NEWSLETTER  •  Christmas  2022

Welcome

Welcome to our 2022 Christmas newsletter. It has been a joy to return to a full respite break programme this year, after the disruption to our services caused by Covid for two years. This year our programme was able to run for longer than ever, beginning on 21st March and running for 36 weeks, right the way through until 25th November. We had the privilege of 395 children and young people from all over Scotland coming to Ardvullin for a stimulating and fun break away from challenging issues at home.

Our new activity centre Taigh Sona has been a brilliant addition to our facilities on site. We have been able to add indoor climbing, yoga, and a selection of sports and games to our programme, which has helped to reduce travel costs and fuel emissions. We have also added segway and tubing to our off-site activities, both within easy reach of Ardvullin. 

All in all, 2022 has been a great year for HopScotch, and we are eagerly looking forward to 2023 already!

Christmas Giving and Fundraising for HopScotch

Christmas is a time when our thoughts often turn to giving, and here at HopScotch we look back with enormous gratitude for all the generous giving we've benefitted from throughout 2022. Thank you to all the amazing and kind individuals and organisations who have supported us throughout 2022!

As the year draws to an end, we'd like to say a special thank you to Craigleith Probus Club in Edinburgh (pictured). This lovely group recently raised £282 for HopScotch, and Roberta & Alison were delighted to go and meet them. 

We have also received a wonderful donation from Calnex Solutions, who have raised £4,500 for HopScotch through their Christmas raffle. Thank you so much to everyone who bought raffle tickets!

We also were delighted to receive £200 from Skipton Building Society, who ran a branch-based scheme in Edinburgh. We came third in the customer vote - thank you to all who voted for us!

If you're interested in fundraising for HopScotch, there are lots of ways to do so. The start of the New Year is often a time people set themselves fitness goals, so maybe one of these events will help you to set yourself a challenge for 2023 and raise some money for HopScotch at the same time!

• Enter the Edinburgh Marathon festival, and we will pay your entry fee in return for you raising a minimum fundraising target of £500! More information is available here, or get in touch with us to find out more. Entry dates for the Edinburgh Marathon will close soon, so this is one you might like to think about over the Christmas holidays.
• Take on a road cycling challenge - there are lots of possibilities here.
• Take part in a virtual Dog Jog event! All the information and inspiration you need is here.

These are only some of the possibilities available. We'll be offering more ideas and support to take part in fundraising events in the new year, so do watch this space or get in touch with us to talk about your own ideas.

And finally, if you'd like to make a gift to HopScotch this Christmas please make a donation here. Your gift helps us to continue to support some of Scotland's most vulnerable children, by giving them a break from the difficult circumstances they are living in. We are so grateful for any amount you can give, even a small one-off donation can make an enormous difference. What does your gift help to pay for? Here are some examples:

• £5 a month for a year will pay for 6 children to go tubing during their respite break.
• £18 a month for a year will pay for 12 children to go horse riding or on a boat trip during their respite break.
• £30 a month for a year will pay for 1 child to experience a full week at Ardvullin, including all activities.

And Finally...Merry Christmas!

2022 has been a brilliant and busy year for HopScotch; thank you to everyone who supported us, and especially to all the children who stayed with us who have made it such a fun and busy time! We're looking forward to an exciting 2023.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year!