It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has brought joy to those seeking adventure and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Scotland’s leading children’s charity. And now, a precious few were once again able to stand atop the iconic Forth Bridge to help raise money for Barnardo’s Scotland.
The charity’s ‘Your View’ event allows members of the public one of the most sought after and unique experiences in Scotland – namely the chance to ascend 361 feet up the historic rail bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline. Your View is in its seventh year – run in conjunction with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty – and another lucky 900 people travelled from all across the UK and beyond to take part.
In addition to the popular Your View event, the reprised Ultimate Experience, which was limited to a lucky few ticket holders, provided an extended tour which afforded visitors the chance to stand at track level of the legendary bridge for some amazing photo opportunities. Thereafter, visitors descended another level for a bridge walk under the railway track on the pathway out on to the Forth.
Surely one of the most esteemed of the 900 visitors over the weekend was 92-year-old Mrs Mary Williams, from Inverness, who scaled the bridge supported by family and friends. Mrs Williams thoroughly enjoyed her Your View experience, as she explains: “I do not have a fear of heights, but I was concerned about my ability to do it. However, I should not have worried as the whole team involved at the bridge were wonderful, and so helpful and supportive. Everything was lovely and I could not have been looked after any better.”
Describing her whole experience as “fantastic”, Mrs Williams added: “The vastness of the bridge is amazing – you are seeing it from so many different angles and up close. The bridge is a beautiful thing. I didn’t even realise there was a platform on the bridge before the Barnardo’s Your View event at the Forth Bridge, and now I can spot it when I cross the Firth by car or bus.
“It was a perfect day all round. Barnardo’s is a very worthy charity, and they do such good work, supporting children and young people. I have known about Barnardo’s since I was a child. I had one of their ‘house’ collection boxes to put money in.”
Around 7,000 visitors in total have experienced the event and there have a dozen or so marriage proposals on the vertiginous viewing platform since 2017. Best of all, though, the event has now raised almost £450,000 to fund the work of Barnardo’s Scotland.
Also featuring over the weekend were the famous ‘Briggers’. The Briggers are a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers based in South Queensferry. Named after the bridge workers, the group was formed to identify the names of the 73 men and boys who died constructing the Forth Bridge, which is a World Heritage site, and, during the event, they provided details on the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction.
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Your View proved once again to be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for those lucky enough to secure a ticket. We want to thank all of those who joined us over the weekend – including the wonderful Mrs Williams – as this is a crucial fundraiser for Barnardo’s Scotland as we continue to support children, young people and their families throughout the country. Your View would not be possible without the generosity of Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, and I wish to thank both organisations and our wonderful volunteers for making this special weekend happen.”
Barnardo’s Scotland intends to use some of the funds raised to support a pioneering “extended family” model approach to foster care. Barnardo’s Scotland utilises the ‘Mockingbird model’ for fostering, which is inspired by the support and relationships of an extended family.
Anne Whyte, Assistant Head of Fostering and Adoption at Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The Mockingbird model helps children, young people and foster families build a strong, caring community. This involves creating a ‘hub home’ with an experienced carer acting as a ‘grandparent’, surrounded by nearby homes that form a ‘constellation’.
“The aim is for the caring community to mirror an extended family, so that children can develop relationships not only with their own carers, but also with other children and carers. Everyday childhood experiences are encouraged, such as sleepovers and playdates.”
Alan Ross, Director of Engineering and Asset Management at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Hosting the Barnardo’s Your View event at the iconic Forth Bridge is always a highlight of our year, and an opportunity to help make a real difference for young people and their families in Scotland. This year brought more unforgettable moments, including a surprise proposal, reminding us why this landmark means so much to people. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring it together and making it another incredible experience.”
Colin Hardie, Works Manager at Balfour Beatty, said: “It has been an honour to work alongside Barnardo’s Scotland and Network Rail once again, to offer members of the public this memorable experience on one of the most iconic, unique and admired structures in the world – the Forth Bridge, raising valuable funds to support disadvantaged children and families in Scotland.”
At Barnardo’s, our purpose is clear: Changing childhoods and changing lives, so that children, young people, and families are safe, happy, healthy, and hopeful. Last year, we worked with thousands of children across Scotland through more than 150 services and partnerships.
Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we provided essential support to 373,200 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 800 services and partnerships across the UK. This included 173 services in Scotland. For more than 150 years, we’ve been here for the children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong.
Over the course of the financial year 2023-24, more than 16,000 people volunteered for Barnardo’s across the UK – a total of 1.7 million hours of their time. To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.