Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Articles by Ross Thomson

2 articles found

Volunteers join Asda Toryglen staff to raise much-needed money for Tickled Pink campaign
Technology

Volunteers join Asda Toryglen staff to raise much-needed money for Tickled Pink campaign

Warm-hearted volunteers have joined forces with colleagues at Asda Toryglen to raise much-needed money for Tickled Pink. Members of four local community groups made 160 pink paper flowers to create a picture-perfect Tickled Pink wall, an Insta-worthy backdrop for the store’s latest Vintage Tea Party. In all, the flowers raised £320, while other fundraising efforts, including a colleague raffle run by Asda Toryglen Community Champion Elizabeth Arbuckle, brought the store’s total raised for Tickled Pink this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to £3,000 so far. Proceeds go directly to charity partners Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! to fund better treatments, education and life-changing support for everyone who needs it. Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign celebrates a major milestone this year as it hits an incredible £100 million raised since the initiative began in 1996. Elizabeth, who has been raising funds for Tickled Pink for 25 years, said this time round, she wanted to do something different. “I’ve done everything from cycle challenges in the foyer and climbing Ben Nevis to hosting bingo events and organising events for ladies who lunch,” she said. “But with this year being such a significant one for the campaign, I wanted to bring the local community right into the heart of what we’re doing.” Community groups LEAP Project, Elevenses at Toryglen Community Base, The Core and Re-Engage Rutherglen – which work regularly with Elizabeth in her role as Community Champion – helped make the flowers, with volunteers enjoying the results of their hard work at Tickled Pink themed Vintage Tea Party in the store’s canteen. Elizabeth said: “It was an absolutely lovely event, a special one for us all to remember. Tickled Pink is a campaign that everyone can get behind, and it was a joy to bring so many members of our community together for such a great cause. “A huge thanks to all our volunteers, you did us proud!” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .

Store director at Specsavers Wishaw celebrating two major career milestones
Technology

Store director at Specsavers Wishaw celebrating two major career milestones

A store director at Specsavers Wishaw is celebrating two major career milestones. Erin Riddell is marking 20 years with Specsavers and ten years caring for the eyesight of the local community in Wishaw. The optical director at the Main Street store received gifts, flowers and balloons from her team and customers to mark her decade-long stint as partner at the store. Erin began her optical career working for Specsavers in Motherwell as a part-time optical assistant whilst studying at university, before transferring to the Specsavers Livingston store in 2005. During her time in Livingston, Erin completed her Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) programme alongside carrying out eye examinations and health checks, before moving to Specsavers Wishaw in 2015 to become the store’s new partner. Reflecting on the past 10 years, Erin said: “So much has changed since I joined the store as partner and it’s been fantastic to see the Wishaw store and team grow from strength to strength. “We’re now able to provide audiology services, care for minor eye ailments with our IP qualified team members, and we even have an additional testing room and on-site laboratory to help our customers get their glasses quickly and professionally. “The best thing though, is being able to work with my fantastic team and our lovely customers. I enjoy being able to provide such an essential service for our community and I’m excited to continue playing that vital role for the people of Wishaw.” She added: “Every day is a learning experience so I’m looking forward to driving our team forward. I’d like to thank my business partner Laura Baird for all her support and hard work over the years, as well as my team, who go above and beyond every single day.” To book an appointment or speak to a member of the team at Specsavers Wishaw store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/wishaw or call 01698 354 260. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .