A selection of stories from communities and voluntary organisations across Scotland
Get on your bike for Poppyscotland
One of Scotland’s top cycling events, which raised almost £50,000 for Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity in 2017, returns for a fifth year – and is even bigger and better. The Poppyscotland Sportive, which was launched in 2014 and voted one of the top three Sportives in Scotland last year by Sportive.com, gives riders a choice of three routes to suit a variety of levels of experience and fitness. The event, which runs on Sunday, 30September, is open to everyone, with riders able to pick routes at lengths of 45, 66 or 100 miles. All three take participants along the beautiful East Lothian coast and then back though its stunning hills and countryside, with the 100-mile circuit also taking riders over the challenging Lammermuir Hills and into the Scottish Borders. To take part in the Poppyscotland Sportive, or for more information on the event, contact Katriona Harding on 0131 557 2782 or at [email protected].
Moving on to greater things
East Ayrshire Provost Jim Todd helped a children’s charity launch a new programme which will give young people the first step into a career in mechanics. Action for Children launched Moving On 2 Mechanics in Kilmarnock. The programme is the latest phase of employability training offered by the charity’s Moving On service. The project works with young men recently liberated from short sentences at HMYOI Polmont to help them back into the community through accessing benefits and housing through to getting them job ready.
Rugby star Hastings kicks off fun run
Former rugby star Scott Hastings got a record number of runners under starter’s orders in Edinburgh in a 5K race that brought property professionals from all over the UK together in the Scottish capital. The charity race – the fourth to be organised by Aberdeen Standard Investments – has raised £20,750 for the Scottish Association of Mental Health. Hastings and his wife Jenny officially started the race and handed out prizes in a show of support for the charity and the runners. Scott won 65 caps for Scotland and was twice a member of the British Lions, whilst Jenny was a swimmer, runner, biathlete and triathlete in Scottish squads. Together they work tirelessly for many charities, especially helping to promote mental health awareness, an issue close to their hearts after Jenny was diagnosed with depression.
Shopping centre staff reach new heights for charity
A team from Glasgow Fort laced up their hiking boots to climb Perthshire’s Ben Ledi to raise £3,000 for charity. The group of 70 took on the 879m hike to raise money for Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands, a community centre that provides training, social and recreational services to young people and adults with physical disabilities and learning difficulties The challenge was part of an annual fundraising initiative organised by the centre team at Glasgow Fort, and involved staff from a range of retailers including Boots, Nando’s, New Look, Wagamama, River Island, Argos, Antler and Marks & Spencer.
Stewart Milne Homes raises £30,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity at ball
Stewart Milne Homes has raised £30,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity at its annual fundraising ball, taking the total amount raised by the housebuilder to over £200,000. Over 450 staff and supply chain contacts from across the UK attended the annual charity do held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The housebuilder has supported the charity over the past seven years and has raised the fantastic amount through regular fundraising efforts in addition to the annual ball, including dress down days as well as endurance challenges including the Bike 4 Forty cycle which saw eight employees visit all of the homebuilder’s live developments, covering over 700 miles in a week. All funds raised will help the charity provide vital specialist staff posts including nursing, radiography, physics and research-based staff as well as funding enhanced medical equipment, innovative service developments, research projects and educational initiatives to support the 8000 new patients who attend The Beatson and its related facilities each year.
