Edinburgh care home donates £500 to local charity

A care home in Edinburgh has made a generous donation to a waterway society and charity.

As part of its commitment to the surrounding community, Care UK’s Cairdean House in Colinton has presented Seagull Trust Cruises with £500. 

The volunteer-led charity helps to alleviate loneliness and isolation often experienced by older people living alone by offering free canal boat trips to those with additional needs.

The donation will support the organisation in continuing its vital operations, enabling it to provide fully accessible, inclusive and relaxing trips on various Scottish canals to even more people.

Carole McLellan, Member of the Board of Directors at the Seagull Trust Cruises, said: “Seagull Trust Cruises is nearly 50 years old and relies on donations to keep us afloat, last year providing more than 600 trips carrying nearly 6000 passengers.

“This generous donation from Cairdean House is greatly appreciated and supports the work of the Ratho branch in providing free canal cruising to those with additional support needs. Our accessible canal trips aim to bring enjoyment and a sense of freedom to people with additional needs. All our members are unpaid volunteers, so every penny goes directly to keep the boats on the water and help us fund a new boat to replace Mackay Seagull, now 40 years old.”

Angela Burns, Home Manager at the Redford Road care home, added: “Seagull Trust Cruises holds a special place in our hearts, so we’re thrilled to be supporting such a wonderful cause.

“We’ve seen first-hand how important this group is in reducing loneliness, especially for older members of the community. Every year, we take residents to the barge trips on the canal at Ratho – it brings them so much joy and their eyes light up as they experience the sights and wildlife.

“We hope this donation encourages the organisation to continue the valuable work it provides to the people of Edinburgh.”

Cairdean House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities, including a café, cinema and hair and beauty salon. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.