Glasgow, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/22/2010 -- Scottish celebrities from business, sport, politics and television have started a ’40 Day Challenge’ today to raise money to combat global poverty.

The 40 Day Challenge is part of SCIAF’s WEE BOX, BIG Change Lent campaign, Scotland’s largest annual fundraising campaign to provide practical support to people living in extreme poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The celebrities, together with thousands of Scots will give something up for the 40 days of Lent, put the money they save in their own small fundraising box (the WEE BOX), and donate the proceeds to SCIAF at the end of Lent on the 1st April. Last year the campaign raised over £900,000.

Scotland’s famous faces, including businesswoman Michelle Mone, football legend Ally McCoist, Miss Scotland Katherine Brown, Taggart’s John Michie, First Minister Alex Salmond, The Proclaimers, actor Gerard Kelly and TV personality Jackie Brambles, have all agreed to give up treats such as wine, desserts, sports drinks and takeaways.

40 x crisps = seeds for four families
40 x cans of juice = a goat
40 x cakes = affordable medicines for 70 people
40 x cappuccinos = safe water for 10 families
40 x chocolate bars = a community fish farm
40 x glass of wine / beer = training and equipment for two midwives.

Speaking at the launch event in Glasgow today, SCIAF Chief Executive Paul Chitnis said:

“One billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. In Ethiopia alone, 6.2 million people are in need of emergency aid following droughts and crop failure last year. Millions more are affected by war, natural disasters and HIV and AIDS. SCIAF is working in all these areas, providing practical support to help poor communities work their way out of poverty and become self-sufficient.

“It is fantastic to have the generous support of so many famous Scots. Together with thousands of people around the country, they are making a small change to their own lives during Lent which will make a huge difference to communities living in extreme poverty.”

Scottish businesswoman Michelle Mone attended today’s launch at SCIAF’s headquarters in Glasgow where she met SCIAF partners from Ethiopia, staff and supporters who are also taking part in the challenge.

Michelle Mone said:
“SCIAF gives some of the poorest people in the world the urgent and practical help they need to escape from extreme poverty. I’m taking part in the 40 Day Challenge by giving up wine during Lent as I know the money raised will make a big difference to those in need.”

The Proclaimers’ Charlie and Craig Reid said:
“SCIAF is a fantastic Scottish charity which works with some of the poorest people in the world to help them work their way out of poverty and overcome difficulties we can only imagine. We’ll be taking part in the 40 Day Challenge by giving up red wine and desserts this Lent. You should too.”

Taggart actor John Michie has committed to giving up whisky and said:
“I’m taking part in SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge by giving up whisky this Lent so that people living in poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America can get the urgent help they need. SCIAF works tirelessly all year round to help some of the poorest people in the world. I want to do my bit to help.”

Miss Scotland Katherine Brown, also recently crowned Miss UK, is foregoing takeaways so she can join the challenge. Katherine said:
“I know every penny raised will make a real and positive difference to the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. SCIAF’s work brings hope where there is hardship. I’m taking part in SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge by giving up takeaways for Lent so people in developing countries can get the practical help they need to work their way out of poverty.”

Ally McCoist will be joining thousands of Scots from all walks of life to take part in the campaign. He said
“I’ve always liked to achieve the tough targets I set for myself. That’s why I’m going to do a 24-hour fast during Lent this year. I know the money I save and donate to SCIAF will provide direct and practical support to people living in poverty who face hunger every day of the year.”

First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“I am pleased to sign up to SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge again this year. This Scottish charity is working to help hundreds of thousands of people in developing countries escape from extreme poverty and build better lives. I have pledged to give up wine for Lent to raise money to support SCIAF’s campaign. I love a glass of red wine and I understand it has reported health benefits. However, I suggest abstaining for Lent won’t do my weight any harm! We can all make small changes which make a big difference to the lives of others.”

Loose Women television presenter, Jackie Brambles said:
“SCIAF’s WEE BOX, BIG Change campaign provides practical support to people in some of the poorest countries in the world, such as school books for children, seeds and tools for farmers, and skills training for people without an income. SCIAF helps people living in poverty to improve their lives and to be independent. I’m doing SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge and giving up crisps and snacks for Lent so I can play my part in helping people in need.”
Peter Grant, Celtic FC coach, said:

“SCIAF is a Scottish aid agency that’s working with poor communities in developing countries like Ethiopia, Zambia and Uganda so they can escape extreme poverty and have a brighter future. This year I’m joining SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge by giving up chocolate for Lent. We can all make small changes which make a big difference to others.”

Gerard Kelly said:
“I’m totally addicted to Lucozade so have vowed to give it up for Lent to help SCIAF raise money for the fantastic work they do combating poverty and injustice in some of the poorest countries in the world. Taking part in SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge is my way of supporting people in developing countries who face grinding poverty every day.”

Rap band N-Dubz said:
“Global poverty and hunger can be overcome. You can make a difference. SCIAF is helping some of the poorest people in the world stand up on their own two feet and live with dignity.”

Romeo, Clyde 1 In Demand presenter said:
“Hundreds of millions of men, women and children around the world go hungry every day. SCIAF is working with communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America so they don’t have to. By taking part in SCIAF’s 40 Day Challenge and giving up crisps for Lent I’m making a small change to my life so they can help those most in need.”

Adele Cunningham, Clyde 1 breakfast show presenter said:
The SCIAF 40 Day Challenge is a fantastic way that we can all make a small change in our lives which will have a big impact on the people living in poverty in developing countries. By giving up crisps or chocolate for the 40 days of Lent, the money you save and donate to SCIAF can help to provide a supply of clean water to ten families. I&aposm giving up tomato ketchup so I can help. What are you giving up?

Members of the public who wish to take part in the 40 Day Challenge, receive their own free WEE BOX, or find out more about SCIAF and the WEE BOX, BIG Change campaign can visit http://theweebox.org or call 0141 354 5555.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-38738.htm

DONATIONS CONTINUE TO FLOOD IN - Donate now at www.sciaf.org.uk or 0800 0279 005

Glasgow, Scotland-- (SBWIRE) -- 01/21/2010 -- Soap stars Libby McArthur and Sally Howitt joined forces with Scotland’s aid agency, SCIAF to help survivors of the Haiti earthquake, today.

The pair, who star in River City, joined staff at SCIAF’s Glasgow office to answer calls from members of the public wishing to make donations to the emergency appeal and open mail.

Libby said: “We’ve come to help answer the phones and open the mail at SCIAF today because what has happened in Haiti is terrible and we want to help out in any way we can. The response to SCIAF’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal has been fantastic. Calls, online donations and post are coming in from all over Scotland to help the survivors of this terrible disaster. The Scots are always so generous but I’d urge everyone to continue giving whatever they can.”

Generous people from across Scotland have donated almost £250,000 to SCIAF’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal so far. Just this morning the charity received over £78,800 but more money is urgently needed for the ongoing rescue mission.

Sally added: “When something awful like this happens you might think that there is nothing you can do to help. But by supporting charities like SCIAF you really can make a difference. It is good to know that a Scottish agency is directly involved in helping to get relief to the many thousands of people in urgent need.”

SCIAF is working with Caritas Internationalis – the global network of development charities – to ensure that emergency aid is reaching people on the ground. This includes: food, water, hygiene kits, 200,000 blankets, 15,000 tents, water cans and water purification tablets, medicine and fuel. Specialist staff and further aid is on the way. Two mobile operating theatres and six mobile clinics have also been set up.

Caritas rescue teams pulled three survivors from the rubble on Saturday, five days after the disaster. Twenty trucks of Caritas aid arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday and a team of hundreds of volunteers are distributing aid.

SCIAF’s Chief executive Paul Chitnis said: “I would really like to thank Libby and Sally for coming along today and offering their support. We have seen an incredible response from people across Scotland in the wake of this terrible disaster. These vital funds will ensure aid continues to get to those in need so that they can survive, recover and rebuild. I would to appeal to the public to keep doing whatever they can to help agencies such as SCIAF so that we can continue to deliver emergency aid and support Haiti’s long term recovery.”

To donate to SCIAF’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal, visit http://www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0800 0279 005.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-36933.htm

Glasgow, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/10/2009 -- SCIAF is urging Scots to buy Real Gifts for family and friends this Christmas and make a real difference to communities living in poverty around the world.

Last Christmas, shoppers from across Scotland raised over £252,000 with SCIAF Real Gifts and gave some of the world’s poorest people the tools, training, and support they needed to create a better life for themselves and their families.

When you buy a Real Gift, the money you spend goes directly to a SCIAF project in Africa, Asia or Latin America which provides your chosen gift. The new range of festive Real Gifts is packed with life-changing presents including seeds (£10), which enable families to grow enough food, basket weaving (£19) which gives women with the skills and equipment they need to earn a living by making and selling baskets, and training for a midwife (£70) who will go on to save lives.

This year, shoppers will not only get a beautiful card with each SCIAF Real Gift they buy, they will also receive a specially designed fridge magnet to remind them of the difference their Real Gift is making.

SCIAF’s Frances Rayner said: “Real Gifts make great presents because they allow you to share something extraordinary with the people you love. Instead of exchanging socks or book tokens this Christmas, you could give a gift that helps to change lives – like chickens, essential medicines or water for an entire village!

“By choosing a SCIAF Real Gift, you bring real and lasting change to a family or community living in poverty and give them the chance of a better future.”

Across Africa, Asia and Latin America, many thousands of children are denied an education because their parents can’t afford the basic items they need to attend school. SCIAF’s star gift this Christmas is a school starter pack. For just £26, you can share the gift of education and provide a child with everything they need to go to school, including books, stationery, a school bag – even a uniform.

Thanks to the practical support she received from SCIAF, Spes from Burundi was able to gain an education and fulfil her potential. She is now a teacher and is sharing her gift with a new generation of children.

For as little as £10, Scots can do something amazing this Christmas and help someone living in poverty to create a better life for themselves and their family.

Shoppers can also make a general donation to SCIAF in someone’s name and receive a gift card and magnet in return.

Order your Real Gifts online now at http://www.sciaf2.org.uk/realgifts or call 0141 354 5555 to get your copy of the Real Gifts Christmas catalogue.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/sbwire-35098.htm