The Edinburgh Reporter December 2023

99

By STAFF REPORTER

VALENCIA COMMUNITIES Trust has

stepped in to help replace the leaky

church hall roof at St Peter’s Lutton Place,

hoping that many local people will

benefit each week.

Congregation and other community

users are celebrating the award of grants

from two trusts - £25,000 from Valencia

Communities Trust and £3,000 from

Benefact Trust which will help pay for a

new roof on the large, well used hall just

off South Clerk Street.

St Peter’s Rector, Rev Nick Wills said:

“We are so grateful to Valencia

Community Trust and Benefact Trust.

“Hundreds of people from our

church and wider community meet

here every week. Over recent years

our congregation has invested a lot of

money ourselves into refurbishing our

hall and rooms. They are now accessible

and a resource for many different

community organisations.”

ROOM UPGRADES

The current hall was built in 1937 to

replace an older 19th century hall on the

site. The extensive halls and meeting

rooms at Lutton Place have been

upgraded in recent years to be more

energy efficient and comfortable.

Mark Denholm from Pinnacle Roofing

specialists, who won the competitive

tender to renew and upgrade the roof

said: “The new slate is of a heritage style,

over an improved, modern ventilation

system. This re roof should serve well in

the years to come.”

Kate Langer, Tailor Ed Foundation, runs

a playgroup for children with autism and

their families at St Peter’s Hall. She said:

“The hall works well for the families we

support. It is a good size for children who

may be feeling anxious. It is also warm,

pleasant and accessible in a central

location, convenient for many of the

families that we work with. So many

families we work with, find it difficult to

access a safe space with activities

appropriate for their kids. At St Peter’s

they can come and know their kids will

have fun and parents can relax a little.

Parents have also really benefitted from

networks created at these sessions.”

Walking with Sam beside him Adam’s life has changed for the better

Adam’s best bud

Keeping the roof

on Saint Peter’s

Adam with his yellow

lab cross, Sam

The Reverend

Nick Wills with

Mark Denholm

THE TENNIS coaching

programme Edinburgh Tennis

raised more than £1,500 for the

Edinburgh Food Project while

hosting more than 90 players at

their Birthday Party.

Tennis coaches Michael Millar

and Finn Mclean staged a series

of fun games, activities and mini

tournaments for players of all

ages and abilities at Merchiston

Castle School's tennis dome.

Pizza company Civerino's

supplied the pizza to keep

everyone's energy levels

topped up.

Michael said “We’ve run this

event for six years now and this

has been the biggest turnout

ever! Whilst it is my birthday,

I love that the party can bring

together so many keen players

from all the different areas of

tennis for such an important

cause. Sport can be such a

powerful tool for good and

I want to pass that message

on to the players.”

Edinburgh Tennis is a

partnership of Michael and

Finn’s coaching expertise,

offering tuition to juniors and

adults who are playing at all

levels from total beginners to

county and even national level.

http://www.edinburghtennis.com

Tennis fundraiser for the Edinburgh Food Project

By STAFF REPORTER

ADAM CUSACK SAYS that getting Buddy Dog

Sam is “the best thing we’ve ever done”.

The 20-year-old from Musselburgh lives with

sight loss and other health conditions, and he

was assisted by Guide Dogs UK and the players

of the People’s Postcode Lottery in the

life-changing move. Players of People’s

Postcode Lottery have raised more than £

million for Guide Dogs since 2018, helping

them transform lives through numerous

projects and services just like the Buddy

Dogs’ service.

Adam now has an incredible companion and

he is said to have flourished, growing in

confidence and independence.

When Adam was three years old, he

contracted Meningitis, a rare, combined strain

of Haemophilus Influenza B and D. He was put

in an induced coma for two weeks to aid his

recovery, but incurred a brain injury which

impacted his optic nerve. He lost 25% of his

eyesight on the bottom left quadrant of each

eye and suffers other conditions, such as

epilepsy, as a result.

Growing up, Adam adapted well to his sight

loss. But, despite that, his conditions impacted

his life, and from the ages of around 10 to 17,

he became more insular and isolated.

His family heard about the Guide Dogs’

Buddy Dog service which matches children,

young people and families with a dog.

Buddy dogs are former trainee guide dogs

that have had a career change. They are pet

dogs who support children and young people

in building confidence and trust and provide

companionship. During the time that Adam’s

family applied for a buddy dog, the service

was fully funded by players of People’s

Postcode Lottery.

In December 2021, when Adam was aged 18,

Guide Dogs introduced the family to yellow

Labrador cross golden retriever Sam. There was

an immediate bond between Adam and Sam.

Frank, Adam’s dad, said: “Having Sam has

transformed every facet of our family. Adam

has a dog he looks after, which has increased

his confidence and independence.”

In 2022, Adam suffered a health setback. His

condition caused several seizures, which

compromised his central nervous system. He

was in severe pain, needing hospital treatment,

and was confined to a wheelchair for a couple

of months. During this time, Sam would rest

his head on Adam to try and comfort him.

Frank said, “Without Sam’s friendship

throughout that period, Adam would be

significantly more damaged. Sam provides an

emotional point for Adam to anchor himself to.

And physically, he’s also better off now being

more mobile.”

Adam said: “He’s changed my life for the

better. When I was unwell, he helped by just

being there for me and comforting me. We

always say that getting Sam is the best thing

we’ve ever done.”

Robbie Campbell, Buddy Dog Service Lead

at Guide Dogs commented, “The bond between

Adam and Sam has been incredible from the

start. Sam has really supported Adam through

some difficult times, which has been great for

his physical and mental wellbeing. Having Sam

has bought a lot of laughter to the family life.”

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s

Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted that

players have been able to support such a

wonderful Guide Dogs service. It’s great to

know that buddy dogs provide children and

young people with sight loss like Adam

much-needed emotional support and build

confidence and trust at such a crucial stage in

their lives.”