The brother of a Perthshire man who was murdered by ISIS has revealed how schoolchildren have given him hope for the future.
Mike Haines, who is keeping his sibling David’s memory alive through his charity Global Acts of Unity, said he has been moved to tears by pupils’ determination to banish hatred and extremism.
Aid worker David was captured by the terrorist group while helping refugees.
He was held in Syria for 18 months before being brutally executed in 2014.
Peace campaigner Mike (53) said: “I visit schools to talk about what happened to our family and I am always amazed at the perceptive things the children say.
“There is a lot said about the youth of today but I find the young people I meet incredibly positive.
“When I visit schools, I tell them a story of two brothers. Then I tell them how David was kidnapped. There is a growing horror as the pupils are told what happened when he was murdered.
“There’s a real rejection of hatred. I have been moved to tears by the things that the pupils say to me.”
Mike spoke as his charity launched a poetry contest to encourage pupils to explore the meaning of unity.
He said: “I’ve been inspired by many young people on my journey but I want to hear from many more.
“That’s why we have created Words of Unity to invite young people, as the leaders of tomorrow, to add their powerful and unique voices to this call for unity, acceptance and understanding.
“There is always a very powerful reaction from young people when I tell my family’s story.
“Recently, a young student approached me after my presentation. She had written me a poem, and it was a moving message of hope and unity.
“That poem inspired me to create this competition. I want to encourage as many young people across the country to think about what unity means to them.”
The winner of the competition will receive £100 of vouchers and £500 of supplies for their school community.
For details about the contest, see mikehaines.globalactsofunity.com
