The Edinburgh Reporter December 2022

99

Winter Warmers

By SANDHYA MENON

SOUTH GYLE animal lover Linda Lee

Thomson has begun a Christmas drive

for two charities on her Facebook page

• the SSPCA and the Edinburgh Dog and
  Cat Home (EDCH) - to ensure their
  animals have enough food and care.
  Linda ran a similar donation drive
  last year very successfully. She said:
  “I’ve not had much success yet this year
  and I blame it on the cost of living crisis.
  “I am appealing for dog food
  because blankets are easy to source.
  It’s the food that keeps the animals alive.
  The charities do not have as many cats as
  they do dogs, so I’d prefer dog food
  because that is something that will last.”
  The SSPCA had charity shops which they
  had to close, losing a revenue stream.
  She does not like asking for money
  and keeps it strictly to goods. She
  remains hopeful that she will be able to
  achieve more donations this year and
  that over Christmas the appeal will have
  more success.

LifeCare Edinburgh

begins urgent appeal

Christmas appeal

for animal food

LifeCare Edinburgh is a Scottish Charity, SC012641, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

LOOKING FOR A way to support older people

and help them to keep warm this winter,

LifeCare Edinburgh has begun an urgent appeal.

The Winter Warmer campaign will allow the

organisation to extend its services this winter -

including turning their community café into

a welcoming warm space with free heat, hot

food, companionship and activities - even at

the weekends.

The charity is asking everyone to support

them with a donation which will allow them to

add to its services of day clubs, help at home,

meals on wheels, unpaid carers support and

companionship.

The café on Cheyne Street is an integral part

of their service, but it also provides funds to the

charity from its operational profits.

The charity reaches people with dementia,

reduced mobility and those who struggle on low

incomes. Their clients may have mental health

concerns and LifeCare recognises the need to

keep people in their own homes living well and

independently for as long as possible.

James Wells, Chief Executive of LifeCare said:

“We are extremely worried about those in our

community. The cold, dark months are always

difficult, and this year, with rising food and fuel

costs, it will be devastating for many. Older

people are still coming to terms with the

aftermath of the Covid restrictions, abilities and

mobility deteriorated rapidly and enquiries for

our help are rising, up 250% in some services.

Now hit by the cost-of-living crisis, these same

people, who are just regaining the confidence

and motivation to get back to their

communities, can’t afford to take part in

activities or meet friends for food/drink.

On top of the 'heat or eat' dilemma they

face this winter they are also at risk of serious

social isolation.

“LifeCare has a long history of supporting

and empowering older people to live life to the

full, but as a charity we rely on donations to

enable us to deliver our lifesaving and

life-affirming services. Thanks to our

care, we will ensure that each older

person receives the support they

need. We will make sure they are

warm in their homes, they eat well,

have company to look forward to and

are able to get out and about to activities

safely. We are asking local people and

businesses to consider giving a one-off or

regular gift to our Winter Warmer appeal.

With support, LifeCare can deliver the positive

care older people need to ensure they keep

warm and well in body and mind.

“There are different ways people can help

support. One-off and regular donations can be

made on our website or alternatively people can

come along to our community café to pledge

their support. Even choosing to have your coffee

or lunch from our café will help us to deliver the

care local older people need.”

http://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk

Would you like to

support older people

and help them to keep

Warm this Winter?

20% discount oFF your bill in

caFeliFe on cheyne street

Just bring your copy oF the edinburgh

reporter and shoW it When paying the bill

your donations help

us deliver vital

care services