Student efforts secure cash for cancer care charity

From The Volunteer Centre (Harris)

A team of S3 pupils from Sir E Scott School have secured £3000 for the Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative (WICCI) through The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI). We, at the Volunteer Centre, have the privilege of facilitating YPI on behalf of The Wood Foundation.

Eilidh, Donnie and Daisy gave an emotive presentation which the judges deemed the winner. They described how winning the £3000 would mean WICCI could purchase 28 heated blankets, care boxes and various types of therapy for those on our islands going through cancer.

The judging team this year were Sandra Fraser, Manager Harris Voluntary Service, Kate Langley, Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides Co-ordinator (Harris) and Flora Scott, an S4 pupil who took part in YPI last year. They had a difficult decision to make and needed to use the judging criteria in order to choose the winning team. The judges also praised Jake for his superb hosting skills.

The other charities being represented this year were Leverburgh Care home, Crossroads Harris, Action For Children, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scot-land & Bethesda Hospice. All the char-ities were extremely proud of how each team stood on the stage and gave their presentations.

Each team highlighted some of the skills they had gained through this process: Sir E Scott school have raised over £40,000 for local charities in the 10 years they have been hosting YPI. This is an incredible achievement for our small school.

Garreth Wood, Chairman of The Wood Foundation, said:

“Congratulations to Sir E Scott school for winning the YPI grant for Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative. The Wood Foundation is proud to provide a platform that empowers young people to explore complex social is-sues, develop confidence, and find their voice. Whether or not they se-cure the funds, every pupil gains valuable insight into their community and has the opportunity to champion a cause they care about."