on how much to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, how they would help struggling nations, and agree on ways to adapt to climate change to protect their cities and people.
Leading the negotiations were pupils Siri Isaksson-Galbraith and Alyssa Haston, from West Calder High School who shared the role of the United Nations Secretariat (top).
Speaking in their role as UN Secretary Generals, they had a message for world leaders ahead of COP30 in Brazil:“Today in Edinburgh, we’ve experienced firsthand how difficult climate negotiations can be, but also how essential they are. We’ve learned that every country has different challenges, but we all share the same planet and the same future.
“The decisions being made at COP30 will shape our lives, our communities, and our world. We urge world leaders to listen to youth voices, to act with urgency, and to remember that compromise doesn’t mean giving up on ambition.
“The climate crisis affects us all, but it doesn’t affect us equally. We must ensure that those most vulnerable are heard and supported. From Scotland to Brazil, young people are ready to lead, but we need action now.”
Did they reach a consensus?
The challenge was to negotiate between countries to keep warming under 2°C by the end of the century, and to aim for under 1.5°C. By the end of the debate, pupils collectively agreed to keep global warming at 1.6°C, just over the mark of the Paris Agreement target. This means they were over the target, but made headway with strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support nations, and develop adaptation measures to protect cities and people.
The debate simulation was led by climate expert Professor Pete Higgins, Chair in Outdoor, Environmental and Sustainability Education at the University of Edinburgh.
Speaking at the event, Professor Pete Higgins said:“Today’s debate couldn’t be more timely. We’re living through a period of significant political uncertainty, which makes climate diplomacy more complex than ever.
“What impressed me most was how quickly these young people grasped the competing priorities and difficult trade-offs involved, whilst maintaining their determination to find common ground.
“Young people often feel powerless when it comes to climate change, but events like this show that they have both the understanding and the diplomatic skills to navigate these challenges. My hope is that the negotiators at COP30 will show the same wisdom and commitment to meaningful action that these young citizens have demonstrated today.”
Claire de Braekeleer, Director British Council Scotlandadded: “This UN debate simulation puts young people in Scotland at the heart of the global climate debate.
“As COP30 starts in Belém next week, these pupils are gaining crucial insights into how these climate negotiations work. They are also building the diplomatic skills and understanding that will be vital for the international cooperation we desperately need.
“We believe that young people are the key to driving positive climate action, and today demonstrates how collaborating globally with empathy and understanding is the way forward.”
The simulation was part of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, which aims to bring international perspectives into the curriculum. Students engaged in realistic debates, negotiated complex agreements, and balanced competing interests of nations.
Through the Climate Connection programme, the British Council is also supporting people globally to find creative solutions to climate change in support of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The British Council is supporting the summit by engaging with networks of education professionals, students, academics, researchers, artists, civil society leaders and policymakers to participate in meaningful dialogue and bring about real change for our planet.
This initiative continues the work of the British Council’s Schools Connect programme for schools in the UK and around the world, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching.
For more information about the British Council’s work in Scotland, visit:
Are you part of a local group in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders or Fife? Our Community Grants Scheme is available to help bring your ideas to life. Applications are open until Friday 31 October.
View details on how to apply and sign up for our information session: https://edin.ac/489uqJU
Since the scheme began in 2017, we’ve awarded over £822,000 across 330 projects, supporting 252 local organisations to create change that matters to them.
Here’s what that looks like in action:
• Archaeology Scotland brought together 130 local residents for The Big Dig Dalkeith community archaeology project at Newbattle Abbey.
• Leith Sea Cadets replaced old training equipment, boosting confidence and belonging among young people.
• Craigsfarm Community Development Project supported 54 adults with mental health challenges through creative art sessions.
These grants are part of how we deliver on our new Community Plan 2025–30, launching soon. A plan shaped by your voices and built on shared goals for thriving, equal, connected communities.
The Edinburgh Union will host its second debate on Monday (6 October), with a panel of politicians and medical experts debating the motion: This House Welcomes the Legalisation of Assisted Dying.
The debate will feature Kenneth Gibson MSP representing the case for assisted dying. He will be opposite Dr Fiona MacCormick, the Scotland Representative for the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland (APM) and Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, representing the case against.
Two student speakers will also join the debate, taking opposing sides on the motion and bringing the perspectives of Edinburgh’s student body directly into the discussion.
This second event follows the success of the Edinburgh Union’s first debate on Scottish Independence last month, in which a panel of senior Scottish politicians debated to a full audience. This week’s debate is set to be a similar hit, with all 100 tickets selling out in just 4 hours.
The debate takes place just months after the Scottish assisted dying bill passed its first vote in Holyrood in May this year.
Founded in 2025, the Edinburgh Union, which is part of the Edinburgh Political Union, is the University of Edinburgh’s newest debating society. It seeks to provide an apolitical platform dedicated to open dialogue.
With political and social conversations growing increasingly polarised, the Union’s mission is to develop an environment where ideas can be challenged constructively and where participants from all backgrounds feel empowered to engage in discussion.
This semester, the Union will host fortnightly debates in Edinburgh’s iconic Rainy Hall at New College, bringing together speakers from across the political spectrum. Upcoming motions include This House Regrets Brexit and This House Believes Traditional Masculinity is Damaging to Men and Society.
Each debate will offer audience members, comprising students and academics from across Edinburgh with the opportunity to debate and challenge guest speakers from across the political spectrum.
As stated by Founder Finn Tyson:“The Edinburgh Union seeks to spark open dialogue in the capital city of Scotland.
“We want to give students and staff the chance to engage in-person with big ideas, challenge perspectives, and form their own views through reasoned debate – all in a way that reflects the diversity and voice of Scotland’s student population.
“ One of modern Britain’s most profound ethical, legal and personal questions is the legalisation of assisted dying. Despite fierce opposition Scotland, England and Wales stand on the brink of legalisation. This highly controversial issue is rooted in decades of public discourse, poignant personal stories, and evolving legislative efforts.
The Edinburgh Union will host its inaugural debate on Monday 22 September, with a panel of senior Scottish politicians debating the motion: This House Believes Scotland Should Be Independent.
The debate will feature Fergus Ewing MSP and Ben Macpherson MSP, representing the case for independence, opposite Baroness Annabel Goldie, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Daniel Johnson MSP, representing the case against.
Adding to the politicians, two student speakers will join the debate, taking opposing sides on the motion, and bringing the perspectives of Edinburgh’s student body directly into the discussion.
The debate, taking place just months ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections, promises to be a lively and timely discussion on one of the most contested questions in Scottish politics.
Founded in 2025, the Edinburgh Union, which is part of the Edinburgh Political Union, is the University of Edinburgh’s newest debating society.
It seeks to provide an apolitical platform dedicated to debate and open dialogue. With political and social conversations growing increasingly polarised, the Union’s mission is to develop an environment where ideas can be challenged constructively and where participants from all backgrounds feel empowered to engage in discussion.
This semester, the Union will host fortnightly debates in Edinburgh’s iconic Rainy Hall at New College, bringing together speakers from across the political spectrum. Upcoming motions include This House Welcomes the Legalisation of Assisted Dying and This House Believes Traditional Masculinity is Damaging to Men and Society.
Each debate will offer audience members, comprising students and academics from across Edinburgh with the opportunity to debate and challenge guest speakers from across the political spectrum.
President Finn Tyson said: ““The Edinburgh Union seeks to spark open dialogue in the capital, in a way that is not seen anywhere else in Scotland.
“We want to give students and staff the chance to engage in-person with big ideas, challenge perspectives, and form their own views through reasoned debate – all in away that reflects the diversity and voice of Scotland’s student population.
“More than a decade after the Better Together campaign’s victory in 2014, public opinion on Scottish independence remains deeply divided. That’s why we’re bringing in outstanding speakers from across the political spectrum to debate the issue – and to give our students the chance to question them directly.”
This spring, the University of Edinburgh gave over £44,000 in Community Grants to 10 amazing local groups across Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians:
Safe Haven
Multi-Cultural Family Base
The Safe Haven project supports young refugees and asylum seekers aged 8 to 16 in Edinburgh, helping them settle into their new lives while coping with trauma and health challenges. Through organised outdoor and indoor activities, it provides a safe space to build confidence, improve physical and mental health, and overcome social barriers.
This project delivers free, hands-on workshops to schools in Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian, and Fife, focusing on renewable energy technologies and green careers. The workshops aim to build pupils’ confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while providing teachers with curriculum-linked resources for sustained STEM engagement and future career exploration.
Recovery Through Music (in Prison)
Change Grow Live
Recovery Through Music (RTM) is a user-led creative project, developed two years ago with support from the Community Grant. Now expanding into prisons, RTM helps people in recovery reconnect with music, rebuild confidence, reduce reliance on opioid treatment, and continue their journey through ongoing support after release.
Communities Dig Dalkeith
Archaeology Scotland
Communities Dig Dalkeith is an exciting new project that brings people together through archaeology – with a focus on improving health & wellbeing, inclusion and community cohesion using intergenerational practice. By taking part in the project participants will develop the skills needed to explore place and past while connecting with others and sharing their own experiences, skills and knowledge.
This project aims to offer a safe, inclusive space for women experiencing symptoms associated with menopause to connect, share and co-design drop-in activities that support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Through peer support, expert input, and links to local services, it aims to reduce isolation, build confidence and create lasting, empowering networks.
Family Support service
Tailor Ed Foundation
This is a new innovative service in Edinburgh to help children who are waiting up to 4 years for an autism diagnosis and their families but who require support NOW. This hidden health inequality is creating 4 wasted years at the very time a child with autistic traits and families should be getting the support their current health needs and deserve
Art Workshops for Well-being for East Lothian Young Carers & The Finola Trust, Inspired by “The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs” (Prof. Stephen Brusatte)
Shorelark Arts CIC
A series of mixed-media, inclusive, and accessible art workshops inspired by Professor Steve Brusatte’s book “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs”. Blending art, palaeontology, and climate reflection, the workshops aim to support well-being through creative practice, culminating in a community exhibition and interactive open studio day at The Cockenzie Hub.
This project supports care-experienced and disadvantaged young people facing poverty, trauma, and emotional challenges which leaves them disconnected from school and the community. It offers a safe, creative environment where they can express themselves through art, improve emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and strengthen connections with schools, agencies, and their communities.
A new volunteer led outdoor social group for women which to reduce social isolation and loneliness and get you out and about, meeting new people and having fun. Visiting the places that YOU want to go to: castles; islands; palaces; woodlands; museums and art galleries – the past and the present at the same time! You will learn new stuff, make new friends and live a more active, fulfilling life.
Generations: Women in Basketball
We Play Together SCIO
To encourage young girls and women to engage in Basketball together through a generative programme that fosters connection, confidence & community. Additionally to broaden their understanding about the diverse pathways to take within the sport beyond simply playing – coaching, officiating, club administration.
THREE days free story telling and art workshop for 9 to 12 year olds to learn more about climate change with Joana.
This is a great opportunity to learn new illustration and story-making skills using a variety of techniques from an industry professional and have the opportunity to have their art exhibited and a chance to learn more about some of the science behind eco-anxiety!
By producing their own illustration and story, children will get chance to be part of the Scottish international storytelling Festival!!
At Stockbridge Library on Thursday 10th, 17th and 24th July from 10.30 to 1 pm.
Looking for wee scientists aged 17-19 months! 
