Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Teacher tribute
Over £16k raised for charity in Ruth’s memory
Kind-hearted Airdrie Academy pupils and staff dug deep to raise a five- figure sum in memory of a beloved former teacher – smashing their original target by a whopping £6000.
A series of fundraisers and collections were held at the school over the last 12 months as everyone came together to honour ex-deputy head Ruth Ross.
Ruth tragically died, aged just 57, from exhaustion and dehydration after collapsing in 40⁰ heat during a hiking trip to California in the summer of last year.
The Airdrie Academy community was deeply affected by the untimely passing of Ruth and the fundraising activities carried out were described as “a fitting legacy to a lady who touched the lives of so many of her students and colleagues”.
The initial target for the school’s year of fundraising was £10,000, but more than £16,000 was collected, with every penny going towards Vision Africa, a charity that supports vulnerable and disadvantaged kids throughout Kenya.
Ruth’s parents – John and Vera Packard – were founders of Vision Africa and the charity played a huge role in Ruth’s life.
A delighted Ian Fannon, head teacher at Airdrie Academy, said: “We decided that the school would honour Ruth’s memory by dedicating one year of fundraising to support Vision Africa’s work in Kenya.
“We are proud to establish links and support Vision Africa and remember all that Ruth Ross did for Airdrie Academy, its pupils and staff.
“Our target as a school was to raise £10,000 for the charity over the course of the academic year.
“Pupils organised a series of events to help them achieve their goal, from a ‘Shop 2 Drop’ fashion show and sale and 24-hour sportathon to teachers vs students karaoke and Christmas door decorating.
“This campaign raised more than £16,000 and we are so thrilled to be able to hand this amount over to Vision Africa.”
Ruth’s husband Chris, son Matt and friend and Vision Africa board member Nancy Wilson attended Airdrie Academy’s prizegiving ceremony where they were presented with a cheque from Mr Fannon and two of his students (pictured, above).
The funds raised will be invested in Seed of Hope Nairobi’s relocation to a new purpose-built site and will benefit many youngsters who will receive life-changing training in vocational, enterprise and life skills at the new facility.
After the prizegiving event, Chris sent the following message of appreciation to the school: “I was absolutely blown away by the presentation of your gift to Vision Africa – the sum of £16,000 is an incredible total, and bears wonderful testimony to the love and respect you had for Ruth.
“I am immensely proud of what you have done, and I know Ruth would have been too.
“Ruth always believed in and worked towards ways of changing the lives of young people for the better, to ensure they had and made the most of every opportunity in life.
“What you have all achieved through this year’s efforts reflect that so beautifully, and the money raised for Vision Africa will help hundreds and thousands of young Kenyans achieve things they may never have thought possible, allow them the possibility of escaping the traps that poverty holds for so many young people, and to have a future where they can make choices.”