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Justin Currie pledges his support to SBH Scotland
Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie visited Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland’s HQ in Cumbernauld to announce his unique auction prize for this year’s Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.
The “Roll to me” singer has agreed to compose, produce and record a single for the winner which will also be framed as a keepsake for the highest bidder. As part of the prize, the charity will own the rights to the song, meaning any money made from the music will go directly to specialist charity, SBH Scotland.
The Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards due to be held at the Glasgow City Hotel on Sunday 8 May, showcases the range and quality of Scotland’s entertainment industry. SBH Scotland is the official charity partner for the annual awards and all money raised on the night by the nominees will go towards the services it provides to families across Scotland.
Justin was inspired to donate the personal prize after he heard about the charity and spent time with SBH Scotland’s service users at one of its bi-weekly play schemes, singing and playing with the children at an “Under the Sea” themed session.
Justin Currie said: “I know one of the families who are supported by Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland. They are consistently singing the praises of the charity and the work they do to make their everyday lives that much easier.
“I wanted to provide a prize that would get people talking as well as hopefully raise a lot of money. I will spend time with the winner getting to know them, so the song will be something truly personal to them.”
Are Scotland taking the next step?
Folic acid in flour - Ministers ask for advice on next steps.
Public Health Minister Maureen Watt has written to Food Standards Scotland for advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid.
The advice will be used to help ministers decide how to pursue the policy on a Scotland only basis. The Scottish Government’s preference is for a UK wide solution, but the UK Government has so far failed to commit to the measure despite repeated requests.
The Welsh and Northern Irish governments have also publically backed the fortification of flour.
The Scottish Government believes mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is the best way to reduce neural tube defects like spina bifida in unborn babies. Folate levels are low across the UK by international standards – particularly so in Scotland.
Ms Watt wrote again to UK Public Health Minister Jane Ellison on November 11 last year to ask the UK Government to consider mandatory fortification. However, she again failed to commit to the step.
Ms Watt said:
“Our consistent position is that UK-wide mandatory fortification of flour is the best way to reduce neural tube defects. However, despite repeated requests it’s clear that the UK Government has no intention of doing so at this time.
“I have therefore asked Food Standards Scotland to provide some detailed advice on how we could do this on a Scotland-only basis. This advice will then be used to allow us to make a decision on what our next steps should be.
“There are far too many babies being born with Spina Bifida in Scotland – particularly in our more deprived communities. Folic acid is tasteless, entirely safe within recommended intake levels and is already included in many foods like breakfast cereals.
“There are 78 countries around the world that already have mandatory fortification of flour. The USA has done it for the past eight years, with no adverse effects on health. By joining them we can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida.”
Ross Finnie, Chair of Food Standards Scotland said:
“As Scotland’s independent public food body, we will be happy to provide the Scottish Government with the advice that has been requested. Such advice will fit well with our statutory duty to improve the diet of the Scottish population. The advice we provide will enable the Scottish Government to determine the best way forward to reduce neural tube defects. In doing so, we will draw on the previous body of advice provided by the Food Standards Agency as well as taking account of any new evidence and advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.”Folic Acid Fortification Update
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) has long advocated folic acid fortification in flour. Our Chief Executive, Andrew H D Wynd, said, “We are happy to hear that Scottish Government are now urging UK Ministers to move the fortification process forward. The recent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) letter to Health Ministers highlighted serious concerns arising from the delay in fortifying flour so the UK need to be pushing for measures to be put into place to increase the folate status of women. In Scotland it is thought that nearly 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and mother’s to be will not have increased folic acid intake prior to conception. SBH Scotland believe that mandatory fortification will make a significant difference to the many planned and unplanned pregnancies diagnosed with Neural Tube Defects, of which spina bifida is the most common.”
He continues, “Additionally, if the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is not proceeding in the short term, then advice must be put in place to ensure that woman who are sexually active and of child bearing age are aware of the importance taking folic acid prior to conception and not once pregnancy is confirmed, which is the norm at present.”
Scotland specific issues…
Scotland has more live births per head of population with spina bifida than anywhere else in the UK. Each week in Scotland one pregnancy is affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. Possibly due to religious and cultural differences, only 50% of pregnancies are terminated in Scotland as compared with 80% in the rest of the UK.
Taking folic acid supplements, at the correct recommended dose prior to conception, could prevent over 70% of these pregnancies from being affected and reduce both the number of those born with the condition and the number of pregnancies terminated.
Children born with spina bifida often have paralysis in the lower limbs, urological, neurological and orthopaedic problems which often become more significant throughout life. Fortification of flour would reduce the number of babies born with this life-long disability.
Parents in Scotland are offered impartial and non-judgmental advice by the SBH Scotland to enable them to make informed decisions about their pregnancy. Whatever the final decision, SBH Scotland will always be there for support and advice whenever needed. If you are affected by any of the issues associated with spina bifida or hydrocephalus, you can call the SBH Scotland Family Support Service helpline on 08459 11 11 12 or visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk
Further details on Folic Acid
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We have a great opportunity for a Family Support Worker to join our Stronger Links: Stronger Families Project. The post is home Based covering Edinburgh / Lothian / Fife / Borders.
Visit our Vacancies Page for further details.
Rebecca Cottage wins award
Rebecca Cottage has been awarded the 'Rod McFarlane Award for 2015' by Angus Access Panel.
Each year the Award is presented to buildings or facilities in Angus which demonstrate the best examples of positive efforts being made to encourage the inclusion of disabled people. 4 buildings were nominated this year.
Rebecca Cottage is our adapted, wheelchair accessible holiday cottage in Carnoustie. We offer subsidised rates for all SBH Scotland members and a reduction for any blue badge holders.
The design and improvements which led to our nomination included the installation of a stair lift and the more recent installation of a specialist tracking hoist from the ground floor bedroom to the bathroom.
Angus Access Panel said,
"Rebecca Cottage is a first class example of how design and equipment can be combined to fully facilitate a building for the use of families with a disabled person to use for holiday accommodation."
Pictured is Lynne Fenton (architect from Brunton Design Studio who designed the changes in the Cottage), Agnes Mackay (Chair of Angus Access Panel), Alec King (Angus Depute Provost) and David Dewar (Vice Chair of Angus Access Panel).
If you'd like more information on Rebecca Cottage or to make a holiday enquiry please call us on 03455 211 811, email or look online
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