In this issue
Other news and features
Client Profile
Tommy Anderson Tommy, a Scot in London, recently organised and hosted a Burn’s Supper in his local area to raise money for ScotsCare.
SS: What is your connection to Scotland?
TM: I am originally from Campbelltown and moved to London via Glasgow. I have been living in London for 32 years now.
SS: What is your connection to ScotsCare?
TM: ScotsCare helped me in the past when I went into the YMCA in Walthamstow.
SS: Why did you decide to fundraise for ScotsCare?
TM: I wanted to help ScotsCare as they and Borderline helped me to get into the YMCA in Walthamstow after a period of homelessness and I just wanted to give something back as a thank you.
SS: What did you do to fundraise for ScotsCare?
TM: I organised a Burn’s Supper for 65 people in the Rose and Crown in Walthamstow. We had a traditional meal with great company. The mayor of Walthamstow was in attendance along with staff from ScotsCare and
Branches which was the other charity we raised money for. A great night was had by all and we raised £150 for ScotsCare.
SS: What is it about fundraising that you enjoy?
TM: I do a lot of charity work and fundraising for many charities but I thought it was important to highlight the valuable work that ScotsCare and Borderline do for Scots in London. I am also applying to become a volunteer with ScotsCare. I just wanted to give something back to the charities that helped me so much.
ScotsCare counts on the passion and commitment of its supporters in raising valuable funds which go directly towards meeting the needs of vulnerable Scots in London. Any amount, big or small counts and is
gratefully accepted on behalf of the Scots it will help support. If you would like to hold a fund raising event in your local area for ScotsCare or have an idea for an event to raise money then either email Ross,
ross@scotscare.com or call on 0800 652 2989.
Scotscare Tip
The National Benevolent Fund for the Aged was founded to improve the quality of life for older people in the UK who live on a low income. NBFA does this by providing direct, practical assistance through the provision of emergency alarms, TENS pain relief machines and organises free holidays for older people. The NBFA provides assistance for pensioners who live on a low income. This normally means they receive pension credit, housing or Council tax benefit, but they may also be eligible for help if their income is just above the level at which they would receive these benefits. Please contact the NBFA office if you need advice on eligibility for the services they provide. If you know of an older person or if you run a group for pensioners who might benefit from any of the services that they provide, then please ring the NBFA office and talk to a member of staff
about how they can help.
Email: info@nbfa.org.uk or Phone: 020 7828 0200
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Scot of the Year
ScotsCare are delighted to announce that Sir Chris Hoy has been named our Scot of the Year for 2008. In a public vote which saw Gordon Brown go from first in 2007 to last in 2008 and controversial second generation Scot, Donald Trump finish in third, it was perhaps no surprise that the real McHoy ran (probably cycled) away with the title. We hear he has cleared the mantelpiece of his Olympic medals and Sports Personality of the year trophy to make room for the only award that matters, ScotsCare’s Scot of the Year. Actually we don’t have a trophy but if we did…
Sir Chris said, ‘It is an honour to be named Scot of the Year 2008 by ScotsCare and I am very grateful to the public who voted for me. Scotland has a great sporting tradition and I’m sure many more sports men and women will be voted future Scots of the Year’
Thank you to everyone who voted through our website.
Runrig triumph in search for Scotland's Favourite Song
In our St Andrew’s Day poll, ‘Loch Lomond’ by Runrig was voted Scotland’s favourite song, just pipping Big Country with Fields of Fire’ to the post. Dougie Maclean came in third with Caledonia’.
Winners Runrig said, “We are honoured to come out top in this vote, Loch Lomond is a deserving winner and a song we love to perform.”
Luckily, Runrig were in London playing at the Forum in Kentish Town to a packed house on the 28th of November and we were on hand with Lulu to present them with a specially commissioned St Andrew’s disc. Lulu said, “Runrig are a fantastic Scottish band, I’m delighted that Scots are voting for and appreciating them. Loch Lomond is definitely one of those songs that very quickly reminds you of home. Perhaps we now have the answer to Scotland’s National Anthem”
Borderline news
ScotsCare is set to work more closely with its sister charity, Borderline. Borderline works with homeless and insecurely housed Scots in London. We will keep you updated with more details as our relationship progresses.
Client events
We had a busy festive season with Christmas parties for our Scots seniors in Luton, Euston and Bloomsbury lunch groups.We also had an over-60s outing to the ‘White Christmas’ show at the Albert Hall, an afternoon of Christmas songs and music with fantastic performances, lighting and ambience. Thanks to Ann-Marie Michel for photos. For families, we had an outing to the Natural History Museum ice rink, where over 200 children and parents joined us for a whirl on the ice.
Gay Gordons
The Gay Gordon’s Dance Week, Scotland, 16th-23rd May 2009.
Come and join one of London's friendliest LGBT social groups, The Gay Gordon’s, for a week of Scottish country dance at Laurieston Hall in south-west Scotland. Spend some of the week learning steps, improving technique, and getting new dances under your belt; spend the other part of the week making new friendships or strengthening old ones, eating delicious vegetarian food, and enjoying the pleasures of Laurieston's 135 acres with loch, sauna, lochen, volleyball court, woods and walks. All for just £275. Contact james@thegaygordons.org for our full information sheet.
Calcutta Cup Carnival
Get yourself down to the London Scottish rugby ground in Richmond on the 21st of March for the Calcutta Cup Carnival which includes; London Scottish vs Rugby Lions at 1pm, Pipe and Drum bands, Live entertainment and big screen coverage of England vs Scotland at 3.30pm. Tickets from just £20, hospitality from £75. For further information or tickets, call London Scottish on 0208 940 7156 or email
admin@londonscottish.com or helena.searcaigh@londonscottish.com
ScotsCare’s Services
Did you know that two out of three of our residential developments are sheltered housing for the over 55’s? These sites benefit from Wardens available on site five days a week providing a first point of contact to all
residents to deal with a multitude of issues. The Wardens also organise regular social events for the residents from daytrips to places of interest to weekly coffee mornings. Most importantly the Wardens through their system of daily checks, are able to ensure the wellbeing of all their residents. If you would like to know more about our housing, call our team on 0800 652 2989.
ScotsCare Blog
If you would like to read about what goes on behind the scenes at ScotsCare and get an insight into the day to day running of the charity, visit the new ScotsCare blog. You can read about client support, communications, volunteering and housing, with our weekly blogs from Marc, Harry, Ross, Rebecca, Fay, Ralph and more, covering a wide range of subjects, not just work related. You can also subscribe to a live feed so each new Blog will be delivered to your desktop. The ScotsCare blog is available at www.scotscare.com/blog.
Scots Corner
Hear about the skeleton that wore a kilt?
It was Boney Prince Charlie.
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