Stars asks supporters to get their trainers on

Stars including Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King, and TV chef Ainsley Harriot are urging would-be London marathon runners – and everyone else! – to pick up their trainers and start fundraising again safely, in a new film for the MS Society.

This summer Covid-19 has meant many key fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed, and this has had huge implications for the charity sector – where many organisations rely on the income from mass participation events.

Now, celebrities have joined together in a self-filmed video, recorded at home, to urge people to take part in the MS Society’s #100kYourWay – a new fundraising challenge that asks people to run, walk or cycle 100k to support those living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Deborah Meaden, best known for her role in BBC business programme Dragon’s Den, said: “I have a close family member with MS and have worked with several people with the condition over the years. It’s is unpredictable and affects everyone differently, but this pandemic has presented serious challenges to many in the community – as well charities like the MS Society, who support them.

“With society becoming more and more separated, it’s really important we find ways to come together again. We’re all social creatures at heart being part of something bigger for a common cause can help keep us connected. #100kYourWay is a great way to support those who may be struggling because you can do it when you want, where you want and how you want, and choose an activity that works to your own strengths and abilities. So there’s no excuse not to get involved!”

Sign up today at www.mssociety.org.uk/100kyourway

Museum reopens to the public

The Scottish Fisheries Museum will reopen next week (Wednesday 26 August).

The museums tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry, which is one of innovation and adaptability, from the vastness of the open sea to the security of community life.

Staff have introduced some new measures in line with Scottish Government (Covid-19) guidelines to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit. These include enhanced cleaning, protective screens, hand sanitising stations and one-way routes in the museum galleries.

Timed entry through a new online booking system will ensure that numbers can be managed and physical distancing maintained. Small groups of up to six people from one household will be able to visit the museum together and must book their visit in advance.

The museum shop and tearoom will reopen on the same day (the tearoom is currently serving takeaway only). Toilets will be open for museum and tearoom visitors. The museum has increased the frequency and expanded the cleaning regime in these facilities each day. All visitors will be required to wear a face covering whilst in the buildings, at all times, unless seated in the tearoom.

For full guidance, visit the Scottish Fisheries Museum website.

Thousands of sector jobs already lost

More than 5,000 charity workers have already been made redundant due to Covid-19, with arts and health charities taking the biggest hit, new research shows.

The New Philanthropy Capital redundancy monitor collates publicly announced national charity redundancies across the UK as a result of the crisis.

The charity think tank hopes to identify which areas are finding it toughest to maintain a fully staffed team as pandemic-related pressures mount up.

The tool shows that more than 3,800 redundancies were made in July alone, with health charities and the arts facing the biggest challenges to keep serving their beneficiaries.

Military band to return

A series of concerts performed by Scotland’s best-known military band in aid of a leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland will now take place in 2021 following this year’s global coronavirus pandemic. The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland were all set to embark on their third nationwide tour to raise funds for the charity, but have instead shifted four concerts to roughly the same dates next year.

The tour, which is entitled Walking With Oor Ain Folk and is being run in collaboration with Hawick folk musician and songwriter Alan Brydon, had planned to visit Hamilton, Livingston, Montrose and Hawick before Covid-19 took hold. However, today it was announced that all four towns will still play host to the band, with performances in September, October and December 2021 respectively.

Major James Marshall, the director of music to the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “After the reception we’ve received across the country in the past two years we were so looking forwarding to visiting new places and performing a new programme of music this year. However, given all that is going on in the world in 2020 – and the band’s role in Covid-19 relief work – we felt it was only right to postpone the tour until next year. But when next year comes, we hope the public will come out in force once again to support Poppyscotland and the vital work they do for the Armed Forces community.”

Fund hits £700k milestone

Celtic FC Foundation, supported by Celtic FC, has announced its Football for Good Fund has risen to over £700,000, as the charity continues to deliver much-needed support to those affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Celtic FC Foundation’s entire focus has been redirected to alleviating the evolving complications of the crisis and has so far led to: 11,000 hot meals served to frontline NHS staff; 35,000 vulnerable families and individuals supported; Assistance provided to 9,000 vulnerable pensioners; 4,000 people facing homelessness supported; and 1,600 primary school pupils supported.

Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, said: “As a club with a proud charitable heritage, we have had a real sense of responsibility to do all we can to help those affected by the pandemic, particularly people on our doorstep.

“Celtic has been at the forefront of UK football, delivering valuable support to thousands of people. The figures show the real, meaningful impact of our work.

“The club, our fans, our sponsors and partners have joined forces to deliver a crucial, powerful response to this crisis which has been second to none and we thank everyone involved. This work will continue and as long as we can help and make a difference, Celtic will be here to do so.”

The fund’s work includes providing support to around 55 partner charities and community organisations who are supplying vital food and essentials to those who need it most in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, Greenock, Oban, Edinburgh, Fife, The Isle of Skye, London, Newcastle, Dublin and Belfast.