FM supports European bid
Nicola behind volunteer attempt
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed Stirling’s bid to be named European Volunteering Capital.
The city is bidding to claim the title and will be up against the Italian city of Padua.
The aim is for Stirling to be the first area in Scotland where it is the norm to volunteer, setting an ambitious target of increasing volunteering participation rates to 50 per cent.
Delegates from Stirling’s bid team – Volunteer Scotland, Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise and Stirling Council – travelled to the Belgian capital Brussels yesterday (Thursday) to make their case to the judging panel.
The First Minister has thrown her support behind the effort, saying: “Volunteering is one of the greatest expressions of Scotland’s values and of our shared European values.
“It’s at the heart of everything we do as a government – key to our ambition of creating a fairer and more prosperous country with equality of opportunity for all, a country where everyone has the chance to make a difference.
“That’s why I’m proud and delighted to be adding my endorsement, and the full support of the Scottish Government, to Stirling’s bid for European City of Volunteering 2020.
“We have much to be proud of in our current volunteering practice and much to share with friends across Europe.
“But we are ambitious for the future – for a growth in participation for all, for greater reach and impact and for building a strong body of best practice and policy internationally.
“Scotland is a bold and positive country offering the warmest of welcomes, rich in history and heritage and with a progressive, pioneering and inclusive approach to our future.”
She added: “I look forward to welcoming everyone to Stirling in 2020 for the year-long Festival of Volunteering.
“It’s a chance to celebrate all that volunteering offers and to build new connections and partnerships as we look to a more inclusive and participative future.” In Wednesday’s Observer we told how a host of high-profile stars of the screen had thrown their support behind the bid – including Stirling University alumnus and European captain for the 2019 Solheim Cup, Catriona Matthew, playwright and author Alan Bissett, and Stirling–born actress Simone Lahbib.
Simone, who returned to the city in August this year as chieftain of the Highland Games, said: “I’m really keen for the city to get the recognition it deserves.
“As patron of local charity the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund, which was set up in memory of my niece, I’ve witnessed first–hand how committed the Stirling community are to helping local good causes.
“Our family have been overwhelmed by how generous people have been with their time and skills to support Eilidh’s dream of building a respite home for children affected by cancer and their families.”
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr and Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford also support the bid.
The winner is expected to be announced on December 5.