Community award for committed teen
A remarkable Dunblane teenager has been honoured for his contribution to helping others.
Dunblane High School pupil Cameron Darnbrough was recently awarded the Iain Smith Memorial Community Award.
The prize is awarded each year by the Rotary Club of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane.
Club spokesperson Peter Holmes said: “One of the fundamental aims of Rotary is to encourage and to recognise the contribution that young people make to the community. The enthusiasm, energy and commitment shown by young people to improving the lives of people in need never fails to impress.
“In the context of this award, the club looks to Dunblane High School, Queen Victoria School and Wallace High School to nominate an individual who has best matched the criteria for this award.
“For 2021 the trophy went to Cameron who, as the community service part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award, had volunteered with Neuro Central, a charity dedicated to providing support for people with neurological conditions.
“Having recognised the valuable contribution that Neuro Central makes, Cameron made up his mind to undertake a personal challenge, which was to raise £600 for the charity.
“He set out to achieve this by cycling five times from his house in Dunblane to the top of Dumyat and back, a round trip of 25km, including a climb of 800ft. He achieved his goal in only one day, covering a total distance of 125 km and a total climb of 4000ft.
“This remarkable performance resulted in Cameron far exceeding his original goal.
“In the end, he was able to make a contribution to Neuro Central of £2200.”
Last week, Rotarian John Kilby, the club’s youth community officer, visited Dunblane High School to make the award to Cameron.
John told him: “You are to be congratulated in raising more than three times what you set out to achieve. In doing so, you have shown both great energy and strength of character. You have recognised a need for more resources for this organisation, and, in responding, you have set an example that should encourage others to follow in your footsteps.”