Steptoit tohelp endoflife charity

End of life charity Marie Curie is calling on Monklands residents to step into spring by completing a daily 10,000-step challenge to show support for those impacted by death, dying and bereavement.

The organisation’s flagship fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal – which is reaching its 35th anniversary next month – has, for the first time, had to cancel public collections due to the pandemic.

The charity is facing a potential loss of more than £3 million due to this, but is hoping supporters will back the campaign by donning their trainers, getting out in the great outdoors every day and walking 10,000 steps.

All donations from the appeal will ensure that Marie Curie nurses, doctors and hospice staff can continue working on the frontline throughout the pandemic, caring for people at end of life in their two hospices and in people’s homes.

Visit mariecurie.org.uk/ daffodil or call 0800 304 7025 for more information.

Central Scotland MSP Richard Leonard has urged the people of Monklands to sign up for a postal vote ahead of the Holyrood election in May.

Voters will head to the polls to elect new Members of the Scottish Parliament on May 6, however residents will have the chance to vote early if they apply for a postal vote before 5pm on April 6.

Mr Leonard, Scottish Labour’s candidate for the Airdrie & Shotts constituency, is concerned that Covid-19 could lead to a lower turnout and a reluctance to vote in person.

He is, therefore, encouraging voters to apply for a postal vote to ensure that they can cast their ballot in the election.

Mr Leonard said: “Despite the current restrictions the election is still due to take place on May 6.

“The next parliament will be critical in determining how we save jobs and businesses coming out of the pandemic, how we restore education to those who have missed out, and how we can equip our NHS and its heroic

North Lanarkshire businesses are on course to save more than £18m on their energy bills with the support of a Scottish Government funded programme.

Small and medium-sized firms have been taking advantage of a free service run by Zero Waste Scotland to discover ways they can cut their energy use and reduce carbon emissions.

Marissa Lippiatt, the organisation’s head of resource efficiency, said: “It is pleasing to see so many businesses in North Lanarkshire deciding to take action to reduce their energy use.

“Not only does this add profit directly to their bottom line, but it also goes a long way towards helping Scotland meet its target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045.”

Businesses can apply for a loan of £1000 to £100,000 with a maximum cashback grant of £20,000 for eligible measures; visit www.energy. zerowastescotland.org.uk for more details.