Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Charity’s recognition for fundraising pupil
Generous Airdrie schoolboy Kevin Hornal earned a special charity award after putting his best foot forward to raise funds in support of their work.
The Primary Seven pupil at St Andrew’s in Burnfoot ran a 10k race, accompanied by his mum, and collected £125 for equalities charity Nil by Mouth to be used for their schools’ initiative on tackling sectarianism.
Kevin had been inspired to raise funds for the charity after its representatives began working with his school and neighbouring Golfhill Primary as part of its nationwide “champions for change” programme.
Education officer Jamie Lithgow this week visited Airdrie to return to Kevin’s school and present him with a special award in recognition of his achievements.
He said: “It’s truly humbling when someone like Kevin decides to go to such lengths to support our work.
“We’d like to thank him and his family for taking part in the 10k and raising the money which will go toward ensuring our schools’ programme remains free of charge into 2020.
“Champions for change is all about bringing people together to celebrate and better understand the things that make us different and encourage participants to find their voice on the issues that matter to them.
“Nil by Mouth was set up by a teenager so we are well aware of the power of young people to change the world.”
The organisation was founded in 1995 by Glasgow teenager Cara Henderson in response to the brutal sectarian murder of her schoolfriend Mark Scott following a football match in the city.
It has since worked with more than 100,000 people in schools, colleges and workplaces across Scotland, with more than 6000 pupils participating in the champions for change programme this year.
The charity added: “This includes hundreds from North Lanarkshire schools.
“There is no cost for any school or pupil to take part thanks to the sterling efforts of people like Kevin raising money for the project.”