Big-hearted pupils from Coatbridge High earned a glittering prize on behalf of their chosen good cause as they spoke up to win a bumper donation.
Class mates Cal Gilkison, Cody Mathieson, Patrick Bannan and Tao Rowlands were the winners of the school’s annual Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) final after giving an impressive presentation about the Monklands baby and family clothing aid project run by Diamonds in the Community.
They were rewarded with a £3000 cheque from project organisers The Wood Foundation to present to the Airdrie-based charity; whose delighted volunteers say they were left “a bit speechless – and hugely grateful”.
Second-year pupils at Coatbridge High were challenged to form teams and research the work of a local good cause, with each class holding its own heat and the eight winners progressing to the school’s much-anticipated final.
Cal and his mum Lorna spent a day at the Diamonds base on Stirling Street to find out as much as possible about the group’s work, with volunteers calling him “a credit to his parents and school”.
The clothing aid project was established last year and helps supply families in need with suitable outfits and shoes for different weather and seasons, baby equipment ranging from toiletries to cots, plus bedding, toys and maternity items – all of which are donated by members of the public.
All four group members then prepared an impressive presentation which they shared at the Coatbridge High final watched by their year group and a judging panel consisting of teachers, senior pupils and members of Coatbridge, Airdrie and Monklands Rotary Club.
The runners-up were Carrie Mortimer, Catie McDonald, Cerys McDonald and Grace McGeough, representing Who Cares Scotland, which works with care-experienced young people and care leavers – and the school was so impressed by the high standard of submissions that they now plan to donate funds raised from a Santa dash next month to that charity.
Winning team members Cal, Cody, Patrick and Tao handed over the cheque to Diamonds in the Community development manager Dougy Allsop as they visited the group’s busy new premises in Airdrie town centre.
Charity representatives said: “We’re all a bit speechless, and hugely grateful to the lads – it’s a great donation and is a great boost for us.
“It was lovely to show someone so young and thoughtful around and we would happily welcome them back any time.”
Coatbridge High teacher Yvonne Dunlop, who organised the school’s YPI project, said: “All of the charities put forward were really worthwhile and the presentations from all the teams were great.
“It was nice to have external judges from the Rotary Club joining us this year and they didn’t have an easy task to choose a winner.
“The final was a great day and senior pupils did a quiz and activities with the pupils while the judges deliberated.
“Diamonds are so chuffed to have received this support and it will help them out quite a bit in putting back into the community; and our runners-up are delighted that there will also be money going toward their charity from our sponsored run next month.”
Charities across Lanarkshire have benefited from the efforts of local secondary school pupils taking part in the YPI programme, which aims to “raise awareness of philanthropy, social issues and the needs of communities”, and has so far seen £4.5m donated to grassroots charities championed by young people.
Among the local good causes to have received £3000 donations earned by big-hearted students are Coatbridge charity Baby Loss Retreat, Salsburgh-based Ponies Help Children, North Lanarkshire stroke survivors’ group, Families and Friends Affected by Murder and Suicide, and additional support needs group Jack and Jill.
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