I've been a Trustee of Earth in Common for just over 4 years now - and in that time this incredible small charity has taken on some massive challenges and undergone some huge changes.

Earth in Common is all about connecting people with food and the environment - managing a community growing space for the people of Leith, running workshops and children's educational programmes, looking at food poverty, climate justice and sustainability.

We have just completed a huge capital project - with funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) - which has transformed the old derelict tennis pavilion at Leith Links into a new multifunctional community hub. This is going to be an incredible resource and I'm so excited for the future!

We've been running an incredibly restricted programme for a year now, while the building work has been going on - unable to open our Hingabootery cafe, sell coffee and generate an income to operate the charity.

Our doors will be open imminently - for coffee, food, market garden shop and events. Running costs are crucial while we get up and running.

I'm asking for donation for my birthday - please don't buy me gin or chocolate - I'd prefer that you support a charity close to my heart and help Earth in Common weather these tough few months until we are back on our feet.

Any support is greatly appreciated!