Scottish Spina Bifida Association :: Latest news

SSBA - A Positive Future Ahead

Clare Cogan Turner — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:42:00 +0100

SSBA Supporter takes on Ultra Marathon Challenge

Leigh — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:02:00 +0100

On 6^th April 2013 – Allan Conry, a supporter of the Association took part in what was a physically and mentally demanding 56 mile ultra marathon race from Glasgow to Edinburgh to raise funds for the Association.

Healthy Competition between Businesses Starts in Glasgow with the Inter Office Challenge

Clare Cogan Turner — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:42:00 +0100

The Scottish Spina Bifida Association have become the nominated charity for the Inter Office Sports Challenge run by Broomhill Camps. As the name suggests, this is an opportunity for Office Workers to compete against one another in a competitive and professionally organised inter sports league.

Get Moving Group Update

Clare Cogan Turner — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:08:00 +0100

Please note that the walk we had scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) has had to be CANCELLED as many of you are working. We will now take a walk on Sunday 5th May in Callendar Park Falkirk instead. Meet us at the front of Callender House at2PM. There is ample free parking available, but the disabled parking is not great.

Get Moving Group

Clare Cogan Turner — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:25:00 +0100

Kevin Hutton is one of the Community Ambassadors for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association and as part of his volunteer role with the Association he is organising a series of healthy activities for you, our service users to take part in. This group is called 'Get Moving'.

As part of the Get Moving Group, which is a special walk, roll and stroll group aimed at promoting health and wellbeing in all those affected by Spina Bifida and/or hydrocephalus, Kevin will be working with you, our service users on activities that you would like to take part in.

Dragon's Dare

Clare Cogan Turner — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:54:00 +0100

We've seen the Dragon's Den with brave entrepreneurs pitching their, sometimes sublime, sometimes ridiculous, business ideas. And we've enjoyed watching them being put through their paces by the Dragons. But have you ever thought you had what it takes to make a business idea come to life?

The Great Big Property Gig

Joanna — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:44:00 +0100

The Great Big Property Gig is being held at The Ferry, Glasgow on Thursday 13th June and all funds raised on the evening will go to the two nominated charities - Cancer Research UK and the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

The Scottish Spina Bifida Association would like to thank En Croute Catering Ltd as they have just become the latest sponsor for the Great Big Property Gig by providing refreshments on the night - we are thankful for their generous support!

This is the eighth year of the property gig and we're really looking forward to what's set to be another fantastic event.

Edinburgh Marathon Running Challenge

Joanna — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:06:00 +0000

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival takes place on 26th/27th May and your 2013 running challenge awaits you!

We need your support to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Why not take part in the marathon, half marathon or 10k and even get the kids involved in the junior 3k race.

Standard places for the Edinburgh Marathon have now closed but don't panic - we have GUARANTEED charity places available up until Monday 8th April 2013.

Known as the UK's fastest Marathon, the Edinburgh course is flat as a pancake, has a fantastic crowd atmosphere and allows you to take in the historic sites of Edinburgh! The SSBA runners will go a long way in helping to raise vital funds for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association so why not run for SSBA?

If you are looking for last minute places or know anyone who would want to take part then email leigh.burns@ssba.org.uk, call 01236 794508 or click this link.

For more information about fundraising remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Ladies who give an F* Lunch - Glasgow

Joanna — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:33:00 +0000

The Ladies who give an F* Lunch in Dundee was a success, having raised £5,000 for the Association. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who were involved in this fantastic day!

For those of you who missed the Dundee Ladies Lunch - you can still get tickets for the Glasgow Lunch - on Sunday 2nd June 2013 in The Radisson BLU Hotel, Glasgow.

Join us for another fabulous afternoon of live entertainment, fun and laughter as we raise vital funds for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association.

Ladies will be treated to a sparkling reception, mouth watering two course lunch, followed by fabulous games, prizes and surprises! Your ticket includes: a champagne reception, sumptuous two course lunch, raffle, auction, games and disco/live entertainment.

Don't Delay - Vote SSBA Today!

Joanna — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:01:00 +0000

Direct Debit Big Break and their supporters are giving to 100 charities and good causes this year and it's up to you to decide on who deserves a Big Break.

The Scottish Spina Bifida Association has been nominated for the chance to win!

The cause with the most votes at the end of this month will receive a £2,000 cash donation from Direct Debit. The runner up will recieve £1,000, and the next 20 will get £100 each.

Your continued support is vital and greatly appreciated as our fundraising team have to raise almost £1million per year to maintain our core services. Therefore we need YOU to vote for us and to give us a Big Break!

Please vote for us by clicking HERE, then click on Vote For This Cause. You can visit the Direct Debit website for more information.

Very importantly - you only have until 31st March to get your vote in, so don't delay, please vote today!

Meet Nika - Our Newest Ambassador

Joanna — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:35:00 +0000

The Scottish Spina Bifida Association is delighted to announce that Nika (born Nicola Cassells), is our newest Ambassador!

Nika is a modern classical singer who has supported the Association over the past few years by getting involved in as many ways as she can.

As well as many performances at Association events, the 23 year old modern classical singer from Ayr is now showing her support by getting involved with fundraising. She will be donating 5% of sales from her merchandise and album to the Association so the more people we encourage to support her, the better! We are extremely grateful for all she has done so far!

Peterhead Running Festival

Joanna — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:46:00 +0000

We are pleased to announce that the Peterhead Running Festival has chosen The Scottish Spina Bifida Association, as one of their nominated charities.

If you have been keeping up to date with the Association over the past couple of months, you will know about our Fitness 100 Club - We are looking for 100 people to take part in raising a minimum of £100 throughout the year by taking part in different sponsored activities whilst getting fit!

In order to kick start your Fitness 100 goal – why not get involved with the Peterhead Running Festival on 30th June at Catto Park Playing Fields and Running Tracks.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going…

Peterhead Half Marathon

ENVIROCENTRE – OUR NEW CORPORATE SUPPORTER

Joanna — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:29:00 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that Envirocentre has chosen the Scottish Spina Bifida Association (SSBA) as their nominated charity for 2013.

Support started off in December with a generous Christmas card donation and they have exciting plans to organise and take part in fundraising events during the course of the year.

Parcel Party!

Joanna — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:31:00 +0000

Congratulations, to Kristen Norquoy for organising a fundraising Parcel Party in aid of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association on Saturday 16th February and raising £1800.

Kristen says - "We had fabulous support from the Merkister Hotel in the form of free room hire and a yummy supper and Malcom Scott, from Orkney Auction Mart, who gave his free time to auction the vast number of parcels we had!

Maralyn's Story

Joanna — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:07:00 +0000

Team Sykes's Everest Base Camp Trek

Joanna — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:11:00 +0000

Overcoming the might of Mount Everest is one of the most demanding feats known to adventurers across the world. But that is exactly the challenge that climbers April and Richard Sykes have set themselves, all in aid of The Scottish Spina Bifida Association (SSBA).

The Scottish newlyweds, who will trek for 15 days from Lukla in Nepal to Everest Base Camp, decided to raise vital funds for SSBA after a family friend's baby was born with Spina Bifida. Richard and April have already raised a remarkable £2,715 and their fundraising efforts are not over yet.

Ahead of their challenge, we caught up with Richard to discuss the daunting trip and the barriers they will have to overcome in order to travel to Everest Base Camp.

Hi, Richard! Can you tell us a little more about your extraordinary journey?

April and I have both been into trekking for some time since we met in 2005. April took a bit of pushing at the start as she preferred high heels to hiking boots but she quickly got the bug! Three years ago we climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest free standing mountain in the world, which took us seven days.

Dundee Ladies who give an F* Lunch

Joanna — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:56:00 +0000

Ladies who give an F* Lunch is back for 2013 on Saturday 23rd February in The Apex City Quay Hotel, Dundee.

Join us for another fabulous afternoon of live entertainment, fun and laughter as we raise vital funds for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association in Dundee.

Ladies will be treated to a sparkling reception, mouth watering two course lunch, followed by fabulous games, prizes and surprises! Your ticket includes: A champagne reception, sumptuous two course lunch, Raffle, Auction, Games and disco/live entertainment.

Holiday and Insurance Tips from SSBA

Joanna — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:15:00 +0000

It's getting to that time of the year when many people start booking their summer holidays. The Scottish Spina Bifida Association have been receiving many calls on issues ranging from insurance to getting medical supplies abroad, so we thought it would be helpful to pull together a list of information which would be useful to consider when traveling abroad on holiday.

If you have a shunt, it is a good idea to carry a shunt alert card (available from SSBA) and have the contact details of your neurosurgeon, in case of emergency. This is so that your latest scans and shunt type can be accessed if a problem arose while you were away. Before you go - discuss your travel plans with your Consultant if you've had recent surgery.

Another tip is to shop around for travel insurance. Some companies accommodate pre-existing conditions whereas others may quote high premiums for medical needs. We have compiled a list of insurance companies who will insure travellers with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and shunts. These include - AllClear Travel and FISH Insurance. However, it is important to check that your insurance covers all of your specific conditions. Please let us know what companies you have found useful for covering your travel insurance needs.

Most mainland European and other mainstream destinations tend to have accessible Neurosurgical centres, which is reassuring in case of any shunt problems. However, if you are planning a more remote trip - check if there are appropriate medical facilities nearby.

Carrying medical supplies can bulk up your luggage so if you are going away for a longer holiday it might be worth considering using services such as World Assist which can have your supplies delivered to your destination. Also bear in mind that custom officers may not recognise your medical supplies and may query items in your hand luggage. To avoid any issues through customs it may be wise to carry a letter from your doctor explaining your need to carry supplies with you.

When booking your holiday it is worth checking out accessibility, and to ask for a detailed description of the accommodation to make sure it's appropriate for your needs. For example, some hotels advertising wheelchair accessible bathrooms have baths with a rail and low over-bath seat to transfer, whereas others have fully accessible wet rooms with a level access shower.

Finally, plan ahead so that everything is in place for a great holiday.

If you have any further queries - please contact SSBA Direct Services on 01236 794500 or use the lo-call helpline on 08459 11 11 12.

Burns Supper Raises £20, 000!

Joanna — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:05:00 +0000

Community Burns Supper Success!

Joanna — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:21:00 +0000

The Scottish Spina Bifida Association Community Burns Supper was a superb evening celebrating the very best of Burns while bringing the local community together.

Over 100 guests helped to raise £3,000 at this special Burns Supper held at The Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld.