Barnardo’s Shoe Appeal begins today
March 16, 2013 by admin · Leave a Comment
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NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOEBUSINESS
A-list actress Brenda Blethyn has teamed up with singing icon Dame Shirley Bassey to ask women across Scotland to put their best foot forward for Barnardo’s Shoe Appeal starting Saturday 16 March.
The dynamic duo have joined the mass shoe de-clutter event, aimed at encouraging people all over Scotland to free themselves from their unworn or good condition shoes, and help raise thousands for the most vulnerable children.
We need shoes that will cover every occasion; to protect from rain, sleet and snow; that finishing touch to an interview outfit; or even finding the perfect ‘baffies’ to relax in.
Brenda Blethyn OBE, star of the hit TV crime drama ‘Vera’ and ‘Mary and Martha’, said:- “As a confirmed shoe-devotee, this is a great opportunity to donate pre-loved shoes and help children and young people throughout the UK. Dame Shirley Bassey and I share a strong desire to support Barnardo’s and the Shoe Appeal is a fun way to do just that.”
The double Oscar-nominated actress, and Barnardo’s Ambassador has donated a stunning pair of gold sandals worn on the red carpet.
Fellow celebrity Shoe Appeal signatory Dame Shirley Bassey, a Barnardo’s supporter, said: “Like most women I have shoes that I certainly don’t wear anymore. By giving them to the stock appeal, it’s given me the perfect chance to clear out my shoe rail, donate the forgotten footwear and support a great cause. I’m urging everybody to ‘step up’ for the Shoe Appeal and donate their shoes to Barnardo’s.”
The international singing star has donated ten pairs of her favorite footwear, including elegant Emporio Armani sandals, glamorous chunky cowboy boots, peep toe Stuart Weitzman shoes and vintage style TTxTT evening shoes.
Companies, retailers and individuals are encouraged to donate; please dig deep into your cupboards, lofts, and dust off that shoe rack! All proceeds go toward supporting disadvantaged children in your area.
All profits from the charity’s stores go towards helping Barnardo’s services to support and transform the lives of vulnerable children in local services.
Huntington’s Disease Awareness Fundraiser
November 14, 2012 by Barry Dickson · Leave a Comment
An event to increase the awareness of Huntington’s Disease (HD) will take place this month at Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle F.C, in the Alan Rough Suite.
Huntington’s Disease is a condition described as “a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and psychiatric problems. It typically becomes noticeable in mid-adult life.”
The event will take place on Friday 30th November 8pm – midnight, organised by Annie MacKenzie.
It is billed as “Rock Around The Christmas Tree For HD Awareness” and will feature some of the best up and coming musical artists from Scotland, including Sixth Avenue Traffic, The Cosmanauts, Honeybadger and Ded Rabbit. There is also a buffet and an auction to raise funds.
Annie MacKenzie explains prejudice against those with Huntington’s Disease due to misunderstandings can be very hurtful to sufferers.
She said: ”Most sufferers stop going out due to being accused of being drunk which is very hurtful for them, our event’s are now giving them a space to feel part of their communities again, they all know we find a safe environment, friendly people and we are all together for HD awareness, that empowers people who suffer from HD to change their own attitude towards their ways of coping, helps their families feel less stressed and we all know music is a good healer for anyone who suffers from high levels of stress.”
Annie has previously organised many other fundraisers to support sufferers and families of sufferers of HD.
Commending those who help to create the event, she continued: “We always thank all the bands who play at our event over and over again for their kind free contribution not only has band members, but they guide us through the process of planning a live music event and of course our wonderful team of volunteers with who we all share one thing in common: we are all from HD families, we all know the impact HD has had on our lives and we all push to make huge changes so the next generation do not have the same amount of upset and stress as most of us have to cope with on a daily basis.
“There is also a CD called Carry On which is a compilation of 20 tracks that have all been donated (play-list to be released just before the 30/11/12) by 20 of the bands who have played at our past HD awareness live music event. The track Carry On was written by a Glasgow based band called The Coffins (who are also appearing at the fundraiser). The lead singer attended our last gig which we held at the Woodstock music club in Dunfermline, he asked me why the need to be HD aware and by the time I finished telling him it had such a huge impact on him that he went home and wrote the song.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased for £8.00 in advance by calling or texting 07706080367 or at the venue on the night for £10.00.
For more information go to: http://www.liveforlifescotland.webs.com/
Adventurous Artist Exhibition in Glasgow
November 9, 2012 by Louise Wilson · Leave a Comment
Intrepid artist Phillip Gray is holding an exhibition later the month to raise funds the The Hope Foundation in conjunction with Breeze Art Galleries.
Phillip Gray, whose artwork is coveted by many celebrities, including Dolly Parton and George Bush, will display many of his works in the two-hour exhibition, including a brand new exclusive painting of the Scottish Highlands landscape as requested by Breeze Art Gallery. This piece will encapsulate the country’s wild nature and will be for sale during the exhibition.
Phillip Gray, a self-proclaimed extreme artist, creates landscape pieces which will be on display at the exhibition. His inspiration comes from the most extreme and harshest climates known to man, including 20,000ft up Mt Everest or the North Atlantic seabed. When asked about his art, he claims it is a form of expression designed to push his thoughts to extremes.
He says: “My extreme journeys into the unknown bring new challenges that push the boundaries of my mind body and soul. Voyages of discovery, sometimes dangerous, are a stimulus to drive me forward creatively and explore new worlds of emotional expression.”
Phillip Gray will also be giving a live demonstration of how he works to guests of the event. He builds on a feeling of his surroundings to create his amazing pieces. One of his most recent pieces include a landscape of the volcanic eruption in Iceland back in 2010. This stunted travel plans for many Europeans, but Phillip only saw the excitement and potential in thsi situation.
Philip added: “The contrast between fire and ice inspired me to paint with a wider palette and freed my imagination to create paintings that are both science, yet somewhat surreal too.”
Breeze Galleries are very excited to work with Phillip in order to raise funds for such a great cause. Proceeds will go towards The Hope Foundation, a charity close to the artists heart supporting children in India and the Philippines. The Hope Foundation, based in Kolkata, provides education, healthcare and general support for children without parents.
Bob Corsie, founder of Breeze Galleries, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Philip Gray back to Glasgow, especially as he will once again be providing us with a live demonstration. Philip’s work is stunning and visitors to the exhibition will no doubt be captivated by the massive, colour filled canvases, which seem to pull those looking at them right into the heart of the landscape he is depicting.”
The exhibition will be on November 18th, between 2-4pm in the Breeze Art Gallery in Frasers, Glasgow. For an invitation to the event call Breeze Galleries on 0800 1300 345 or go to the Breeze Gallery website here.
More information on The Hope Foundation and what the charity does to help orphaned children can be found on their website here.
Hilton Glasgow to host festive market 4 December 2011
December 1, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Christmas kicks off at Hilton Glasgow this weekend with a special festive market on Sunday 4 December from 11am to 6pm in aid of Glasgow charity Withkids.
In conjunction with its own charity, Hilton in the Community Foundation, the hotel is turning the Grand Ballroom into a Christmas market with an array of stalls laden with festive goodies including gifts, crafts, jewellery and tasty treats.
Hilton Glasgow is asking all guests to join in its support of Withkids and donate an unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item to receive free entry to the market. Entertainment throughout the day includes a festive cookery demonstration, live music from Douglas T Stewart formerly of BMX Bandits, Snow Goose and classic guitar from Hillhead High School pupils.
Market goers can take a break from shopping in the Hilton Tea Room and enjoy tea, coffee and sweet treats throughout the day. Minksky’s Restaurant is offering a special rate of £15 per person for Sunday lunch; hold on to your receipt and receive 25% discount off your food bill when you return for lunch or dinner in January.
Hilton Glasgow Christmas Market
Sunday 4 December 2011 11am till 6pm
1 William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT
0141 204 5555
Single released for charity just in time for Christmas
November 28, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Edward Reid from “Britain’s Got Talent” is releasing his Christmas single to raise money for Aberlour Child Care Trust.
Reid, the Scottish star of ITV’s hit show, “Britain’s Got Talent”, has released a charity single today in a bid to raise money for Scotland’s disadvantaged children this Christmas with top Scottish children’s charity the Aberlour Child Care Trust.
And Edward gave a lucky group of Falkirk children in Aberlour’s care a sneak preview of his song when he dropped in on a singing visit. Pictured with Edward on his singing visit is Leon McGregor (left) and Dylan McKinnon from Falkirk.
The single is Edward’s memorable version of Leona Lewis’s ‘Run’, but is sung with his own twist, using nursery rhymes as the lyrics. It was his performance of the song that first captured the nation’s hearts when he appeared on TV screens earlier this year. And now by releasing the single, the singing sensation from Coatbridge hopes to raise funds for a cause close to his heart, Aberlour Children’s Charity.
Aberlour works with 6,000 children and families each year at more than 40 services across Scotland. Funds raised from the single, which is available to download on iTunes, will help to support vulnerable children and young people this Christmas.
The Aberlour Choir featuring Edward Reid “Twinkle Twinkle” EP will feature 3 songs including the nursery rhyme single and festive favourites, “Last Christmas” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.” The EP will be available for iTunes download on Monday 28th November and proceeds will go to Aberlour.
Edward Reid, 36, is originally from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.
Photograph by: Colin Hattersley, Freelance Photography - www.colinhattersley.com -colinhattersley@btinternet.com – 07974 957 388
Race for Life going for a million
April 14, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
To celebrate a decade of support for Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, Tesco has teamed up with a host of famous faces to encourage one million women to sign up to this year’s event series.
An inspiring video, starring Race for Life ambassador Paula Radcliffe and celebrity supporters Kate Walsh, Linda Barker, Jeff Brazier, Brian Dowling, Nell McAndrew and Fay Ripley has been released today to spur on as many women as possible to walk, jog or run 5k at their local Race for Life event, and you can watch it below…
Olympic athlete Paula Radcliffe and actress Fay Ripley have already joined forces with Tesco to star in a TV advert motivating one million women to take part.
Race for Life is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series which, since it began in 1994, has raised a staggering £362 million towards Cancer Research UK’s work into all types of cancer. The charity hopes that with the help of Tesco, Race for Life 2011 will be the biggest year yet and that one million women will help raise £80 million at over 300 events across the UK from May until July 2011.
To sign up to Race for Life 2011 and for more information, visit www.raceforlife.org/tesco or call the hotline on 0871 641 1111
The Glasgow 5K takes place on 5 June at Glasgow Green. More details on The Cancer Research UK website.
Race for Life Celebrity Supporters from Race for Life on Vimeo.
And here is the pack to help you get on your way to running the race – go on you know you can do it!
Spring clean your wardrobe for Charity
March 16, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Marks & Spencer in Scotland today calls on customers to help in donating 500,000 unwanted or unused clothes and accessories to stores on 24th March for its first Spring ‘One Day Wardrobe Clearout’ event, in partnership with Oxfam.
The call to action comes as new research shows that charities are missing out on as much as £1.5 billion in revenue a year – three times the annual income of some of Britain’s biggest charities – as clothes are thrown out instead of being donated to charity shops.
The national clearout event, will help significantly reduce the amount of clothing going to landfill and raise crucial funds for Oxfam.
TV presenter and singer Michelle McManus will launch the campaign at M&S’ Braehead store next week (24th March, 10.00am) by donating items from her own wardrobe.
In total, 367 M&S stores are taking part and every customer that donates will receive a £5 money off voucher when they spend £35 on fashion in store, redeemable until 30th April. An advertising campaign to promote the event starring X-Factor judge and M&S model Dannii Minogue launches tomorrow.
There are 9,000 charity shops and numerous local authority recycling banks in the UK, yet despite this we are still throwing away 391 million items of clothing every year. These are clothes that could be generating much needed income for good causes.
The M&S poll of over 2,200 people also revealed that:
· When it comes to throwing away clothes, men are the worst culprits as they are twice as likely to throw clothes in the bin compared with women;
· People in Northern Ireland throw away the most clothes – on average each binning 10 items of clothing every year;
· People living in the South West and East of England throw away the fewest, but still send an average of seven items to landfill every year;
· One in five of us admit that they are more likely to keep an item of clothing they know they probably won’t wear, than donate it to a charity shop;
· 28 per cent of women would consider donating their wedding dress to charity shop;
· Our busy lifestyles are a major factor in us not recycling more clothing with a third of people citing time as a reason for not donating more;
· Three quarters of people say that the economic downturn hasn’t changed how much they donate to charities and 15 per cent even say they are giving more since the start of the credit crunch.
Laura Mitchell, Braehead M&S store manager, said: “It’s clear that far too many clothes still go to landfill when they could be making money for charities and helping the environment. We’re calling on our customers to donate their clothes: it’s an easy way to make a difference and you get a great M&S money-off voucher.”
Oxfam’s Director of Trading David McCullough said: “The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange has been an incredibly successful partnership for us. The generosity of the thousands of M&S customers who have donated to our shops has helped us raise more than £3.5million to support our ongoing work fighting poverty around the world. The Spring wardrobe clearout will help us raise even more money, and for anyone that can’t make it on the day they can still take unwanted clothing to their nearest Oxfam shop all year-round.”
For more information visit the M & S website or the Oxfam website