Thistle Foundation brings Craigmillar community together this festive season.

On Thursday 8th December, we held our first in-person festive celebration since the start of the pandemic. The event raised around £1,150 (and counting) to provide vital support to people living with long term health conditions in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

Celebrations took place at our Centre of Wellbeing situated in the heart of the Craigmillar community. They included Santa arriving on a sleigh, performances by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus and a Christmas Fair featuring handmade crafts and home baking.

Thistle Foundation Chief Executive Mark Hoolahan said, “It’s fantastic to be able to have these festive celebrations face to face for the first time in three years, and to see the community in Craigmillar coming together once again at the Centre of Wellbeing.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Chorus for their memorable performances, and to Miss Midlothian for being part of our Christmas Fair event. Thank you too, to everyone who came along, donated and bought from the Christmas Fair. The money you have raised will go towards providing vital support to people living with long term health conditions.”

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s chorus performed twice at the festivities. Laura Baxter, Creative Learning Director at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra said, “The Scottish Chamber Orchestra was delighted to be part of the Thistle’s festive celebrations this year. Our Chorus members are in fine voice and were looking forward to their first ever performance in Craigmillar. The Orchestra is very much enjoying getting out and about across Craigmillar as part of our ongoing residency in the area and connecting with residents of all ages through music and song.” 

In Scotland, it is estimated that two million people are currently living with a long-term health condition¹, and 1 in 4 people with a mental health condition².

We support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions including: Parkinson’s ME, chronic pain and fatigue, mental health conditions and increasingly the long term impact of COVID-19 and the pandemic, to lead good lives and achieve what matters most to them.

See photos from the day over on our Facebook page. To find out more about how to support us visit: www.thistle.org.uk.