Latest news with #ScottishCatholicInternationalAidFund
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Albino Scots hypnotist backs SCIAF campaign to help Africans with condition
Fraser Penman is taking time out to back SCIAF's summer campaign to support people with disabilities. A Lanarkshire hypnotist described as 'Scotland's answer to Derren Brown' is using his experience of Albinism to help those affected by the condition in some of the poorest parts of the world. In the run up to his new headline show at the Edinburgh Fringe, mind reader Fraser Penman is taking time out to back SCIAF's summer campaign to support people with disabilities. In Scotland, one in 17,000 have Albinism, but in Malawi, where SCIAF works, it's one in 130. They may have been born more than 8,000 miles apart but Fraser and Baison Makolopa have more in common than you would think. Both hid from their genetic condition, albinism, and felt isolated from their communities. And both turned their lives - and fortunes - around to live life to the full. Fraser, 30, grew up in East Kilbride and still lives in the South Lanarkshire town. He was bullied at school when he was just eight-years-old 'because he was different', culminating in a violent gang attack when he was a teenager. Half a world away in southern Malawi, Baison Makolopa, 36, Baison has faced unimaginable challenges, even facing attempts on his life. He's one of almost 140,000 people in Malawi living with albinism – a condition that affects his vision and puts his skin at risk in the hot African sun. The brutal stigma around his condition almost cost Baison his life when attackers got into his home during the night. Fortunately, he escaped just in time before the intruders found him. Baison said: 'When I was attacked, I remember it was night-time, and I was sleeping. I heard people pushing open the door – there were people in my house! 'My house has two doors and so, by the time the attackers had got in, I was able to sneak out the other door. I was so scared and had many sleepless nights afterwards.' In Malawi, people with albinism can face extreme discrimination, isolation, and violence – and often extreme poverty. Harmful superstitions, like the belief that body parts from people with albinism bring luck, fuel violent attacks, leaving them vulnerable and afraid. Baison has found support in an unlikely place in Scotland. The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), through their local partner in Malawi, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), has provided skills training and grants to people like Baison, to help them develop their own business. This then enables people with albinism to earn a living and lift themselves out of poverty. They're also helping change attitudes in communities, working with people like Baison, the police, teachers, and leaders to fight stigma, prevent violence, and bring perpetrators to justice. Baison turned his life around after he first came into contact with SCIAF's partner, adding: 'They challenged us to believe in ourselves and encouraged us to start a business, so I started selling rice. Slowly, the business began to grow. Then I opened this shop.' Fraser says he's proud to support SCIAF's work with people with disabilities, including Albinism. He added: 'I love that SCIAF gives people the opportunity to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams by providing them with a pathway to unleash their imagination. 'I want to make a difference drawing on the struggles I had when I was younger. 'I am so proud to be associated with this campaign. SCIAF aligns with my mission in life which is to help anyone, no matter if they have a disability or not, to become the best version of themselves.' Donating to SCIAF's Dignity for All Appeal couldn't be simpler. It only takes a couple of minutes to donate at To give £5 you can text SCIAF to 70480 or to give £20 you can text SCIAF to 70450.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow football teams invited to take part in tournament
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund will host the inaugural SCIAF Shield in Glasgow this summer to raise funds to support its work in some of the world's most challenging environments. Ben Wilson, director of public engagement at SCIAF, said: "This is our first ever SCIAF Shield, so we're all very excited. "It will be a football tournament to raise money for the world's poorest people. "So get ready for a day of fun, football, and fundraising." Read more: Rangers hit with good news and bad news in Conor Coady pursuit Brendan Rodgers issues transfer update on Kwon, Palma, and Yang The tournament will be held on Saturday, August 30, at Goals on Pollokshaws Road, starting at noon. It will bring together 16 teams to compete in four groups of four, followed by knockout rounds to crown the ultimate champions of the SCIAF Shield. Entry costs £100 per team and includes at least one hour of football, lunch, and a welcome pack for each player. Teams can register up to eight players, and all skill levels are welcome. The event will also include music, a bouncy castle, face-painting, and other family-friendly activities. Ben added: "Everyone is welcome and it promises to be a great day, so why not join us?"
Glasgow Times
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Eight Glasgow SCIAF workers complete Edinburgh Marathon
Staff members from the Glasgow-based Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) braved the harsh weather to take on different 'legs' of the 26.2-mile course. The colleagues tackled the Royal leg, the Cock and Pan Leg, the Gosford Leg and the Glory Leg, which are 8.3 miles, 5.5 miles, 8 miles and 4.4 miles respectively. Read more: Former Glasgow football ground could become nationally important site Jennifer Adams, 53, from Cambuslang, ran the 4.4-mile 'Glory' leg, and her team finished the race in four hours and 13 minutes. The other SCIAF team completed the race in three hours and 54 minutes. Jennifer said: "I loved doing the Glory Run – I got the cheers from all the supporters on the streets for doing the least amount of miles! "It was an amazing day for all our colleagues – great atmosphere and camaraderie among us all, despite me getting absolutely pelted with hail and wind and rain two minutes into my run. "2026 – I'll watch from the street and cheer!" Jennifer Adams (Image: Supplied) One of the charity's main reasons for running the marathon was to contribute to the "Relay of Hope," a global movement designed to draw attention to the worldwide debt crisis. SCIAF are participating in the cause to call for the cancellation of crippling debts that trap countries in cycles of poverty. The team have create an online fundraising page to raise donations for the cause which is available here: SCIAF has spent nearly six decades helping people in the world's poorest places to escape poverty, protect their living conditions and aid disaster recovery. Read more: Immersive Tutankhamun exhibition to bring ancient Egypt to Glasgow this summer Ben Wilson, from Rutherglen, who ran the eight-mile Gosford Leg, said: 'I only ran eight miles. "Some kids in the countries we work in walk that distance just to get to and from school. "That's why the work that SCIAF does is so important, especially our campaign on debt this year. "Until countries can break free from the shackles of unjust global debt, they won't be able to fully break out of the cycles of poverty they're trapped in. "I really hope us running the marathon will encourage others to sign our petition and call on politicians to put people ahead of profit."
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Coatbridge dad tears muscle during his second Edinburgh marathon after breaking foot in first effort
But Lee Dornan, 36, would 'do it all over again' to benefit the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) charity. Lee Dornan could be forgiven for hating the Edinburgh marathon after breaking his foot during his first effort and tearing a muscle in his latest run - but says he would "do it all over again". The Coatbridge dad ran this year's event in five hours and 32 minutes for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) charity, for whom he works as an accountant. After completing the race, Lee said: "I have a wee muscle tear and my feet are in bits, but I am alive!" Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android For Lee this is an improvement on his 2023 Edinburgh Marathon effort, when he broke two bones in his feet and completed the run in bare feet. Lee, 36, who is married with three daughters, said: "At least once a year, do something you absolutely hate. You'll appreciate it, later. "I felt great until mile 16 and then it all fell apart. Slowly. "I ran the marathon in five hours and 32 minutes. I only managed 28 miles of training this year, so I am delighted with my time." Lee has visited Zambia and South Sudan in the course of his work with SCIAF for the past three years in the charity's Glasgow office. The marathon is also SCIAF's contribution towards the 'Relay of Hope,' a global moment when organisations around the world are taking actions to draw attention to the global debt crisis. SCIAF ran its "Relay of Hope" in Edinburgh, calling for cancellation of crippling debts which trap countries in cycles of poverty. Eight SCIAF staff, including Lee, ran on the day, many of whom were part of the relay teams. Lee added: 'It was nice running with my good friend Jonathan and young Thomas Everett, even though they abandoned me after 0.25 miles. "I always wear SCIAF gear when running. It just takes one set of eyes to see the SCIAF logo and the pain and hurt in my eyes and for them to go on the website and maybe support us. "I may have had my problems during the two marathons but I would do it all again next year to support SCIAF." The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund helps people in the world's poorest places to lift themselves out of poverty, work together to protect our common home, and help them recover from disaster. If you would like to support the SCIAF team, click on this link.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire charity staff set to put best foot forward at Edinburgh Marathon
SCIAF workers who live in Renfrewshire will each run different 'legs' of the 26.2-mile course on Sunday. Renfrewshire charity workers will be putting their best foot forward as they run the Edinburgh Marathon. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) staff who live across the area are set to take on the challenge this Sunday – having added their own twist. Catriona Elliott and Mark Adams, both from Bridge of Weir, and Paisley's Mari Everett, together with her son Thomas, will each run different 'legs' of the 26.2-mile course. These 'legs' – the Royal leg, The Cock and Pan Leg, the Gosford Leg and the Glory Leg – are 8.3 miles, 5.5 miles, eight miles and 4.4 miles respectively. Nine SCIAF staff in total will be running on the day. Mark, Catriona and Mari all work for SCIAF which helps people in the world's poorest places to lift themselves out of poverty, work together to protect their common home and help them recover from disaster. For almost six decades, SCIAF has reached out to global neighbours in need – irrespective of race, religion or background – sustained by the generosity and love of people in Scotland. The marathon is also SCIAF's contribution towards the 'Relay of Hope' which is a global moment at the end of May when organisations around the world are taking action to draw attention to the global debt crisis. SCIAF is running its Relay of Hope event in Edinburgh and calling for cancellation of crippling debts which trap countries in cycles of poverty. Mari, aged 56, told the Paisley Daily Express: 'I am so proud to be running for SCIAF. The memory that has stuck with me most from my first trip overseas with SCIAF was the distances that people walk in Malawi every day just to get to school, work or buy food at markets. 'The challenges that people living in remote communities face every day has motivated me on this challenge. I last ran nearly 10 years ago and didn't ever plan to do anything like this again. 'The encouragement of other SCIAF staff [runners and those supporting from the sidelines] has been crucial to me not only completing my training programme but actually enjoying it – most of the time!' Like Mari, 43-year-old Catriona will be running the 5.5-mile route. She said: 'I've worked at SCIAF for just over three years but SCIAF has been part of my life as long as I can remember. 'The Wee Box was a prominent feature in my house growing up. It's a privilege to work for SCIAF and to be surrounded by a group of dedicated and passionate colleagues. 'I'm excited to run together as a team for the Edinburgh marathon relay, raising awareness and funding for the incredible work SCIAF and our partners do overseas. 'It's been great fun training alongside and motivating each other and it's a bonus that I've had to get off the sofa and get fitter to hopefully do SCIAF proud on the day.' And Catriona went onto explain: 'My children Joshua and Iris have been my cheerleaders and personal trainers and my training plan has focused mainly on trying to keep up with them on their bikes.'
