‘We’re here to help’

Ambassadors’ reception at DC Thomson for volunteers

Help For Kids is expanding as 10 ambassadors join the organisation to help youngsters across Dundee and Perth.

Over the next year, each ambassador will host their own fundraising event for the charity, with the first taking place this weekend.

They will all attend one event organised by Help For Kids.

The group comprises of business people connected to Perth and Dundee.

The ambassadors are Lynne Wilson, Aileen Bollan, Derek Miller, Richard Leslie, Lianne Carr, Mark Robson, Elaine Woods, Andrew McMurray, Alastair Smith and Gaynor Sullivan.

Mr Miller, 40, said he got involved “to try and raise as much money as we can for Help For Kids”.

He added: “Becoming an ambassador helps me commit more time to the cause and help raise even more money.”

Mr Miller is having his first event this weekend at the Kirriemuir Horse Trials, where they will be doing bucket collections and raising awareness about the charity and what it does.

Ms Wilson, 54, from Beam Orthodontics, has become a big supporter of the charity in recent years. She said: “It’s a very worthwhile cause. “I am delighted to be a part of it.” Mr Leslie, manager of Dundee United’s under-13 girls, got involved with Help For Kids through the football team, after they decided they wanted to give back to the local community.

After collecting toys to give to children at Christmas he said: “It just kind of snowballed from there.”

“I am quite honoured that the charity asked us to do it,” he added.

Mr McMurray said: “It has been particularly close to my heart for the last four or five years. It’s in my blood and I am delighted that we have got these new ambassadors.”

Mark Robson was unable to attend the ceremony.

Stacey Wallace, manager of Help For Kids, said: “It’s nice to be able to welcome all our new ambassadors.

“It’s taken a few months to get the right people and it’s all people who have been involved with the charity either from the start or the last couple of years.

“It’s going to be a great help to us. It’s going to help us raise more awareness.

“It’s raising awareness for people to come and apply to us.”

Help For Kids’ next big event is an annual golf day on May 25.

A DUNDEE children’s charity is set to be bolstered by an influx of new volunteers.

Pictured at the reception to welcome Help For Kids’ new ambassadors are, front row, from left, Lianne Carr, Elaine Woods, Lynne Wilson and Aileen Bollan; back, Stacey Wallace, Richard Leslie, Derek Miller, Andrew McMurray and charity co-ordinator...