The Edinburgh Reporter December 2019

4
NEWS
The Edinburgh Reporter
Police have a Christmas message
Edinburgh police have launched
their annual Christmas campaign,
Operation Winter City, which has
been running for several years.
It provides those who live, work
in and visit the capital during
Christmas and New Year, with
a range of information aimed
at preventing them from falling
victim to crime or coming to the
attention of police.
Edinburgh’s city centre will
become increasingly busier over
the coming weeks, with many
visiting the European Market,
shopping outlets and licensed
premises while celebrating the
holiday season.
Police have increased the
number of patrols in the city
centre during December and early
January.
To increase police visibility and
enhance engagement with the
public, a Mobile Command Vehicle
will be located at the junction of
Rose Street and Hannover Street
between 17 November and 4
January.
Members of the public in the city
centre are welcome to attend at
these vehicles to report a crime, or
to obtain advice and guidance on
personal safety, home security and
crime prevention.
Inspector David Brady from the
City Centre Policing Team said:
“Edinburgh is undoubtedly one
of the best cities in the world to
celebrate Christmas and New Year
in and Operation Winter City helps
us keep the Capital a wonderful
place to stay in, as well as to visit
during the festive period.
“We will have increased
high-visibility patrols throughout
the city and these officers will be
on hand to provide the public with
any assistance they require, while
also looking out for any matters
that require police attention.
Rotary Supports Imaginate charity
In October the Currie Balerno
Rotary Club invited Molly Goyer
Gorman of Imaginate to receive a
contribution towards an Edinburgh
initiative.
Imaginate is an Edinburgh based
charity which promotes and
develops theatre and dance for
children and young people across
Scotland. Molly is Imaginate’s
Fundraising Manager and the
Club’s donation helped with the
cost of a canal trip for 60 pupils
from Canal View Primary School in
Wester Hailes.
This is part of a 3-year project
involving 6 primary schools based
in the less advantaged areas of
Edinburgh. The project is called
Inspiring Schools-Immerse and
it seeks to develop creativity,
confidence and motivation for
learning.
The weather was kind for the
trip and the kids had a great time.
They walked for 15 minutes by
the canal to reach the boat for
the hour long trip, spending time
on and off the barge, learning
about the history of the canal and
barges. They were interested to
see everything from canoeists to
a kingfisher; and of course there
were snacks and drinks.
Project artists Hannah and
Caitlin accompanied the
young people and helped them
understand the local environment.
They organised games and
singing. Hannah said : “The boat
trip was a huge success. For
most of the children it was the
first time they had ever been on a
boat and to have the experience
of seeing the canal where they live
from the water was exciting. The
opportunity to connect the work
we have been doing with them
inside the school to nature and the
canal was inspiring and an integral
part of the project.”
Inspector David Brady at the mobile office in Castle Street as Police
Scotland launches their annual Christmas Policing Campaign.
PHOTO ©2019 Live Edinburgh News
“Our dedicated resources will
be doing everything they can
to keep the public safe, but our
communities have a vital role to
play in helping with this.
“Taking simple steps such
as looking after your personal
belongings when you’re in town,
planning your transportation for
nights out in advance, drinking
responsibly and ensuring your
home and any outbuildings are
appropriately secured, will help
prevent you from falling victim to
crime, or coming into contact with
A charity which teaches babies
and young children to swim held
swimming races to raise funds for
special care babies.
Turtle Tots Edinburgh and East
Lothian raised £11,246 for the
charity Simpsons Special Care
Babies taking their four year
fundraising total to over £20,000.
They held 102 duck races over
a week with swimmers aged 12
weeks to five years-old who all
raised money for the charity.
Many of them have had direct
contact with the neo natal unit
during their young lives.
the emergency services for any
reason.
“The information we will be
providing, both face to face, and
on our social media platforms is
not only easy to understand, but
very useful, so feel free to visit
our Mobile Command Units and
stay tuned to our Facebook and
Twitter pages for the Countdown
to Christmas calendar.
“On behalf of everyone at
Edinburgh Division, have a
wonderful and safe Christmas and
New Year.”
Duck races raise vital
funds
Director of Turtle Tots Edinburgh,
Karina commented: “Simpson’s
Special Care Babies has provided
vital support to many of our
swimmers, and personally to my
friends and family members. With
a current fundraising target of
£300,000, I was keen that through
Turtle Tots, we could help get
them a step nearer to that target.
“I’m completely overwhelmed by
the enthusiasm and generosity
shown by these families. Every
single one of our little swimmers
has embraced the challenge
and have had loads of fun in the
process. It’s amazing the funds
that can be raised when you all
pull together.”
Jed Heeps 10 months old
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