Humble approach to charity drive

IT'S all for charity among Scottish businesses this week, with a host of fundraising events, alongside new contracts being signed with the third sector.

Glasgow-based web hosting company Iomart has been chosen to host the website for Stuff Your Rucksack, a charity supported by Springwatch presenter Kate Humble, right.

The group helps publish a list of items that tourists can take to developing countries – such as books and pencils for schoolchildren in Sierra Leone or toys and clothes for slum children in India.

Iomart marketing director Phil Worms says: "Kate Humble's decision to widen the appeal of the website has generated a huge amount of interest from travellers across the globe."

Lending a practical hand this week have been ten members of staff from recruitment firm Michael Page International in Edinburgh.

The recruitment consultants will be able to add window dressing to their CVs after volunteering in Capability Scotland's shops in the capital.

Jamie Newman, managing director for Michael Page Scotland, says: "Getting involved gives us a huge amount of personal satisfaction and pride."

Three lawyers from HBJ Gateley Wareing are also raising money for charity tomorrow – but in a slightly less sedate fashion.

Kay Price, Caroline Brodie and Claudia Barron, from the law firm's construction team, will be taking part in a 165-foot abseil down the side of the Forth bridge.

The group is raising money for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. Price says: "This is indeed a terrifying challenge but is for a fantastic cause."

Technology company Amor Group kept its feet firmly on the ground by holding a fun day at Perth racecourse to raise money for charity Enable Scotland and celebrate its first birthday. Hundreds of staff from the firm's Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Coventry and Houston offices raised 1,250 and enjoyed activities including archery and a hog roast lunch, along with face painting and a bouncy castle.