Friday September 1st 2023
From left to right: Rob Jahoda, Chantelle McLachlan, Christopher, Margaret Robertson, Lillian. (Christopher and Lillian are both supported by St Joseph’s).
Four staff members are gearing up to take on a variety of tough challenges for St Joseph’s, a Rosewell-based charity that has provided person-centred care for adults with learning disabilities for almost 100 years.
Chantelle McLachlan, Margaret Robertson, Kitty Yeung and Angela Carlyle are employees at St Joseph’s and will soon be going out of their comfort zones to mark the charity’s upcoming centenary and help raise money for a new fully accessible hub.
Support Workers Chantelle, 19, and Margaret, 56, are preparing to plunge 10,000 ft in a tandem skydive on September 10, which has been generously sponsored by local company Scotia Security.
Chantelle has worked at St Joseph’s for two years and says she has always wanted to do a parachute jump and saw the centenary as a great opportunity to raise funds:
“I would like to thank Scotia Security for sponsoring us. I am excited and a little scared, but looking forward to this,” Chantelle said.
Margaret, who has worked for St Joseph’s for just over five years, says: “Since I’ve always wanted to do a skydive I thought this would be a perfect way to raise money for St Joseph’s.”
Fellow Support Worker 39-year-old Kitty Yeung is set to take part in Edinburgh’s Mighty Stride Kiltwalk on September 17th, which takes kilt-wearing walkers on a 21-mile route around the capital in aid of their chosen charity.
Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Pastoral Coordinator, 63-year-old Angela Carlyle, is tackling the Camino Finisterre in a week-long sponsored pilgrimage. The historic Finisterre route derives from the Latin words finis terrae, meaning ‘end of the earth’, and will see Angela cover 84 miles from Santiago to Finisterre, and then on to Muxia.
The funds raised from the challenges will go towards building a new extension at St Joseph’s, which will convert an existing derelict garage into a brand-new hub for people with learning disabilities in the community. The new build will offer accommodation for families as well as supported employment with fully accessible facilities.
CEO of St Joseph’s, Rob Jahoda, said: “As we begin to look towards our centenary, we want to make it a special and memorable occasion for all of the people we support, our staff and the community as a whole.
“The fantastic fundraising efforts will ensure that we are able to make 2024 a huge success and will also serve to support our primary activities, supporting adults with a learning disability to live independently in their own home as active members of the community.”
Founded in January 1924 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, St Joseph’s has supported hundreds people with learning disabilities. The charity will be commemorating its 100-year milestone with a centenary party at the O2 Academy in May 2024.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so HERE.
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