Young Kinlochleven volunteers recognised at awards for effort
KINLOCHLEVEN High School pupil Jo Shepton has won young volunteer of the year at Voluntary Action Lochaber’s 2017 VOSCARs.
The S5 student started recording her volunteering hours in August 2015. In that time she has spent an amazing 277.5 hours of her time supporting Active Schools, Kinlochlovin’, the Prom Committee, Pupil Support, Young Enterprise and Nevis Radio.
Kinlochleven head teacher Rebecca Machin said: ‘Jo supports everything and everyone while studying hard for her Nationals last year and five Highers this year. Not only is she an amazing student, but she gives so much to her community. Amazing at such a young age.’
S2 pupil Thomas Price made the finals at this year’s awards.
The 13-year- old has spent more than 150 hours volunteering in the last 12 months, donating time to projects including Kinlochlovin’, the schools Rock Challenge and UNICEF Club. He has also raised money for Social Bite, a charity supporting homeless people in Scotland, and is the youngest presenter of the Kinlochlovin’ Drive Time Crew at Nevis Radio.
Hannah Newson was also a finalist. Hannah has amassed the most volunteering hours of any student this year – 235 hours from August 2016 to May 2017.
Ms Machin said: ‘It is incredible to think any youngster of this age could find five to six hours a week to volunteer for their committee, especially such a diligent student who works so hard for her exams. She does 87 hours for Active Schools, 49 hours for Pupil Support, as well as the schools Prom Committee and Young Enterprise, it is an incredible achievement, well deserving of praise.’
The awards were part of National Volunteers Week and were presented at a ceremony in the Ben Nevis Hotel.