Five things you need to know today Edinburgh!

A new national memorial dedicated to Scotland’s organ and tissue donors was officially opened to the public yesterday by Public Health Minister Michael Matheson.

Situated in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the memorial provides a lasting tribute to those Scots who saved or improved the lives of others by making the decision to donate their organs or tissue after death.

Scottish artist Alec Finlay created the memorial, working with donor families, transplant recipients and health professionals.

It features a dry-stane ‘taigh’ (Gaelic for ‘house’) with a turf-roof, which seals in a set of river stones. Buried under the foundations is a memorial book containing the first names of every organ and tissue donor between 2006 and late 2013. This ‘wilding garden’ is also home to two circle poems and a ‘font’ containing pebbles collected from beaches around Scotland.

Today Public Health Minister Michael Matheson visited the Scottish Government-funded memorial and met with donor families and transplant recipients involved in its development.

He said: “This memorial is a fitting tribute to the selfless generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families who, at a time of great tragedy, honour the wishes of their loved-ones. Through this act of kindness many lives are saved and it is right that this is marked through a public memorial.

“A very peaceful space has been created in this quiet corner of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which offers people the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable gift of organ and tissue donation. I hope that everyone whose lives have been touched in some way by donation can find peace and solace by visiting this memorial.”

Alec Finlay said: “Organ and tissue donation touches many people: as an act of giving that passes between the dead and the living, it speaks to our values as a culture. I’ve been touched and honoured to share the task with so many people, from surgeons, to families, to the artist collaborators and gardeners who helped make the final artwork.”

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “This is a very inspiring and thought provoking project. Alec Finlay’s remarkable memorial sits beautifully in a tranquil and contemplative part of the Garden in keeping with its purpose and symbolism. It is our hope that our visitors will be moved to reflect on what organ transplantation and donation means to the lives of so many people.”

At the memorial the Minister met with husband-and-wife, Sandra and Craig Warden, who donated their 11-year-old daughter Rachel’s organs and in doing so, saved three lives.

Sandra said: “Giving someone the gift of life is so very important. Having this national memorial, set within these beautiful gardens, recognises and remembers all those who provided that gift of life to others.

“This memorial is for the families of donors, for transplant recipients and anyone whose lives have been touched by donation and transplantation. From when she was very young, Rachel understood organ donation and made me promise we would donate her organs if anything ever happened to her and we fulfilled her wishes.”

***

Public meeting at 7pm on 25th September at the KINGS MANOR HOTEL

Planners, politicians and objectors will come together to thrash out the issues about planning issues

A CHANCE TO LISTEN, LEARN OR PROTEST

Or just simply to demand more time to do the above.

The supporters of the Brunstane fieldave brought together developers, planning officials and elected reps to account for their actions in their threat to annihilate the “lungs” of our city. Be there to judge for yourself!

ALL WELCOME!!

***

An Edinburgh business is encouraging youngsters to reveal their artistic talent as it teams up with the UK’s leading animal welfare charity.

Volkswagen Van Centre Edinburgh is calling on children from six years and above to enter a national competition to design the exterior of the soon-to-be-launched fleet of RSPCA vans.

The new, specially customised Volkswagen Crafter vans are expected to save the charity around £800,000 a year in running costs.

Previously the RSPCA had to rely on private boarding kennels to provide temporary homes for animals. However, the six new vans will revolutionise their service, enabling the charity to move around 64,000 animals to its various RSPCA centres, reducing boarding costs and helping the charity to home up to 15,000 more animals a year.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with the RSPCA and would like children to use their imagination when creating their designs,” said Matt Stewart, head of business at Volkswagen Van Centre Edinburgh.

“These vehicles will be travelling the length and breadth of the UK and will be an integral part of the charity’s operations. The designs should be colourful and demonstrate the variety of animals that benefit from the charity’s work as well as capturing the general public’s interest and ultimately the awareness of the RSPCA’s work.”

“There will be six national winners so we really hope that one will be from the Edinburgh area,” concluded Matt.

The RSPCA design a van initiative is part of a nationwide competition in partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The six winning designs will be replicated onto the exterior of the vehicles.

Speaking of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle partnership, Matthew Cull, head of high value giving at the RSPCA, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a highly regarded brand

“The Crafter vans are particularly spacious and will be specially converted to meet our needs, including cages to safely transport the animal as well as featuring racking and storage areas.

“The vans will provide a valuable lifeline for both the animal’s welfare and their future prospects of finding a new home as well as delivering essential cost savings for the charity as a whole

“The six winners could come from any part in the UK as we are looking for inspirational and vibrant designs but we would like to wish youngsters in the Edinburgh area the very best of luck.”

Children are required to visit www.rspca.org.uk/vwcv for full competition details and to download the artwork template. All entries will need to be posted and received by 30^th September to be considered for the competition.