We are proud to support Cash For Kids as our main charity. Santa’s Grotto is a highlight of the year, with hundreds of wide-eyed youngsters meeting Father Christmas to tell him what they would like to find under the tree on Christmas morning.
Since 2004, all the money raised from Santa’s Grotto at Gyle has been donated to Cash for Kids, and to date that amounts to £165,044!
During the year, we have Cash for Kids day with staff participation in various mall activities to raise funds and the radio show is live from Gyle. We also work together with Currie and Balerno Rotary Club all year round with craft workshops as well as the annual Christmas Gift Wrapping Service. All money raised is distributed to local charities. Each year they manage to raise around £8,000!
We are proud sponsors of SAM (Scottish Autistic Media) Radio. This sponsorship has allowed them to help over 40 adults on the Autistic Spectrum build up their confidence and communication skills through the radio. Since the beginning of our partnership, they have raised £3,000. SAM Radio has since had 8-10 guests appear on their show and helped all presenters gain confidence in live broadcasting, which has helped them to interact with the public.
Our partnership goes further than just a monetary sponsor as we often invite the radio to join us for live events in the centre and have introduced 8 – 10 centre guests to the radio to appear on their shows.
The Stray Cat Rescue comes into the centre once a year in December to run a raffle/awareness day to help raise money for the Cat Rescue. Their last visit raised £810.62 which went towards vet bills and the upkeep of the Stray Cat Rescue. Their running total raised at Gyle is £3,000.
A joint venture has been done with Edinburgh Council high schools was Citrus Saturday – school enterprise initiative, through which young people (of secondary school age) are given the opportunity to plan and set up their own business – a lemonade stand – for a day. The young people did set up their stall and sell the Citrus flavoured drinks, which they themselves have made.
Young Enterprise Trade Fair: Once a year the Lothian Young Enterprise Trade Fair sets up in the centre. This trade fair offers S6 students from schools across Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian the chance to set up their own stall selling unique gifts for Christmas shoppers.
Corstorphine Fair: Every 2nd year Gyle sponsors the Children’s Fun Fair.
Stenhouse PS and East Craig PS both work with Gyle with our design a light competition. Pupils can win the chance to be a VIP for the night at the annual turning on of the Christmas lights and the opening of the grotto in November.
RSPB: Awareness/workshops days in the mall. Gyle teams up throughout the year to do wildlife workshops and awareness days.
RDA: this year has recycled old books by setting up a stall asking for donations to purchase used books which have been very well received. The funds help to keep the riding school for disabled children going.
Guide Dogs For The Blind, Breast Cancer, Dog Trust (to name just a few) have bucket collection days at the Gyle.
Static cycle events take place during the year with donations collected for charities.
Gyle works with the local chaplain, anyone with any work & life issues she is happy to help.
Come along to Gyle on the first Tuesday of each month and join in our Book Bug sessions with the Scottish Book Trust, held in the Food Court. Book Bug sessions are free, fun and friendly events for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together. Sessions are at 10am and 11am, and each one lasts around 40 minutes and includes songs, stories and rhymes, and there is no need to book.
Gyle in the past has sponsors a Forth One Community Venture Award; this award looks for a school, home for the elderly or a community group who have improved their facilities or outdoor space for the benefit of the area.
Gyle works with Riverside Kids where some unclaimed lost property is giving to the charity and for raising funds.
Only service dogs are allowed in the centre.
To find out more about Gyle and Purple Tuesday, click HERE
Gyle has supplied Gylemuir P S, Juniper Green PS, Broom house PS and St Josephs with school football strips.
Gyle has allowed local dance club, local brass bands and carol singers to perform to raise funds.
Project/competition with 5 local schools to design on paper, bird boxes for the trees around the grounds of the Gyle. The winning boxes now hang proudly in the trees.
Schools and colleges are welcome to conduct mall surveys as part of their studies. Please contact Centre Management to arrange a suitable time to do so.
Looking to raise funds for a worthwhile cause? A limited number of spaces are available throughout the year. Please contact Elizabeth Wood at