A group of dedicated teens from across Lanarkshire put their best foot forward to raise vital funds in a month-long “march for St Andrew’s Hospice”.
Members of the county’s three Police Scotland youth volunteer (PSYV) groups rose to the special lockdown challenge, which asked them to walk 7000 steps each day last month in support of the charity’s urgent care appeal.
They completed a combined total of more than 5.2 million steps during the month and raised nearly £1600, which was presented this week to grateful fundraisers at the hospice in Airdrie by group member Calum Gray.
Aged between 13 and 17, the police youth volunteers have three groups based in Hamilton, Shotts and Cumbernauld, and dedicate their time to helping with charity projects and community events.
Constable Martin Sweeney, the co-ordinator of the local groups, told Lanarkshire Live: “St Andrew’s is at the heart of the Lanarkshire community and offers crucial support to so many, and the hospice was seeking urgent donations as their usual funding streams were heavily restricted due to the pandemic.
“One of the things we do is support local charities, so our volunteers were tasked to undertake 7000 steps a day for the month – and managed to raise a magnificent £1565.
“It promoted the health and physical wellbeing of our youth volunteers, and we were supported by family, friends and the community who donated to the fundraising page we created, and I sincerely thank everyone who supported this very worthwhile cause.”
He added: “The PSYV programme aims to strengthen the relationship between police and young people, breaking down barriers, promoting good citizenship and allowing our young people to impact positively in their communities.”
More information on the force’s youth volunteer scheme is available at PSYV.org and on Lanarkshire Police Division’s social media accounts.
