Latest news with #Tunnock'sTeacake
The Courier
7 days ago
- Health
- The Courier
How 83-year-old grandad inspired Stirling student Josh to set up university blood donor squad
Josh Wood has found a special way to connect with his grandad and start a new family tradition – while helping to save lives at the same time. The 26-year-old Stirling University student and his grandad Robert Smith, 83, now give blood regularly. And Josh, who is studying an honours degree in sport and business, has also set up a group at the institution encouraging other young people to roll up their sleeves. 'My grandad is one of my biggest inspirations,' Josh says. 'So it is nice to now be following in his footsteps. 'I had always heard about my grandad giving blood. 'So in 2020 I decided to start donating and he encouraged me. 'He was with me and it was a nice experience to do it together. 'We had a sweet treat afterwards which is usually a Tunnock's Teacake or a KitKat. 'It only took half an hour and it was nice to feel like I was making a difference.' This is why Josh is supporting The Courier's Be Our Blood campaign where we are asking people across Tayside, Fife and Stirling to register here and become a donor. Every blood donation can save up to three lives, but currently less than 3% of eligible people in Scotland give blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service needs 500 more people become a donor in our area this year. Josh is one of many locals across Courier country who are backing our campaign which is showing just how many lives have been saved thanks to blood donors. Grandad Robert reveals he was in his late 20s when he started donating. 'I had a lot of mates who were going to give blood so we all went and did it together,' he says. 'But when they stopped, I just kept it going. 'Giving blood saves lives. 'But I also felt it was beneficial for me. 'Because when the nurse takes your blood she checks it and you can find out how your iron levels are. 'So it's like having a health check four times a year.' Robert says he was delighted when his grandson started giving blood too. 'I am really proud of him for becoming a blood donor. He is a wonderful young man. 'It has been nice when we have been able to give blood together.' He adds: 'I try to give blood as many times a year as I can and I will keep doing it until they tell me I can't anymore.' Josh and Robert want to make blood donation a family tradition – with Robert hoping his other grandsons will follow suit. But meantime, Josh reveals that he has managed to persuade his dad Michael to become a blood donor too. Josh was taking part in a blood drive last summer in Ayr with his grandad when he spoke to a representative from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. He then discovered that while some Scottish universities had a 'Bloody Brilliant Uni Squad' (BBUS) initiative – like Dundee and Edinburgh – Stirling University didn't. So he decided to set one up. 'There was an induction day in Edinburgh in August that I went to,' Josh explains. 'I got all the information I needed from the charity Give Blood 4 Good (GB4G) to set up a university squad. 'I then started up a team in October.' The Give Blood 4 Good charity works with universities and other organisations to encourage blood donation among young adults 'I put an advert out at Stirling University trying to recruit new members and had four or five people reply. 'From there we set up educational stalls in the atrium, in the middle of Stirling University, where we tried to encourage people to sign up to become blood donors. 'We would walk them through the process. 'And we also did a quiz about why it is so important to give blood. 'We also try to bust some of the myths that might put people off from giving blood – like being scared of needles. 'It really isn't as bad as people think.' So far the Stirling BBUS – which is part of Give Blood 4 Good (GB4G) – has already made an impact. It's first blood drive last November welcomed 68 donors, 40 of whom were brand new donors giving their first donation. 'The biggest aim we have as a squad is to get people under the age of 24 donating,' Josh explains. 'This is because if we get them starting to do it at a young age they are more likely to continue donating throughout their life. 'The university is a great place to target students. 'And as it is such an active sporting university it's a place where students are more likely to do it. 'A lot of people don't really know about the benefits of giving blood – not only for others but also for themselves. 'One little sample of blood has the potential to save three lives. 'That's why blood donation is so important. 'It's about creating awareness and getting the message out there so we can keep the blood stocks as high as we can across Scotland.' He adds: 'My hope is to target first and second year students so we can get a few committed volunteers. 'So after I graduate there will be other students there to keep the squad going in the future.'
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Tunnock's teacakes honoured in new song by Glasgow musician
Award-nominated musician Kenneth I MacKenzie has supported huge artists like The Waterboys during his time in a Glasgow pipe band and even wrote a song about Oor Willie. Now, the award-nominated trad music fanatic has released a song dedicated to Scotland's best-known biscuits and cakes - Tunnock's. The song, Tunnock's The Legend, was inspired by 'everyone having cupboards full of the stuff' and a chance meeting with Boyd Tunnock, the idea then "snowballed" from there. READ NEXT: Tunnock's boss shares vintage vehicle passion before Glasgow open day Speaking about the song's inspiration, Kenneth, 63, said, "I had the idea years ago and never did much with it. "I met Mr Tunnock a few years ago at a business-type lunch, and I bounced the song off him. "He thought it sounded like a great idea, and it just 'snowballed' from there. "He's quite a character, actually." The man who invented the Tunnock's Teacake Boyd Tunnock with his Tunnock Teacakes (Image: PA) Kenneth explained he was then prompted to finish the song by Tunnock's decision to sponsor Celtic Music Radio's broadcasts from Glasgow's Celtic Connections. He "tried to write a verse for every product" in the song and used it as a theme throughout. However, the Glasgow Times always asks the difficult questions, and we got Kenneth to pick his favourite. He said: "I just discovered it last night... I've just decided the Caramel Log is my favourite. "It really is something else, you know." READ MORE: RAF ban on flying with Tunnock's Teacake could be lifted 60 years on Kenneth's career has seen him play all around the world, and he's graced the Barrowland Ballroom to support The Waterboys as part of The City of Glasgow Pipe Band. Speaking about that time, Kenneth said: "What an experience that was! Oh, it was great fun." The song was produced by musical arranger and musician Will Marshall, who arranged Kenneth's last album. Will is also the musical director for the pantomime season at the Eden Court Theatre and has started writing film scores. Sir Boyd Tunnock with Martin Walker and a vintage bus (Image: Jane Barrie) Kenneth has been involved in Scottish traditional music since the age of 14, and often frequents Glasgow's trad music hub, the Park Bar. Kenneth, who stays in Scotstoun, said: "I'm in the Park quite often on Thursdays for the session. "I've got a lot of connections up north and up in the West Coast. Ardnamurchan is like a second home, and I write and sing about it a lot. "That's where the passion for traditional music comes from." He's no stranger to honouring Scottish icons with his music, having put together a tune about Oor Willie - Scotland's Oldest Wee Boy - which was produced by Stuart 'Woody' Wood from the Bay City Rollers. READ MORE: 'Legend': Michelle McManus beams as she celebrates birthday Kenneth also keeps a secret with the song, he explained: "I've brought in a well-known Scottish singer, but no one has revealed their name yet. "So, it's top secret adds to the mystique of the whole thing. "They're very well known in the Scottish folk scene and said 'I'm going to do it, but don't tell anybody it's me'." Producer, Will Marshall (left) and Kenneth Mackenzie (right) (Image: Supplied) Tunnock's director, Fergus Loudon, said: "Without exception, we all thought Kenny's song was very catchy. "We don't have any use for it at the moment, but we'll certainly keep it on file for any future marketing initiatives we are running." The song was first aired by Andy Hood on Celtic Music Radio at the start of Celtic Connections this year and has been played many times since. It's now available on Spotify here.
