Teenagers receive awards for volunteering
Teenagers who have given up their time to help others were recognised for their good will at the Saltire Awards in Oban’s Hope Kitchen.
The ceremony took place last Thursday May 31 and Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara was on duty to hand out the certificates.
Speaking at the event, Mr O’Hara said: ‘Volunteering is hugely important. It’s not an easy thing to do. You are a credit to yourselves, your family, your school and this organisation. Well done and congratulations. You should be very proud of yourselves.’
Hope manager Lorraine MacCormick said: ‘It’s amazing the development that we see in the young people. We really see the difference.’
Mrs MacCormick said the awards were a ‘nationally recognised award system, which goes hand in hand with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)’.
She explained that youngsters chose to volunteer for a number of reasons, such as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award, as part of the SQA or because they want to.
Mr O’Hara added: ‘I think it’s a win-win situation. Young people come in and volunteer and gain an understanding about the difficulties that people face and they give to the organisation and help the people.’
Not everyone was able to make it to the ceremony, but the 14 teenagers who earned a certificate were Isla Smith, Charlie Robertson, Ali Trafford, Eve Beaton, Sian Wellburn, Ezra Douglas Reid, Amy Craik, Aiden Macleod, Maya Sutherland, Sophie King, Ealasaid Maclean Fleming, Kila Bartley, Islay Cameron and Braeden Munt.