Join in the environmentally friendly fun

So many people forget old toys in a cupboard, pack them in the attic or, worse, throw them away, when kids grow up and grow out of once loved playthings.

But you could give old toys a new lease of life if you pass them on for a new generation to enjoy.

Pass it on Week is Scotland’s annual celebration of re-use – whether it’s swapping, donating, sharing or repairing to help make things last.

The next Pass it on Week will be held from March 7-15 and the theme will be “The Great Toy Rescue”.

Producing everything we buy, whether it is food, clothes, toys or electrical equipment, generates climate-warming gases and four fifths of Scotland’s carbon footprint is caused by the goods and materials that we produce and consume.

Passing on toys that are in good condition, or just need a little fixing up, benefits the environment.

It avoids the need to buy new and also diverts existing valuable materials from potentially ending up in landfill or incineration.

Passing on items such as a toy, can also help good causes and having a good clear-out reminds us what we really need instead of buying more.

Plus, sometimes, the old toys are the best. Ann Wilson, of Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, has kept many of the toys she bought for her own four children, now grown up, and she’s loved watching a new generation play with them again.

Many of her classic toys remain robust, despite being played with by two generations, including 10 grandchildren in total.

Now Zero Waste Scotland is urging everyone to rescue their old toys wherever they languish in your home and let a new generation love them again.

There are loads of ways to pass stuff on – donating, giving to a friend, even selling.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Every aspect of our lives touches on the climate emergency in some way.

“Conserving existing resources is one of the most powerful and easiest ways to make a difference.

“Passing on old toys is a great way to share happiness, plus buying and wasting less will protect the environment and reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint. Never think you are too small to make a difference.”

Vincent Friel, 47, was ja i led for three years after killing Charlotte Collins, 68, at a pedestrian crossing outside Glasgow’s Silverburn shopping centre and seriously injuring her relative, 69- year- old Margaret Haldane.

The property letting agent claimed Dr Iain Brown was negligent in prescribing him Tildiem – used to treat blood pressure – which caused him to blackout at the wheel and hit the two women.

Friel’s six-figure damages action was f irst thrown out 12 months ago by Lady Carmichael at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Last week, Friel’s appeal against her decision was rejected by three judges, including Scotland’s most senior judge Lord Carloway.

They ruled the jury had already rejected his claims against the doctor by f inding him gui lty of causing death and injury by dangerous driving.

In a published judgment, they added: “There ought not to be two conf licting court decisions. For these reasons, the court will dismiss the action.”

During his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2016,

Friel claimed he lost