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Question of Burns raises £50,000

Andy Nicola, Chris Tait and Ella Chambers at Question of Burns event, holding haggis

It was finally back for it's 30th 'in person' event on the 25th January and our “A Question of Burns” was still as popular as ever, raising £50,000.

Nearly 500 guests gathered at the newly refurbished ballroom of the Glasgow Hilton Hotel, to celebrate the life and work of the famous Scottish Bard with an evening of poetry, performances and a traditional Burns feast.

Former Scottish international rugby player and sports presenter Andy Nicol hosted the evening which saw guests enjoy renditions of Burns’ famous poems, a three-course meal, auction and a quiz on all things Rabbie Burns.

Other notable faces in attendance included Kevin Brown who delivered an Address to the Haggis, legendary comedian Fred MacAulay who gave the Toast to the Lassies and Scottish singer, Michelle McManus, who delivered a hilarious reply.

Scotland’s foremost Robert Burns re-enactor, Chris Tait, delivered the Immortal Memory and award-winning classical singer, and SBH Scotland ambassador, Nicola Cassells, concluded the evening with an emotive performance of Auld Lang Syne.

For over three decades, SBH Scotland’s annual evening in honour of the Ayrshire-born poet has been one of Glasgow’s most successful Burns supper events. Since its launch in 1981, the event has raised over £1 million which has been used to provide personalised support to thousands of children, young people and adults across Scotland affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

To support the charity in raising the all-important funds, Scotland’s luxury jeweller Chisholm Hunter donated a beautiful Diamond Cluster and 18ct White Gold Pendant worth £2000 for the Diamond Draw, as well as 10 designer Hugo Boss watches for each member of the winning quiz team and some luxury jewellery goody bags.

As Scotland’s only charity providing support to those with these conditions, and with little financial assistance from statutory sources, SBH Scotland relies heavily on fundraising activities to deliver its vital services.

Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “Our annual ‘Question of Burns’ supper is a highly anticipated event in our calendar each year. It was really devasting to have to postpone it last minute last year, so we were absolutely delighted to bring it back ‘in person’ for one of our biggest celebrations yet.

“Without the generosity from everyone who attended, we wouldn’t be able to provide specialist services to the 4,000 children, young people and their families who live with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus in Scotland.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended and generously gave including our headline sponsors, Chisholm Hunter, whose continued support of this event has been so crucial in building our Burns event to the level it is today. Because of our guests, speakers, volunteers and sponsors we have certainly kicked off 2023 in a spectacular way.”

Can't wait 12 months until our next Burns Supper, why not join us for our Corporate Golf Day or Ladies Lunch during the year?

To support SBH Scotland in any other way get in touch with our team via email or call us on 03455 211 600.

Christmas Appeal is Launched

Jack posing for a photo in a Christmas Appeal frame

Through unexpected news or difficult times SBH Scotland will be there so no one is left to cope alone. Each year we have to raise over £1 million to provide dedicated support. This Christmas we've launched a new appeal so we can raise £20,000 towards our annual goal. Anything you can donate will be gratefully received and will allow us to provide support and information for families like Jack’s.

Nicola and Chris Heaton were going to a routine 20 week scan when they received the news that their unborn baby had spina bifida. Nicola said,

“It was such a shock. We didn’t really know anything about it, you never expect or want to hear that news. We were given the worst case scenario by doctors about what lay ahead and then were left on our own to get on with it ourselves and make our own decisions. We wouldn’t have known where to turn if we hadn’t found SBH Scotland. From that first phone call to SBH Scotland we never looked back. They were so reassuring and positive. They also said it was a beginning, not the end and that they would be there for us every step of the way. They were absolutely right about everything - Jack is a dream come true. He’s just the happiest, bubbliest boy. We couldn’t imagine our world without him.”

Jack is now 3 and thriving! Scooting about in one of the Scotland’s smallest wheelchairs, he’s getting more independent each day. Since diagnosis SBH Scotland have been able to provide support and information for the Heaton family via phone, in our support centre or in hospital.

Chris says, “The doctors are amazing but they give information in black and white. When we spoke to SBHS they added the colour and life. It was everything we needed at that time.”

PLEASE DONATE this Christmas so SBH Scotland can add colour and life into other families lives.

Opening date for Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger revealed

Gordon Ramsay with Margo Whiteford and Deborah Roe. Image of Burger from Street Burger

The much-anticipated launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger restaurant in Edinburgh is due to take place on 1 December but the capital’s eager foodies can grab a sneak-peak and bite to eat when the doors open early on the 28th November for a charity fundraising day.

The launch day will allow guests to enjoy Scotland’s first Street Burger restaurant with all proceeds going to the restaurant’s charity partner, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland. SBH Scotland Honorary Patron, Gordon Ramsay OBE, has also pledged to match all the proceeds from the day to ensure the charity get an extra special festive funds boost.

In a bid to further bolster the charity partnership, from the 29th until the end of December, a £1 voluntary donation will be added to diners’ bills at Street Burger as well as the St Andrew Square restaurant, Bread Street Kitchen and Bar.

The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said: “We have been working on the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger for a long time and we are very much looking forward to opening the doors to our first burger restaurant in Scotland.

“This special launch day gives us the opportunity to showcase our food whilst giving back to SBH Scotland and supporting all the incredible work the charity does to help families in Scotland.”

Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For nearly 20 years, Gordon and his wife Tana, have continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.

Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “Gordon Ramsay has been a great friend of SBH Scotland for nearly two decades and we remain thankful to him and his restaurant teams for such continued generosity.

“Funds raised at this time of year are crucial for the dedicated support we can provide now and for the next 12 months. As well as our personal home and hospital support, health check clinics, counselling service and groups we’ve also just extended our financial support service for families affected by the cost of living crisis. We heavily rely on fundraising to reach our annual targets and we are grateful for every pound donated.

“This festive season, we hope all diners visiting Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger will be happy to know that every meal they have will help us continue supporting thousands of families at a time when they need it the most.”

Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Street Burger launch festive fundraiser for SBH Scotland

The staff of Bread Street Kitchen launch pose with SBH Scotland's Deborah Roe and Margo Whiteford

Gordon Ramsay’s Edinburgh venues are set to launch the GReat Donate, a festive fundraiser, to raise money for specialist charity, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland. A £1 voluntary donation will be added to diners bills at the St Andrew Square restaurant and the soon to open St James restaurant throughout the months of November and December 2022.

The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For nearly 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.

A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said: “SBH Scotland are a fantastic charity which makes a real difference to the lives of so many families across Scotland who are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

“We understand how hard charity fundraising has been hit over the last two years and while we’ve been inspired by the charity’s tenacity during this time, we felt it important to do what we can to ensure they can continue to provide their life-changing services.

“The option to add a voluntary £1 donation onto your bill is a small gesture diners at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Street Burger restaurants can make, that’ll have a big impact.”

Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “As our only Honorary Patron, Gordon has been a great friend of our charity for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful for his continued generosity.

“Over the years, he has taken time out from his busy schedule to host gala dinners, launch appeals including the campaign to build our Family Support Centre, and personally meet with the families we support.

“We heavily rely on fundraising activity to ensure we can continue to deliver many of our vital services including support groups and 1-2-1 support. The last two years have been difficult for everyone, but particularly so for those already in need and SBH Scotland, like many charities, have experienced a devastating loss of funds.

“That’s why this festive season, we hope any diners visiting Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen or Street Burger will be happy to know that every £1 raised will go a long way to helping us continue to support thousands of families at the time when they need us the most.”

Super Bario join SBH Scotland in challenge to save a charity through gaming

General Manager of Super Bario Chloe Magee holds up SBH Scotland t-shirt

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) are calling on Glasgow gamers to take part in the first ever World Gaming Day in the ultimate challenge to help reach our fundraising targets and save the day!

Set to take place on Saturday 22 October (or choose any day you like in October), this is a chance for gamers and streamers to come together to game for good. Open not only to Mario Kart racers, Guitar Heroes and Ultimate Dance superstars but also first-time players and new gamers, it’s FREE to take part and there’s no minimum sponsorship required.

Participants can get involved by hosting their own gaming party - an energised version of the traditional charity coffee morning - or by holding a tournament with family, friends or colleagues. For streamers, a gaming marathon or a 24 hour stream is the ideal activity to bring together the online gaming community to raise as much money as possible.

Register for FREE today!

Super Bario, Glasgow’s first arcade bar, have announced their support for the specialist charity by signing up to take part. On World Gaming Day and for the full week after, the King Street bar will be rustling up specialist cocktails with proceeds going towards SBH Scotland, as well as positioning collection boxes around the bar to encourage donations.

Chloe Magee, General Manager at Super Bario said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with SBH Scotland for the first ever World Gaming Day.

“Our goal when we opened Super Bario was to put the social aspect back into gaming so the opportunity to be involved in a charity event that encourages friends to get together and game for good, was a no-brainer.

“We hope to see lots of our regulars as well as new gamers come along on World Gaming Day to show their support for such a fantastic cause.”

All proceeds raised by those who sign up will go directly towards providing personalised support to thousands of children, young people and adults across Scotland affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.

Deborah Roe, Director of Fundraising, for SBH Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing our participation in the first ever World Gaming Day, and as one of the only Scottish charities taking part, we’re calling on Glasgow gamers to get involved and play their favourite games for charity.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to get together with their family, friends and work colleagues to have fun and every £1 raised will go a long way in making a positive difference to the lives of thousands of families.

“Once you’ve registered, you’ll have access to a free range of printables and party decorations to jazz up your event and for anyone who raises more than £50 or over, you’ll get a free bobble hat thanks to the team at Big Bobble Hats.

“We’re thrilled also to be partnering with Super Bario and we hope their generosity inspires more Glasgow gamers to join in the fun, all in aid of SBH Scotland.”

Register for FREE today!

To find out more about World Gaming Day and how you get involved to support SBH Scotland please email.

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