Big charity talent show for uniformed workers

THEIR work clothes leave them vulnerable to anything from wolf-whistles to foul-mouthed abuse.

But now the uniformed employees of the Lothians have been offered the chance to swap aggression and embarrassment for the spotlight as part of a unique new talent contest.

Uniform’s Got Talent, which will take place at the end of April, will invite a range of uniformed workers – including firefighters, police officers, traffic wardens and nurses – to showcase whatever talent they have.

It is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the charity Riding for the Disabled, which wants to build a new indoor centre on the outskirts of the city to improve the environment for its youngsters.

It has been organised along with the charity by fitness instructor and horse enthusiast Angie Blackwell, whose animals are used by the charity based at Ravelrig, near the Pentlands.

She said: “It just came to me when I was trying to think of something a bit different for a fundraiser.

“I’ve done things like Stars in Their Eyes before, and I don’t think there’s really too much you can do with the X-Factor.

“So Britain’s Got Talent’s coming round and I thought, why not do it like that with a twist?”

Invitations are set to go out to emergency services and the Army through their internal internet systems, but Ms Blackwell said anyone whose job involved wearing a uniform would be welcome, provided they were prepared to wear it on the night.

The event will take place at the Danderhall Miners’ Club on April 21 and will be hosted by Radio Forth broadcaster Grant Stott.

“It would be really good to get some firemen in to get all the ladies going,” she added.

“But we’d need nurses, too, to balance it out. I don’t want it to just become a ladies’ night.

“I might have to hold auditions depending on how much interest I get from it.

“People seem to think it will be a fun idea and a good night out and, of course, we’d be able to raise money for the charity too. Folk always seem to get excited when uniforms are involved,”

The charity allows disabled children to spend time on horseback both for enjoyment and therapeutic reasons.

“But with the weather the way it is, if it’s horrible they don’t get to go out,” added Ms Blackwell. “That won’t be a problem if they get to build the indoor place.”