MPs roll up sleeves for Barnardos

SEVERAL MPs and MSPs are set to leave their day jobs behind and take to the shop floor in a bid to encourage more people to volunteer for Barnardo's Scotland.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Mark Lazarowicz and Robin Harper are amongst the politicians who will be rolling up their sleeves and helping at shops across the Capital for Make a Difference Day.

On October 30 Mr MacAskill MSP will be based in the Portobello outlet.

Mr Lazarowicz, deputy shadow secretary of state for international development and MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, will be at Crichton Place on October 29 from 11.30am, while Sheila Gilmore MP, for Edinburgh East, will be at Nicholson Street on October 29 and David McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, will be at Westside Plaza on the same day.

Mr Harper, MSP for the Lothians, is due at the Clerk Street store on November 1.

Make a Difference Day runs this Saturday, but tens of thousands of would-be volunteers are poised to give up their time between October 23 and November 6 in support of local charities.