NEWSLETTER  •  SILVER JUBILEE 2024

Anna's News

This summer we have had lots of fun making videos to celebrate 25 years of HopScotch. The visiting groups have come up with some amazing ideas for videos, including 25 splashes in the sea, building 25 sandcastles, and 25 jumps on the trampoline. Keep watching our social media for more videos of the groups helping us to celebrate our 25th year.

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, HopScotch is asking people to take on a challenge related to the number 25. Since I often go swimming in the sea with the kids at HopScotch, I've decided to link my challenge to this tradition. I'm challenging myself to take a dip in the sea 25 times between the end of our 2024 programme in November and the start of the 2025 programme next March. This challenge means I'll be taking cold dips in December, January and February! I'll keep everyone updated on my progress through photos and videos on our social media. If anyone would like to sponsor me to encourage me to keep braving the cold water this winter that would be amazing! All sponsorship money will go towards supporting the work we do at HopScotch.

Thankfully it's a little longer until I have to start going for my cold water dips, as at the timing of writing we still have 5 weeks left of our 2024 programme. As the weather is turning colder we have enjoyed having campfires with our HopScotch groups. The children help to gather wood and then learn how to use flint and steel to start our fire. The best part is roasting marshmallows over the flames and using our Kelly Kettle to make hot chocolate. Yummy!

Introducing Project 25 

For the last 25 years HopScotch has welcomed over 7000 children from all around Scotland to our Ardvullin holiday centre for respite breaks.  As co-founder Roberta McKay says:

"This significant milestone is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our supporters, employees, volunteers and partner organisations. We extend our heartfelt thanks for helping us to make a genuine difference in the lives of so many children"

This autumn we are launching our Project 25 campaign, to mark this amazing milestone moment and also to kickstart our silver jubilee fundraising campaign to help us continue the work we love to do. You can read all about Project 25 here.

There are many ways you can get involved too - we're inviting people to take on a challenge themed around 25, and our Project 25 page provides all kinds of ideas. Take a look and be inspired!

Children visiting Ardvullin have been completing their own 25 challenges, which have included 25 splashes for HopScotch, and making signs and sandcastles too!  HopScotch staff members and friends have been running for HopScotch as well: could you do 25 runs in a month? Or complete a 10K by running two consecutive 25 minute 5ks?! 

If you would like to get involved, our fundraising link for Project 25 is here

...And Finally

HopScotch is lucky enough to have the support and guidance of a small and talented board. They keep themselves in the background, but are a vital part of the work that we do. Their generosity in giving up their time and their expertise to help HopScotch are very much appreciated. 

We are delighted to have recently welcomed two new members to our board: Laura Macdonald and Chris Gotts. Laura and Chris both come from the legal world. You can read interviews with Laura here and Chris here.

In other news, we were so delighted to have received a surprise donation of £5000 at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in September! Watch the moment when Roberta is told the surprise here! We'd also like to say a special thank you to the Edward Gostling Foundation, who have awarded us a legacy donation.