Month: June 2013

Help knockout Cancer this Summer!

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I am an avid fundraiser for local cancer charity Friends of ANCHOR.

Friends of ANCHOR is a Scottish registered charity that was formed in 1997 to raise funds on behalf of the ANCHOR unit in Aberdeen, and has a support area extending throughout the north east of Scotland including Orkney and Shetland. The Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiography (ANCHOR) unit is a fully funded NHS department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill that brings together experts and specialist nursing support to coordinate the care of patients with all forms of cancer, leukaemia and benign blood disorders such as haemophilia.

Friends of ANCHOR funds the purchase of non-NHS provided equipment for the ANCHOR unit and aims to provide additional care, comfort and support for ANCHOR patients. The charity also funds vital groundbreaking cancer research projects at the University of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Science, Foresterhill.

So the latest fundraising effort comes in the form of ANCHOR Wipeout!

goldshow02_thumb1The event will see over 350 participants battle it out at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen on Saturday, 24th August 2013 as they take on challenges to raise money for Friends of ANCHOR in a bid to help knockout cancer. The games consist of 12 individual stations using a combination of inflatables, wet/dry games, team-together and relay games, suitable for all levels of ability.

Teams of up to 10 people cost £200 and we’re asking each team to collectively raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship for Friends of ANCHOR. For every additional £100 raised by the team a bonus point will be awarded up to the maximum of 10.

There are sponsorship opportunities available for the event. For £500 an organisation will be given sole branding exposure at one of the 12 games areas. As a sponsor you get the exclusive and sole branding of one of the 12 game stations in Hazlehead Park as well as your logo on all the communications material for the event and social media activity in the lead up to 24th August, as well as 50% off team entry fee.

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Spectators and supporters will be welcome to watch ANCHOR Wipeout and there will be children’s entertainment, stalls, a raffle and face painting on the day to make it a memorable day out for everyone involved.

Importantly, every penny raised from the event will go directly to the ANCHOR Unit as all of our running and administration costs are covered by Balmoral Group.

So what you waiting for? Request your entry form today by emailing info@anchorwipeout.co.uk

ANCHOR Wipeout Poster

Find Friends of ANCHOR on Facebook or visit their website by clicking here.

ANCHOR Wipeout activity course is being supplied by It’s A Knockout – Knockout Challenge

Recipe: Skinny Coconut Meringues

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So this week at slimming club is a taster session.  Everyone brings in something they have made from Slimming World’s website or recipe books.  Having a really BIG sweet tooth I decided to attempt a pudding style treat.  I came across Coconut Macaroons – which I have aptly renamed skinny coconut meringues, as they are in fact nothing like macaroons 🙂

The recipe uses hardly any ingrediants, super quick to make and best bit of all they taster really really good, especially the chewy inside layer!  (for anyone following Slimming World plan, each meringue equates to 2 syns)

Ingredients:

  • 4 egg whites
  • 198g sugar
  • 71g coconut

Method:

  1. Beat the egg whites until frothy (make sure no yolk whatsoever has contaminated the whites otherwise you could be whisking forever!)
  2. Add the sugar and beat until stiff.
  3. Fold in the coconut, put mixture into a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe 30 macaroons onto a parchment covered baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated over (170ºC / 325ºF / Gas Mark 3)
  5. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the baking sheet
My finished attempt!

My finished attempt!

Recipe from the Slimming World Website

Review: Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative

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So part of my loose weight and get fit plan I decided to pull out my bike from the shed and get pedalling.  OK so its been in there for about 10 years and to say it was a a bit worse for wear is an understatement!!!

The hubby suggested going for a look at some new mountain bikes.  We have a few options in Aberdeen but we took a trip to Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative on George Street, Aberdeen.  Upon entering I was faced with a huge selection of bikes.

So where to start??  Thankfully their helpful staff could see I was in a dilemma on what to look at!  Who knew there were so many different types of bikes!!

After a bit of questioning it was decided that a mountain bike would suit my needs – don’t plan on doing much road cycling, prefer tracks, forest runs and so on.  The choice was getting easier – I was down to two bikes.  Being a girl I was going on looks and colour 🙂

So we found my new bike: an Revolution Ascent XC Disc ’13 – yeah I know how technical I sound!

How Pretty!! The Revolution Ascent XC Disc '13

How Pretty!! The Revolution Ascent XC Disc ’13

Revolution is Edinburgh Bicycle Coop’s own brand and ticks every box for my biking needs.  Best of all the shop currently has 15% off everything – meaning the bike is budget realistic and affordable.

Bad news I now have to wait until Friday to get my hands on my beautiful new bike.

As well as over 100 bikes, the shop also provides a good selection of cycle clothing and accessories.  They also have an in-store workshop for repairs and servicing.

I can’t recommend the shop and helpful staff enough, and look forward to going out for my first ride on my new bike.

Check out the store or visit http://www.edinburghbicycle.com