Judy Murray has urged Scots to get behind a one-off charity event that is aiming to change the lives of at least 100 children living in poverty.
One in four Scots children are living in poverty, against the 2030 target of less than one in 10.
A team of business leaders have joined forces with Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity, to stage a fundraising dinner at Crossbasket Castle, in South Lanarkshire, overseen by celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr.
Every penny raised will support children and young people living in poverty or those who have experienced trauma after the venue, dining and entertainment partners offers their services for free.
Organisers are aiming to raise £100,000, a sum they said has the potential to "change the lives of at least 100 children."
Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will be held on Saturday, November 23.
Judy Murray, an ambassador for the event, said: “As a mum and granny, knowing that so many of Scotland’s children are living in crisis is heartbreaking.
"I’m joined forces with the team behind this event and Children 1st to raise awareness of the desperate situation too many of our young people find themselves in, but also to help make this dinner is as big a success as possible so we can transform the lives most in need of our support.”
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children 1st, said: “Our teams at Children 1st support thousands of children who are distressed and at risk of harm across Scotland.
"Far too many children have childhoods that are full of fear and worry and we must protect them.
"Childhood should be happy and carefree but that is not the case for far too many of our babies, children and young people.
"I am so grateful to everyone involved in the fundraising dinner and completely humbled by the generosity and willingness to help.
"It is only with support and donations that we can continue our work to protect and transform the lives of children in Scotland."
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The fundraising dinner will be one of the first major events to take place at Crossbasket following a £15m investment which added an additional 40-bedroom hotel, two five-bedroom eco-friendly lodges and a luxury spa.
A new venue, Trocadero’s, boasts seven-night-a-week entertainment and a world-class menu overseen by Michel Roux Jr.
The team organising the dinner include Norbert Lieder, managing director of Inverlochy Castle Management International; John McGurk, a survivor of childhood abuse and lifelong campaigner for children’s rights and Graeme Green, managing director of Crossbasket Castle and Natalie Buxton, managing director of Weber Shandwick.
Tickets are available from the Children 1st website starting at £150.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here
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