Ten colleagues at leading law firm Thorntons bravely volunteered to have their heads shaved in the name of charity and have raised £8000 so far for Cancer Research.

Lynne Steel, department supervisor in personal injury at Thorntons, rallied her fellow colleagues to take part in the challenge on Friday 4 August 2017 in aid of Cancer Research. The firm also held a bake off and dress down day over the weekend to raise additional funds for Cancer Research.

The nine co-workers, based in Dundee, who joined Lynne were John O’Neill, Stephen Brand, Vincent Chung, Stephen O’Hare, Colin Whyte, Ewan Ramsay, Heather McKenzie, Lee Corr and joint managing partner Craig Nicol.

Thorntons partner Stephen Brand not only volunteered to have his head shaved also took the razor to his beard – for the first time in 45 years.
Lynne said: “I’m so proud of my colleagues for joining me in this challenge and I hope they’ll all wear their new looks with pride- especially Stephen who also shaved his 45 year old beard. His children had never seen him clean-shaven.”

“We chose a bold fundraising attempt for those who have lost their lives and those who have survived cancer within in the firm, and I’m delighted with all the support we’ve received.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed that we’ve raised £8000 when we initially set a target of £1,500.”

Sarah Johnston, Local Fundraising Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and has set ambitious plans and aspirations for the future.

“However, progress is only made possible thanks to people fundraising, without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses. I’d like to congratulate the Thorntons team for braving the clippers all in the name of charity and for a fantastic total.”

Sponsorship pledges can still be made to Thorntons Cancer Research fundraising here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thorntons-law-charity-head-shave.

Before photo: (Back L-R) Heather McKenzie, Ewan Ramsay, Leah Steel, Colin Whyte, Cara MacGregor, John O’Neill, Lee Corr, (Front L-R) Vincent Chung, Lynne Steel, Craig Nicol, Stephen Brand and Stephen O’Hare.

After photo: (Back L-R) Leah Steel from CM Hair, Heather McKenzie, Ewan Ramsay, Emre Sezen from A Class Barbers, Lee Corr, Colin Whyte and Cara MacGregor from CM Hair, (Front L-R) Craig Nicol, Vincent Chung, Lynne Steel, Stephen Brand, Stephen O’Hare.

Edinburgh’s top business leaders and influencers are set to spend a day in the dog house this October for a very good cause.

On 6 October 2017, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home will lock 24 business leaders in its kennels to raise sponsorship for the city’s stray and abandoned dogs and cats.

Armed with only a laptop and a mobile phone, the business gurus have one working day to raise as much sponsorship funds as they can, in order to be released. A series of treats will awarded to mark their progress and the individual who raises the most money by the end of the day will be crowned Top Dog.

Business leaders currently signed up to take part in the event include entrepreneur and online BBC Dragon’s Den ‘Dragon’ Shaf Rasul and Liz McAreavey, CEO of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

For further information about In the Dog House, or to register your interest in taking part, please contact fundraising@edch.org.uk.

Scotland’s national mental health charity SAMH reveals BT Murrayfield as it’s never been seen before!

To mark the launch of a major new challenge event, SAMH Stomp, BT Murrayfield has been given a “makeover,” with the 67,000-capacity national rugby stadium turned (temporarily) pink.

SAMH Stomp is Scotland’s first ever organised stadium stair climbing challenge.

It will take place on 7 October 2017 at BT Murrayfield and will challenge participants to conquer a unique 4,200-stair challenge.

For those who want to up the ante by taking on a serious test of endurance, a 7,400 “extreme” course is also on offer.

The concept behind SAMH Stomp originates from the southern hemisphere where stair climbing challenges in Australia and New Zealand at some of both country’s iconic stadia have become hugely popular.

Organisers at SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) hope to sign up hundreds of participants for this first edition of the event, with all sponsorship funds raised going to support Scotland’s mental health.

Jo Anderson, SAMH’s Director of External Affairs comments:

“We are excited to launch this new outdoor event, by bringing forward SAMH Stomp to Scotland for the first time.

“Our extreme course challenges participants to climb every single staircase inside the stadium bowl at BT Murrayfield. It will be a physically and mentally challenging course, but also hugely rewarding. The view from the highest point in the stadium across Edinburgh is also absolutely stunning!

“This is a vital time for mental health awareness in Scotland, having recently launched our campaign Going To Be..

“We hope that SAMH Stomp can become a major part of the event calendar in Scotland.”

To sign up to the SAMH Stomp go to www.samhstop.co.uk or for enquiries contact Gillian McManus stomp@samh.org.uk

The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step… well, Diabetes UK isn’t asking you to walk 1000 miles but what about a One Million Step Challenge?

People in Scotland are encouraged to join the One Million Step Challenge for Diabetes UK and help support the millions of people across the UK, including over 285,000 in Scotland, who are living with the condition.

The event takes place between 1 July and 30 September, and invites people to push themselves out of their comfort zone, by taking one million steps over three months and getting sponsored for every stride.
The challenge will require participants to take 10,000 steps every day.

Claire Fleming, Communications Manager at Diabetes Scotland, said: “People can choose whatever way they want to achieve their one million steps – they can walk it, jog it or even dance it! We’re really grateful to everyone who joins #TeamDUK to help raise vital funds to help people living with diabetes.

“Every penny raised will help us to support the millions of people living with diabetes across the UK. In addition, walking 10,000 steps every day can also help boost your fitness.

“You can take on the challenge alone, or better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can even split the million steps between a team to make it easier.”

If you would like to take part, email events.fundraising@diabetes.org.uk or visit https://www.diabetes.org.uk/million-step