Diabetes UK is looking for people from all over Scotland to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May.

As a Swim22 challenger you’ll swim an incredible 22 miles – the equivalent of swimming the English Channel – in your local pool, while making a difference with each and every splash. You can take on the swim challenge alone or, better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can even split the distance between a team to make it easier for everyone.

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice.

When you sign up you’ll receive a Swim22 pack through the post. This includes swimming tips, how to get your fundraising started and, of course, your very own Swim22 swimming hat.   You will also receive an email giving you access to your very own Swim22 page, where you can track the distance covered, collect milestone swimming badges and share your progress with everyone.

Across Scotland over 280,000 people are living with diabetes. When diabetes is not well managed it is associated with serious complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. Every length you complete and every pound you raise will get us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

To sign up, just visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

The ScotRail Alliance has already smashed its MND Scotland fundraising target for 2017/18 after just seven months.

The organisation raised £51,154 for charity partner MND Scotland between April and October this year – well ahead of the target of £50,000 by March 2018.

Almost half of the total was raised by ScotRail Alliance staff, who took part in a wide range of fundraising events – including a sponsored skydive, walking over hot coals, and a staff football tournament.

When the partnership between the ScotRail Alliance and MND Scotland was announced in March, a target of raising £150,000 over three years was set.

Collection tins have been placed at every station ticket office, and station and on-train advertising spaces have been given to the charity free of charge. MND Scotland staff have also been issued with free on-duty travel passes, reducing their overall travel costs.

To raise awareness of the disease, as well as MND Scotland’s work to find a cure, new advertising boards have been erected on the hoardings surrounding the site in Edinburgh Waverley, where work is currently ongoing to build and extend platforms.

The boards feature prominent MND campaigner Gordon Aikman, who passed away from the disease earlier this year. Gordon, originally from Kirkcaldy, raised over £600,000 for MND Scotland through his ‘Gordon’s Fightback’ campaign, which also managed to double the number specialist nurses for MND patients and ensure they were paid for through the NHS instead of charitable donations.

More money is expected to be raised next month, when a staff Christmas jumper day will be held in aid of the fight against motor neurone disease. ScotRail Alliance staff across the country are being encouraged to ‘do their bit in a festive knit’. Volunteers will be collecting donations in Inverness, Aberdeen, Haymarket, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street stations.

ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said:
“MND Scotland is an absolutely fantastic organisation that is doing some great work to support motor neurone disease patients and their families, as well as working to find a cure.
“I’m exceptionally proud of how much we’ve managed to raise for MND Scotland in just seven short months. It’s important that we do all we can to raise awareness of this cruel disease, and keep up the fight for a cure.”

Joe Pike, husband of the late Gordon Aikman, who died from motor neurone disease in February, said:
“It is hugely impressive that the staff of ScotRail Alliance have raised so much so fast for MND Scotland.
“Every penny will go to helping those living with Motor Neurone Disease, as well as funding vital research, so we find a cure and others don’t have to go through what Gordon did.”

Morag McGown, Corporate Partnerships Manager from MND Scotland, said:
“I am truly grateful to every single ScotRail Alliance employee and customer who helped us reach this incredible target so early in our three year partnership.
“The funds raised are already making a huge difference to the lives of people affected by MND across Scotland and going towards MND research, which is vital to helping us on our journey to a cure.
“In addition, the awareness that has been raised amongst staff and commuters is fantastic – we need to ensure everyone in Scotland knows the life-changing impact MND has and what we can all do to make a difference.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their continued support and I’m looking forward to working together to hit our next target.”

Pictured: L to R: Stephen McCall (Network Rail Project Manager), Iain McWhirter (Head of Fundraising and Volunteering at MND Scotland), Duncan Black (Son of Stephen Black), Alex Hynes (Managing Director of ScotRail Alliance), Stephen Black (MND Sufferer), Joe Pike (Husband of the late Gordon Aikman), Mary Black (Wife of Stephen Black) and Morag McGown (Corporate Partnerships Manager for MND Scotland).

Musselburgh Racecourse stages its annual race day in support of the emergency and armed services on Sunday. (1 Oct).

The Support Your Services Raceday features seven races with more than £50,000 in prize money, including the £20,000 feature race, the EBF Stallions Scottish Premier Fillies’ Handicap over one mile.

Staff and officers from Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be joined by members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland who are putting on a range of interactive displays for kids and adults alike.

Gates open at noon but before the first race at 2pm the day gets off to a rousing start with a performance by a Massed Pipe Band as they parade along the racecourse.

A special pony race will be held before the seven-card fixture gets underway and throughout the day children can enjoy a number of free fairground rides, face painting and other family entertainment.

As with all race days at Musselburgh, children aged under 17 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. A £2 advance booking discount for adults expires at midnight Saturday (30 Sept) and concession prices increase to £22 on the day so it is advisable to book in advance.

For more information and to book tickets please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk.

He may be our Head of Membership at Edinburgh Chamber, but will he be ‘Top Dog’ next Friday?

Richard Ellis has boldly volunteered to be ‘In The Dog House’ on Friday, October 6, at the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home’s creative fundraiser in which business leaders from across Edinburgh will be locked in a kennel with only a laptop and a mobile phone. Their aim will be to reach out to their network to raise as much money as possible for EDCH. £1,000 will free them from their confines, but will it be enough to claim the coveted ‘top dog’ title?

As is to be expected from Richard, he gave us a statement loaded to the brim with puns. He says “I’m really pleased to be supporting such a great local organisation. I’m happy to be taking the lead on this for the Chamber and hopefully I don’t have to hound our members for contributions. Let’s be honest, you’d be barking not to donate to this worthwhile paws… sorry, cause!”

Since 1883, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been rescuing, reuniting and rehoming cats and dogs across Edinburgh and the Lothians. The Home never turns away a lost or stray animal that comes through its doors, no matter its breed, age, or medical condition. Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home provides veterinary treatment and does their best to reunite each animal with its owner. When and owner cannot be found or is unable to cope, they find each cat or dog a new loving forever home, no longer how long that takes.

Those looking to donate to Richard’s efforts can do so here.

Those looking to keep Richard locked up are urged to email him as many terrible animal puns as possible so as to cause his emails to crash.

The ScotRail Alliance is proud to once again support the Macmillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’.

Taking place on Friday 29 September, the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s largest fundraising event for people facing cancer.

Passengers who wish to purchase hot drinks on a ScotRail train or at the Cafeology coffee cart in Glasgow Queen Street station will be asked to donate to Macmillan, rather than pay for their drink.

A choice of shortbread or a flapjack will also be provided to accompany the drink, which will be donated by ScotRail’s main supplier Food and Drink Hub in Cumbernauld.

The coffee morning will run from 7am until 10am with all proceeds donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

ScotRail Alliance Head of Customer Experience & Hospitality Garry Clark said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Macmillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ once again.

“Through the kindness and generosity of our people and our passengers, we have raised more than £10,000 over the past few years and hope to raise even more funds for this worthy cause.”

Macmillan Fundraising Manager Emma Connor said: “We are extremely grateful for the support of ScotRail Alliance and their customers who have raised an amazing amount of money for us over the past few years.

“Every penny raised will help Macmillan continue to provide emotional, financial, medical and practical support to people affected by cancer.”

Kind-hearted Kiltwalk heroes are the toast of 780 Scottish charities as it was revealed today they raised £2.3 million in 2017 – with donations still coming-in.

And 2018 is set to be even bigger with walkers able to add 40% to whatever money they raise for the charity of their choice thanks to support from The Hunter Foundation.

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of The Hunter Foundation and backer of the Kiltwalk noted: “Kiltwalk is the platform for people across Scotland to raise funds for the charity of their choice; it’s simple, it’s fun and it makes a huge difference to the charities they care about.

“For every Pound they raise The Hunter Foundation will add another forty pence, which I hope makes this platform the most effective fundraising opportunity in Scotland.

“I would urge charities, corporates and individuals alike to take this chance to maximise fundraising for what they care about and have a fantastic time doing it.”

This year some 14,000 fundraisers – an astonishing 87% increase on the 7,500 walkers of 2016 – participated in the four Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh this year.

Sir Tom added; “It makes me the proudest Scot on the planet to know that all these people walked for causes they care about. We very much appreciate the continued support of valued sponsors including Royal Bank of Scotland and Arnold Clark. Together, we strive to make Kiltwalk the country’s biggest charity event.”

Next year’s Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events will take place on:

• Sunday, 29 April, 2018 in Glasgow
• Sunday, 3 June, 2018 in Aberdeen
• Sunday, 19 August, 2018 from St. Andrews to Dundee
• Sunday, 16 September, 2018 in Edinburgh

For every penny raised by a Kiltwalker in 2017, Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation pledged 140% to their chosen charity. This unique fundraising boost will continue next year.

The unstoppable army of Kiltwalkers raised a staggering £1,642,000 before the 40% top up was applied in 2017 for their chosen charities, which is an 89% increase on last year’s fundraising total of £870,000.

Platinum sponsor Arnold Clark joined Sir Tom in repeating a generous fundraising pledge. As was the case in 2017, a lucky Kiltwalker from each event will win a brand new car. Funds raised by those who choose to walk for the Kiltwalk itself are distributed through the STV Children’s Appeal.

For more information about the Kiltwalk, or to register, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

On Sunday, around 3,000 people took to the streets of Edinburgh for this year’s final Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk to raise funds for walkers’ chosen charities.

Sir Tom Hunter, the man with the vision to turn the Kiltwalk into Scotland’s biggest mass participation event for charity, praised Edinburgh Kiltwalkers for their commitment to good causes across Scotland.

Sir Tom said: “I am overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm displayed by each and every person who took part in the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk. Their dedication and determination to raise funds for charities big and small is admirable. The atmosphere in BT Murrayfield and on the route today was nothing short of extraordinary.”

Thanks to the generous 40% fundraising boost pledged by Sir Tom and the Hunter Foundation, charities will receive a 140% return for every penny raised by walkers. Whilst Platinum Sponsor Arnold Clark has donated a brand new Renault Clio at each event this year, meaning one of the lucky 3,000 Kiltwalkers will win a new set of wheels.

Sir Tom was at each of the starts to cheer on Kiltwalkers as they set off. Leading out Edinburgh’s Mighty Stride was 51-year-old Lynne McKenzie from Elgin who was walking for charity CHAS.
Whilst leading the way for the Big Stroll was 45-year-old Julie Whyte from Dunfermline who was joined by her 11-year-old daughter Abigail who was diagnosed with arthritis when she was just four. They were walking for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children (SNAC).

Julie said: “I am so proud that Abigail and I led out the Big Stroll today. She has attended the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for treatment every four weeks since she was diagnosed and they have shown her so much support over the years. Abigail saw the Kiltwalk was coming to Edinburgh and she wanted to take part and give something back.”

Finally, leading the way for the Wee Wander was mother and daughter, 33-year-old Jeannette Smith and nine-year-old Lucy Abbeels from Edinburgh. They were fundraising for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland as Lucy was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Also joining them was ENABLE Scotland’s patron and sport TV anchor Hazel Irvine.

Walkers set off from BT Murrayfield at 9am to complete the 26-mile Mighty Stride, going via Leith and taking in iconic landmarks such as Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park. The 12-mile Big Stroll set off from BT Murrayfield at 11am while the five-mile Wee Wander set off from Gypsy Brae Recreational Ground at 1pm. All routes finished at the Kiltwalk Village at BT Murrayfield where walkers enjoyed entertainment from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Malcolm Buchanan, chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Scottish board, said: “We are humbled and inspired by everyone uniting together to walk the Kiltwalk. The Royal Bank of Scotland is a proud partner and we want to say a huge well done to everyone who took part today.”

With more than £1.3 million already distributed to charitable causes from the Glasgow Kiltwalk alone, the total raised across the 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks will increase after the fourth and final event held today.

More than 700 charitable organisations are set to benefit as the Kiltwalk is now open to every charity. Funds raised by those who choose to walk for the Kiltwalk itself are distributed through the STV Children’s Appeal as the official grant making partner.

Volunteers also got in on the fundraising action, as for every hour of time they donated, Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation will gift £1.10 to each Kiltie’s chosen charity.

To find out more about the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

Ten staff from Edinburgh Leisure jumped in to help raise money to fund essential swimming lessons for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Edinburgh.

The staff took part in Edinburgh Leisure’s first ever major fundraising ’10 x 10 Swim Challenge’, which involved a team of 10 staff, swimming 1km each in 10 of Edinburgh Leisure’s pools in one day on 1 September. All sponsorship raised will help to continue to fund the ‘Jump In’ project, which gives pre-school swimming lessons for nursery pupils living in areas of multiple deprivation in the city.

The team were supported by Landmarc Support who supplied transport and refreshments for the team. Landmarc’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland, Kevin Kneeshaw said: “Jump In is a great initiative so we’re really pleased we could be involved by transporting the swimmers between each of the ten locations. We hope this challenge has helped to raise awareness of this vital project to support essential swimming lessons for disadvantaged children.”

Andrew Stephenson, Funding Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Since the ‘Jump In’ project started in 2012, it has taught 1,500 nursery school children affected by poverty to swim, embedding crucial life skills that keeps children safe around water by improving their water confidence and swimming ability.

“All the team taking part have got involved because they believe every child should have the chance to swim, but sadly not everyone gets that opportunity. As a charity, Edinburgh Leisure relies on funding from trusts, companies and individuals to keep this project going.”

This is the first ever major fundraising challenge that Edinburgh Leisure has initiated. Projects like Jump In are part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme that give a helping hand to those that need a little extra support to get active and protect their health and wellbeing.

Swimming can have a really positive effect on an individual’s mental wellbeing, with additional wider social benefits including better educational attainment and improved confidence.

Yet despite these great benefits, 40% of Scotland’s children leave primary school unable to swim. This number increases significantly in areas of deprivation, which is poignant when more than one child in every five living in Edinburgh is affected by poverty.

This social injustice means that these children are often excluded from learning to swim, placing them at a higher risk of drowning and losing out on the chance to develop their physical abilities and communication skills that their peers can learn during swimming lessons.

The decline in children’s swimming ability is linked to an eight percent decline in the number of people swimming recreationally (Sports England), especially families. As well as the negative impact on a child’s ability to swim and their water confidence, children who never get the opportunity to learn to swim are less likely to be physically active throughout their life, increasing their likelihood of major illnesses by up to 50% and early death by up to 30%.

If you have had a great experience of swimming and believe that all children should get the opportunity to learn to swim and would like to sponsor the team, donations can be made by texting EDLS65 £3 to 70070.

The ScotRail Alliance has donated more than £33,000 to MND Scotland in a bid to find a cure for the terminal illness.

The news comes after ScotRail Alliance staff took part in a zip slide across the River Clyde on Saturday (26 August) to raise funds for the charity.

ScotRail Alliance staff have raised more than £14,500 through fundraisers – including dress down days and staff donations through payroll – and the business has donated almost £19,000 through ‘in kind’ support. ‘In kind’ support includes providing advertising space at train stations free of charge.

In March, the ScotRail Alliance announced a three-year partnership with MND Scotland. The goal is to raise £150,000 over the course of the three years.

Client and Communications Director Rob Shorthouse, who took part in the zip slide event, said:

“MND Scotland is a charity that is really close to my heart, particularly since we lost my friend Gordon Aikman to the illness earlier this year.

“We are very proud at the ScotRail Alliance to have a three-year partnership with MND Scotland, and we’ve made a great start. I can’t pretend that I particularly enjoyed the zip slide across the Clyde, but it was all for a good cause.

“We have managed to raise a lot of money to find a cure for motor neurone disease and to raise awareness of this illness.”

Morag McGown, Corporate Partnerships Manager at MND Scotland, said:

“The zip slide was a great day and we were thrilled to see so many ScotRail Alliance staff getting involved.

“This is the first big event of the three-year partnership and we cannot believe the team managed to raise so much. These funds will go towards helping us support people across Scotland who are affected by motor neurone disease and fund more research to find a cure for this devastating illness.

“Next up is our Firewalk on 13th October, at Hampden Park, where more staff will brave the flames and walk across 20 feet of fire burning hot enough to melt aluminium.”

The Alzheimer Scotland Golf Day is returning to the Championship East Course at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club on Thursday 28th September.

Join in for a fabulous day of golf, networking, food and raising funds for Alzheimer Scotland!

“The Alzheimer Scotland Golf Day was first class, from the golf, the staff on location and to the beautiful setting. As well as helping to build established relationships with clients it was also a great networking opportunity. Dementia is an issue that needs to be addressed and we are very keen to support the cause. We are looking forward to returning to the 2017 Golf Day with high expectations.” – Douglas Brown, Relationship Director, Corporate Banking at Barclays

Prizes on the day include a four ball at the prestigious Fairmont Resort Torrance course in St Andrews as well as four tickets to the final day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

A team of four is just £400. To reserve your team space please email corporatefundraising@alzscot.org or call 0131 243 1453.