Latest news with #ChestHeart&StrokeScotland
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Scottish landmark to open its doors for exciting first-of-its-kind tour
Some lucky guests will get the chance to win an amazing experience FINGERS CROSSED Iconic Scottish landmark to open its doors for exciting first-of-its-kind tour Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS will be able to get a one-of-a-kind tour of one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Punters will be able to get an inside look of the Queensferry Crossing later this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Queensferry Crossing will be opening its doors to the public Credit: AFP 4 Punters will get to see parts of the bridge normally closed off Credit: Alamy 4 The tours will be over one day Credit: Getty The bridge is the newest of the Forth Road Bridges and connects Edinburgh to Fife across the Firth of Forth. It was completed in August 2017 and is used by 80,000 drivers every single day. But there are parts of the UK's tallest bridge completely unknown to the public, but they will soon get a chance to find out about them. BEAR Scotland, the firm operating the bridge, are offering free guided tours as part of their Doors Open Day. Staff will be taking members of the public around the area they normally don;t get access to. The tours will be visiting parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including inside the the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge's cable stays are anchored. All of the tours will last 90 minutes and will be held on September 27. But people wanting to go will need to be quick as there are only 180 spaces available. They will be given out through a random ballot which will open later this month. The ballot will be shared on the Forth Bridges and South East trunk roads X accounts. Everyone who attends will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for one of five trips for two to the top of the Queensferry Crossing's main towers. Despite the free price tag, anyone who gets onto one of the tours has been asked to donate to the BEAR Scotland's partner charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East Bridges Manager, said: 'For the past three years we've held successful Doors Open Day events at the Forth Road Bridge, and this year we want to offer a similar opportunity for members of the public to get behind the scenes at the Queensferry Crossing. 'The tours will give people an unprecedented chance to see the bridge up close in areas normally inaccessible to the public, and to learn from the engineers who manage and maintain this iconic structure. 'Last year's Forth Road Bridge Doors Open Day attracted over 12,000 applications, and we expect a similar level of demand for this event. 'Hopefully we can raise lots of money for a great cause in Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland."
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Queensferry Crossing open day 2025: How to be in with a chance to get tickets
Residents can be in with a chance of seeing a South Queensferry landmark like never before this year as part of Doors Open Days 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In September, 180 lucky people will be able to enjoy free guided tours of the interior of the Queensferry Crossing deck - the first event of its kind on the UK's tallest bridge. Tickets are expected to be released later this month, but residents are up against steep competition, with last year's Forth Road Bridge open day event attracting over 12,000 applicants. A total of 180 places will be available, allocated via a random ballot which will open later this month. Members of the public are encouraged to follow @setrunkroads and @theforthbridges on X to be first in line when the ballot opens. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Guided tours of the Queensferry Crossing will depart every 20 minutes on 27 September Hosted by Transport Scotland's operating company BEAR Scotland, the 90-minute tours will allow visitors to see parts parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including the interior of the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge's cable stays are anchored. Commentary will be provided by experienced staff members and everyone who attends will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for one of five trips for two to the top of the Queensferry Crossing's main towers. There will be no charge for the tours, however donations to charity will be welcomed with all proceeds going to BEAR Scotland's national charity partner Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East bridges manager, said: 'For the past three years we've held successful Doors Open Day events at the Forth Road Bridge, and this year we want to offer a similar opportunity for members of the public to get behind the scenes at the Queensferry Crossing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The tours will give people an unprecedented chance to see the bridge up close in areas normally inaccessible to the public, and to learn from the engineers who manage and maintain this iconic structure. 'Last year's Forth Road Bridge Doors Open Day attracted over 12,000 applications, and we expect a similar level of demand for this event. Hopefully we can raise lots of money for a great cause in Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.'
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'I was left unable to communicate at 49', Scots paramedic opens up on speech disorder after suffering stroke
Richard Fisher is an air ambulance paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service and has seen his fair share of medical emergencies - but a stroke he suffered in April last year has left him with a communication disorder. A rural Stirling dad has shared his experience of living with a communication disorder after suffering a stroke last year. Richard Fisher, an air ambulance paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service, was left with the language disorder aphasia following a stroke he had in April last year. Following this, he took part in the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) aphasia self-management course at the Bellfield Centre, in Stirling. In more than two decades as a paramedic, Richard has seen his fair share of medical emergencies, but he admits his knowledge of stroke rehabilitation was limited. When it comes to aphasia – a language disorder often affecting stroke victims – Richard admits his knowledge was even more scarce. Over the past year, the 49-year-old has become all too familiar with both conditions after suffering a stroke during an overnight stay in London. Richard stated: "I knew enough about stroke to get someone to A&E as safely as possible. And over the years, I've responded to a lot of calls for people who have had a stroke. But aphasia is not something we learned about when I joined the ambulance service. "I knew nothing about it until it happened to me. Then I felt as though I'd been cut off from the world because I couldn't communicate the way I used to." Aphasia can impact speech production, understanding of speech, reading, writing and using numbers. People suffering from aphasia may exhibit a spectrum of symptoms, with some experiencing one or more, and others dealing with the full range; the extent of impairment can also vary significantly from person-to-person. After speech and language therapy at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, in Larbert, Richard was referred to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to take part in the charity's aphasia self-management course, designed to give stroke survivors the information and resources to help manage the condition themselves. For Richard, the course was beneficial in helping him understand the condition. It also gave him the opportunity to use his skills to help others find solutions to their communication difficulties. His wife Mo recalled: "The facilitators set up a WhatsApp group with everyone who was on the course, and they text each other regularly. "But one of the men said he couldn't text anymore because of aphasia, and he was missing that type of chat with his pals. Richard showed him how to do a voice recording and send that instead, and now a few of them are using that to message people every day." Mo added: "Those are the sorts of helpful hints that you don't realise are useful until you're with people who can't do what they used to do. The course was so helpful for Richard, who also has dyslexia – the aphasia seems to have supercharged that." Richard's career as an air ambulance paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service has seen him featured on the first series of the Channel 4 show 'Rescue: Extreme Medics'. Since suffering a stroke, he has not been able to resume work, but is looking forward to a phased return set for early next month. Although he's eager to rejoin his flying squad, Richard is appreciative of being able to continue contributing to the ambulance service. He remarked: "I need to get back to what is normal. I'm not yet 50. I've got a lot of working years ahead of me before I retire. "The ambulance service is giving me a talk-to-text tablet that will hopefully deal with any communication issues I face. I can struggle when I'm speaking and people rush to fill the gap, and that's frustrating, so my colleagues will be getting an email telling them to let me finish speaking! "I didn't know what aphasia was until I got it. In the self management group, we spent a lot of time laughing about the things we struggle with or ended up saying. We were all in the same boat, so it was good to be able to laugh at ourselves." The CHSS aphasia self-management course aims to inform about aphasia and concentrates on helping people manage difficulties related to communication and other effects of stroke, such as fatigue, stress, and emotional health. The charity's long-term aim is centred around encouraging self-management by creating resources to help those living with conditions relating to the chest, heart, stroke, or Long Covid to comprehend their condition and pursue the most fulfilling life achievable. Jackie Slater, CHSS's Aphasia Development Manager, said: "Living with a communication difficulty, such as aphasia, following stroke can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation and loneliness and have a negative impact on mental health. "That's why CHSS works to provide relevant health information to people living with our conditions, while connecting them to other service users so that they can share experiences and develop skills and confidence. "Our supported self management course, Living Well with Aphasia, gives stroke survivors the information and resources to help them manage their condition. "The feedback we've received from participants has been very positive. The course is a supportive, accessible and welcoming environment for people with aphasia, which is vital. It's amazing to see the positive impact it can have on those taking part. Our aim is to make the course accessible across Scotland." Anyone affected by aphasia can also contact CHSS's Advice Line on 0808 801 0899, email adviceline@ or text ADVICE to 66777.
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Dumbarton man laces up for Glasgow 10k in memory of his dad
Colin Critchley took on the race at the weekend in memory of his dad Graeme - all in the aid of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland Dumbarton man laced up his running shoes and tackled the Glasgow 10k race in honour of his dad. Colin Critchley took on the race at the weekend in memory of his dad Graeme – all in the aid of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. When Colin started the Glasgow 10K on Sunday, he was joined by friends to encourage him along the route. But the memory of his dad was also with him every step of the way. The supermarket area manager lost his dad in December last year to a stroke and wanted to do something to honour the 70-year-old. Colin, 41, said: 'My dad was a pretty healthy guy, he golfed three times a week. 'There was no real warning before his stroke and he was in hospital for roughly three weeks before he died. It was really, really tough. 'At New Year I heard the advert for the Glasgow 10K taking place on Father's Day so I thought that would be quite fitting to raise some money for a charity. When I looked into it, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland seemed like the perfect choice to after what happened to my dad. 'I've roped in a couple of friends to get me around because I don't like running, I actually despise it! 'But if I've been having a bad run in my training what keeps me going is the thought that my dad is with me all the way which is comforting and sad.' Graeme began suffering from a headache the day before he had his sudden stroke but there were no other warning signs. Colin said: 'He wasn't the type to go to the doctors with any aches and pains. 'I knew things were bad when my mum said he was in an ambulance. He was in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and they said it was a stroke. 'He wasn't that bad at that point as he was still able to talk and walk with a walking aid. It was a couple of days later he lost his speech and the feeling down his right side. It transpired he had a second stroke. 'He must've been in for roughly three weeks. There were signs of improvement and then he would be sleeping all the time and it was really hard to watch to be honest. It was tough.' Aimee Russell, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Community Events and Corporate Fundraiser, said: 'We are so grateful to Colin for choosing to support CHSS and wish him all the best for Sunday's run. 'Everyone has a reason for their fundraising and Colin's story is a really powerful one. Money raised by generous people like Colin help us to support the 1 in 5 people across Scotland living with a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid to live their lives fully.' So far, Colin has raised more than £5,500. To support Colin's fundraiser, click here. If you're living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
World's largest walking football tournament held in Glasgow
More than 900 players from 92 teams took part in the Walking Football Scottish Cup and Festival on Saturday, June 7, held at Glasgow Green Football Centre. The event, organized by Walking Football Scotland and sponsored by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), brought together participants from across the country to compete in multiple categories. It attracted high-profile visitors, including former Scotland manager Craig Levein and ex-players Peter Grant, David Hopkin, and Dougie Imrie. Read more: Gala day featuring football match with Still Game star to take place in Glasgow MSP Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, was also in attendance. Gary Brewer, director of people and culture at CHSS, said: "It was amazing to see so many people come together and, once again, celebrate the Walking Football Scottish Cup and mark the world's largest one-day walking football event." The tournament is part of a two-year partnership between CHSS and Walking Football Scotland aimed at improving health outcomes for people over 50. Figures from Public Health Scotland have revealed that nearly 11,000 people in Scotland had a stroke last year. This remains one of Scotland's main causes of long-term disability. In addition, coronary heart disease remains Scotland's biggest killer, with 300,000 people in the country living with the condition. Activities, such as walking football, are designed to help people improve their physical activity and maintain a healthy heart. Walking football provides a gentler alternative to traditional football, helping participants stay active while reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Gary said: 'Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to supporting the one in five people across the country with our conditions. "One of the best ways we can do this is by improving health outcomes for people across Scotland and playing walking football is a great way of contributing to reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. "Walking Football Scotland can reach a vast number of players, and we have been able to offer support to clubs, players and their families. "It's great to see the popularity of the sport continuing to rise and we hope our partnership with Walking Football Scotland continues to grow from strength to strength as well." Read more: Billy Connolly, football and love: Book reveals what matters to Glaswegians Kenny McLean, president of Walking Football Scotland, said: "Walking Football Scotland continues to lead the way, not just in participation but in impact. "Breaking records and building communities — that's what this game is all about, and I couldn't be prouder of what we're achieving together. "This is our showcase event – a celebration of everything walking football represents. "But the real heart of the game lies in the hundreds who play week in, week out across Scotland. "A huge thank you to everyone who makes this movement so special." Winners on the day included Braehead FC in both the over-40s and over-50s women's categories, Saint Anthony's in the over-50s, and Pollok Utd in the over-60s and over-65s. Alloa Athletic took home the over-70s title, Glasgow Life won in the Parkinson's category, while the Universal Wanderers took home the Peter Collins Fair Play award.
