This year sees the inaugural World Scotch Pie Week, organised by The Scotch Pie Club from Saturday 25 November to Saturday 2 December and sponsored by ADM Milling.

Under the slogan ’Say aye tae a pie’, the event, which has echoes of the annual Doughnut Week, aims to raise money for the Scottish Society of Autism, supporting both children and adults who have problems in communicating, forming relationships and understanding everyday activities. The promotional event is being fronted by TV personality Richard Park.

The organisers plan to establish World Scotch Pie Week as a major event in the Scottish calendar. Scotch Pie is a traditional takeaway item, made with prime Scottish beef and lamb. Each year already sees the annual World Scotch Pie Championship, this year held on St Andrews Day during World Scotch Pie Week. Scotch Pie Club founder Alan Stuart says: "Now we’re calling on Scotland’s butchers and bakers to get behind the Pie Week and support this worthwhile charity."

== WRISTBAND INITIATIVE ==

To raise money, the Scottish Society for Autism has linked with The World Scotch Pie Championship to launch a limited-edition Autism Awareness wristband. Scottish bakers are being encouraged to order a quantity of the wristbands and sell them during the week. The blue band costs £1 and money raised is pledged to families touched by autism.

Bakers who register with The Scotch Pie Club to take part, will receive a pack of promotional materials for their shops, including posters, tent cards, shelf wobblers, balloons and a collection box.

As The Scotch Pie Club points out, not only will bakers be supporting a worthy cause, but their business will benefit from increased focus and traffic. It suggests activities to make the week work well, such as offering a competition unique to a shop for Scotch Pie customers, creating an exciting window display, providing special incentives for shop staff, involving the local school and making sure you inform local media for coverage.

== WRISTBAND ==

The charity chosen by the organisers recognises the problems, pressures and opportunities in supporting a family member with autism. According to the Scottish Society for Autism, difficulties can include sleeping problems, behavioural challenges, difficulty relating to others, personal care, food intolerance and sensory intolerances. "For some parents it can prove too much to cope with. In extreme cases, the pressures for families can become intolerable and lead to tragic events. We try to reach those individuals and families to provide the support and intervention they need," says the Society.

A leaflet regarding the World Scotch Pie Week, giving details of the charity it supports and how to enter, was distributed to all bakers in Scotland via the Scottish Association of Master Bakers in September. n

l For more information, contact Alan Stuart on tel: 01333 439 333