NHS Lothian Charity celebrates national recognition at Scottish Fundraising Awards

NHS Lothian Charity has celebrated being shortlisted in two categories at the 2026 Scottish Fundraising Awards, organised by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland, which recognise excellence and innovation in fundraising across Scotland.

The Charity’s Engagement Team was shortlisted for Fundraising Team of the Year (Under £3m), while its annual Secret Santa Appeal was recognised in the Best Individual Giving Campaign category.

The shortlisting placed NHS Lothian Charity alongside some of Scotland’s leading fundraising organisations. In the Best Individual Giving Campaign category, fellow finalists included Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Erskine Veterans Charity, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Sight Scotland, with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance taking home the award. The Fundraising Team of the Year (Under £3m) category included Aberlour Child Care Trust, Change Mental Health and Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, with Aberlour Child Care Trust named as the winner.

The dual shortlisting recognised both the success of the Charity’s Secret Santa Appeal and the work of its Engagement Team, which brings together fundraising, communications and marketing.

The Secret Santa Appeal helps bring a little festive cheer to patients who will be spending Christmas in hospital. Through the appeal, donations help fund gifts, activities and small moments of comfort, while giving supporters the chance to say thank you to the NHS staff caring for patients and their families over the festive period.

The shortlisting also reflects the strong connections NHS Lothian Charity has built with its supporters, whose generosity helps improve experiences for patients, families and staff across NHS Lothian.

The Charity’s Engagement Team was recognised for the creativity, collaboration and care it brings to its work every day. Together, colleagues across fundraising, communications and marketing have worked to grow support for NHS Lothian Charity, build lasting relationships with donors, fundraisers, partners and NHS colleagues, and help ensure supporters understand the difference their contribution makes to patients, families and staff across NHS Lothian.

Nicola Sinclair, Head of Engagement, reflected on the night:

I am incredibly proud that our team has been shortlisted in two categories. These awards celebrate the very best of fundraising across Scotland, so to be recognised alongside such an impressive group of organisations is an achievement in itself.

“While I’m proud to see our Secret Santa Appeal recognised, I’m equally proud of our Engagement Team. Their creativity, dedication and commitment to our supporters shines through in everything they do. This shortlisting reflects the hard work of colleagues across fundraising, communications and marketing, and the relationships they have built with the people who choose to support NHS Lothian Charity.

“Congratulations to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Aberlour Child Care Trust on their well-deserved awards, and thank you to our supporters, volunteers, NHS colleagues and partners who make our work possible. Their generosity and commitment help us make a difference to patients, families and staff across NHS Lothian every day.”