Cake and craft event raises vital funds for Gorgie City Farm

Ann-Marie Meikle, Scottish Rural Network Support Unit's Event Coordinator, tells us about a cake and craft event which raised £1,200 for the community-owned Gorgie City Farm.

Sunday 10 July was memorable not just for Andy Murray winning Wimbledon again, but more importantly, due to a fun, niche fundraising event that helped raise vital funds for Gorgie City Farm.

Gorgie City Farm is a little piece of the countryside right in the heart of Edinburgh providing education and experience to inner-city children and adults. It is a free-entry community-owned initiative that aims to promote social inclusion by providing volunteering opportunities for all.

Having supported the local community for 38 years, Gorgie City Farm works with over 100 volunteers every week through training, work experience, social opportunities and personal support.

Rising costs and a serious reduction in external funding has resulted in the City Farm asking its loyal visitors and supporters to help keep the Farm open.

My sister, Kerry Lindsell, benefitted greatly from her experience as a volunteer back in her teenage years and was more than willing to respond to this call for help, as were the rest of the family. We’ve all been active visitors to Gorgie City Farm and are acutely aware of the learning opportunities and fun experiences it provides, along with respite when the nieces and nephews are involved! 

As a professional artist, Kerry was able to use her creative skills, knowledge and experience to design an event revolving around arts, crafts, cakes and gin!  With views over Edinburgh Castle, around 80 visitors enjoyed complimentary gin cocktails whilst perusing art, craft and home-baking stalls (courtesy of mum) and bidding (rather competitively!) in the auction for prizes which included dinner packages and a hand-on giraffe experience.

Smashing her target, Kerry raised over £1,200 for the farm, contributing to a massive £100,000 raised in total by loyal supporters this year. This money will directly support the on-going running of the farm along with enhancing volunteering opportunities, all the while providing vital community benefits.

This is by no means the end as Gorgie City Farm needs on-going support in order to keep doing its job.  You can find out more about the Farm and how to donate on the Gorgie City Farm website and at http://www.everyclick.com/gorgiecityfarm.