Charity chief goes extra 30 miles to support Helpline for older people

They say charity begins at home – so Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan is planning a 30-mile ultramarathon in his home and back garden to raise funds and awareness.

Mr Sloan has planned tomorrow’s (THURSDAY 16th APRIL) fundraising effort to support the Age Scotland 0800 12 44 222 Helpline, which has been inundated with thousands of calls from worried older people and their family members during the coronavirus crisis.

He hopes to raise awareness of the helpline which provides support, advice, and friendship to older people in Scotland, particularly those with no one else to turn to. He will be using a FitBit to count his steps as he walks around his Edinburgh house and back garden, as well as a daily walk outside.

Age Scotland launched an emergency fundraising appeal this month to help it answer ten times its usual volume of calls during the lockdown. Staff across the organisation have been drafted in to provide friendship calls to older people feeling lonely and isolated in their own homes.

Mr Sloan said: “Every day our Helpline advisors volunteers go the extra mile to help thousands of older people in Scotland who are feeling concerned, confused or isolated. I’m using my day off to walk 30 miles in my house and garden to help raise awareness of this vital service and hopefully contribute towards the cost of our valued friendship calls.

“Of course, I’m very fortunate to have a garden so I can get some exercise and fresh air. Many of the most vulnerable people in Scotland aren’t so lucky. I worry about the impact having to stay at home is having on tens of thousands of older people, especially those who already feel isolated and lonely.

“The Age Scotland Helpline is needed more than ever during this crisis. We’ve been taking calls from people panicking because they cannot get the groceries or medicine they need, or who haven’t spoken to another person for two weeks or more. We want to be there for every person who needs it, whether they want advice or just a reassuring and friendly chat.

“I would be grateful if people could share our helpline number with older people and support its work by donating to my JustGiving fundraiser. Anything you can spare will go to supporting more older people through this.”

Please support this work and Brian’s efforts by donating at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brian-sloan30

Age Scotland’s helpline is available for information, friendship and advice on 0800 12 44 222 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

The Age Scotland website hub for information and advice about coronavirus is at www.age.scot/coronavirus