Scotland's communities respond to the pandemic
Great response to appeal
Major British businesses including Hasbro, Unilever, LEGO, Wilko and Morgan Stanley have pledged invaluable support for Save the Children’s coronavirus response, enabling the charity to launch a raft of initiatives supporting families hardest hit by the crisis, both in the UK and around the world.
From financial organisations to toy makers and publishers, companies from across the business world have offered their help as Save the Children launched its biggest ever fundraising appeal, hoping to raise over £80m globally in order to protect children who are feeling the effects of the coronavirus crisis most acutely.
Even before the outbreak, four million children lived in poverty across the UK. With thousands more British families now facing the prospect of economic hardship, Save the Children UK has scaled up its work to help those most in need. This week the charity begins rolling out its Emergency Grant Fund, which will ensure families in the UK have access to food vouchers, gifts in kind, as well as goods like tables and beds, to help build home environments in which children can continue to learn and thrive.
Gemma Sherrington, executive director of fundraising and marketing at Save the Children UK said: “This is the biggest humanitarian challenge of our generation. That’s why we must ensure that children’s rights and needs are put front and centre of any response to the coronavirus outbreak, both here in the UK and all over the world.
“We’ve been absolutely bowled over by the generosity of the businesses who’ve supported our appeal - both long-standing partners and new brands wanting to come on board and help us support the most vulnerable families here in the UK. With their help, we are able to make sure that children stay protected, keep learning and continue to thrive, despite the challenges they now face.”
Cyclist sets 500 mile challenge
Clackmannanshire based paracyclist Laura Cluxton is undertaking a 500 mile cycle, the equivalent of riding from her home to London, in her garage on behalf of Forth Valley Sensory Centre.
Laura has a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, and went blind in her 20s. This did not stop her becoming an accomplished track cyclist and competing (in tandem pairs) at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Laura's 500 Mile Cycle Challenge sees her using a 'turbo trainer' in her garage to complete various distances each day.
She said: "Since I stopped competing I've been looking for a good reason to get back on my bike. But I always need a goal or target to help motivate me. I thought this was the perfect plan, raise money for a great local charity and keep myself entertained during lockdown!"
As a charity which focuses very much on help and support for people with hearing or sight loss, the closure of the centre at the end of March due to the Covid-19 crisis was a serious blow, not one for the charity but also for centre users who look forward to their regular groups and classes.
The crisis has cost the centre around £25,000 in revenue, but this has not stopped them working hard. All centre users are being contacted by phone or email to make sure they are ok and have the help they need.
Fundraising manager Martin Allen said: "Sensory loss can be isolating under normal circumstances, with hearing loss leading to issues in social environments. Deaf people struggling to make themselves understood as few people speak BSL and those with sight loss, staying in through fear of falls or being attacked.
"The coronavirus pandemic has made this worse. Lip reading people in masks is impossible. Social distancing, keeping two meters apart is almost impossible when hearing aids have an effective one meter radius. And those with sight loss are not able to go and do their shopping as they need support. Robbing them of their independence.
"Laura's 500 Mile Cycle Challenge is a great idea to help raise funds so we can continue our support work at this time. Please do get behind her!"
Regular updates will be on Forth Valley Sensory Centre's Facebook page and you can support for Laura online.
Funding to support abuse victims
Wellbeing Scotland were successful in the first round of funding confirmed from the Scottish Government’s £10 million Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support fund.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport approved the new £10 million fund – with the process managed by Inspiring Scotland, which brought together a panel of people with lived experience and/or professional expertise of childhood abuse to make recommendations to the Scottish Government.
Wellbeing Scotland were one of the successful organisations with an award of £167,300 core service delivery funding for 2020/21 with funding of £669,200 potentially over four years subject to ministerial approval.
Chief executive Janine Rennie said: “We are delighted to receive confirmation of the funding enabling us to work with 1500 survivors a year across Scotland. At this difficult and challenging time, it is more important than ever that survivors receive support. We are continuing our services fully online and by phone.”
