The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest indoor shopping malls, which attracts around 55,000 shoppers a day, has launched an appeal for a new ‘Charity of the Year’ partner to support throughout 2019.
Charities over the years which have benefitted from the partnership, raising much-needed funds and awareness in the mall, include Team Jak Foundation, Bosom Buds and latterly, West Lothian Youth Foundation, (WLYF), who raised £5,233.84 last year at various events, including a three day ‘Pedal the Premiership’ cycling challenge and Power Shot football pop-up.
Funds were also raised at mall events, including the Mini Maker Lego® Bricks event at Easter where people turned up in their droves from across the country and a Christmas Silent Disco.
The charity promotes educational and health development in the West Lothian community through various football programmes for around 800 people, aged 2 to 92, every week.
To enable the charity to reach every part of the community various projects have been created to ensure sport and guidance on health and well-being is accessible and affordable to everyone.
The funds raised will go towards the running of its Fit4Life project for 16 to 24-year olds who face complex barriers in daily life when entering employment and undertaking education or training.
It is a free 12-week programme aimed at encouraging participants to engage in healthy lifestyle activities including football coaching sessions and qualifications, cycling events, health and fitness classes, weight management and cookery classes.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, said: “We are delighted that we were able to support West Lothian Youth Foundation during 2018, to help raise awareness of the great work they do in the community.
“Our thanks and appreciation go to all of our shoppers who dug deep at our events to donate money to WLYF and we wish them all the very best in the future.”
Andrew Cowan, Coordinator at West Lothian Youth Foundation, said: “On behalf of the West Lothian Youth Foundation I would like to thank The Centre, Livingston for appointing us as their Charity of the Year 2018. It was a fantastic opportunity that allowed us to raise awareness of the programmes we run in the local community, which we are immensely grateful for.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of their generous shoppers who came along to our fundraising events and helped us to raise much-needed funds which will enable us to continue to run our Fit4Life programme in 2019.”
Charities in the West Lothian area are being encouraged to send an email to enquiries@thecentrelivingston.com by 21 February 2019 stating why they should be chosen as the next Charity of the Year, which begins on 1 March 2019.
Photo Greg MacVean
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
