News around the country on charities during the crisis
Tom’s amazing fundraising challenge
Drawing inspiration from his namesake, Lochwinnoch’s own Tom Moore has raised more than £12,600 for St. Vincent’s Hospice by completing a lockdown marathon in his back garden.
Tom, 70, is a long-time supporter of the hospice who decided to take on the challenge in memory of his wife Anne who was not only cared for by the hospice, but was a much loved volunteer as part of their team in the local community for many years.
Discussing the challenge, Tom said: “When I saw what Captain, now Colonel, Tom Moore was doing I was so over awed with it that I felt I had to do something. I went out and paced out my garden and discovered to my astonishment that it was exactly 100 yards. So, initially I was doing a 10K. Then that went up to a half marathon. Then that turned into a full marathon. I certainly couldn’t run it, or do it all in one go, so I set out to finish it over the course of seven days and all the money raised will go to St. Vincent’s Hospice.”
Not content for this to be just any old “walk”, Tom then decided to put his own twist on things: completing his circuits every day in a new item of fancy dress.
St. Vincent’s Hospice is a specialist provider of palliative care for people and families all across Renfrewshire who have been affected by a life-limiting condition.
Still Game star backs helpline
Still Game star Greg Hemphill has said he is proud to support Age Scotland's national Friendship Campaign to help tens of thousands of older people who are feeling increasingly isolated and lonely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country's leading charity for older people, is encouraging anyone who is feeling alone to pick up the phone and call its free friendship line for a chat or just to have a friendly ear to listen.
The campaign, which launches today, (Monday June 8), aims to help older people stay connected, at a time when many are struggling, by offering a service which will support, comfort and reassure those in need.
Anyone calling the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222, which also offers advice and information for older people, can request a friendship call.
The campaign is backed by local radio advertising, featuring Hemphill, and there will be flyers distributed through 469 pharmacies as well as posted to over 65s across Scotland.
He said: “The effect of this cruel virus on our older people has been particularly devastating. Age Scotland’s friendship helpline is a welcome opportunity for any person who feels vulnerable or anxious and could use a friendly voice. I am proud to support it.”
Analysing stroke services
The Stroke Association has launched an online survey for those affected by stroke, to understand how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their lives, and recoveries from stroke.
The charity aims to understand the additional challenges facing stroke survivors, and how the government and stroke support services should respond. This will help to build a clear picture of the impact of coronavirus on people affected by stroke.
The survey is being disseminated widely across the stroke community, to ensure the charity can gather as much information as possible.
You can take part in the survey online.
Charity launches new podcast
The Scottish Fisheries Museum has launched a new podcast.
The Anstruther based museum is creating a podcast to show Scotland in lockdown from the perspective of the fishing industry, coastal communities, the marine science and conservation sector, the seafood industry and many other industries. If your life is linked to the sea and fishing the museum wants to hear from you!
As well as the podcast, recordings will add to the vast oral history collection the museum holds and may even feature in exhibitions years in the future.
If you would like to take part in the project and learn more, please get in touch with the museum via email at andrea@scotfishmuseum.org or message them on Facebook.
This podcast series will be the second from the Scottish Fisheries Museum. The first, Sea Change, is a five-episode series, accompanying the exhibition of the same name. This podcast asks a selection of the most knowledgeable people their thoughts on the current situations facing our seas, and what they think the future looks like. You can find it on Spotify, Anchor and Apple Podcasts.
