Each year the Peter Buchanan Award for Personal Endeavour* is given to a young person in East Dunbartonshire who has, through exceptional determination and effort, overcome significant challenges in their life.
For the second year running the award was presented to two worthy winners – Siobhan Young of Lenzie Academy and Morag McKay of Kirkintilloch High School.
Siobhan was born prematurely and as a result suffered a bleed to the brain which left her with cerebral palsy. Siobhan also has learning difficulties and started nursery at Campsie View when she was two years old. However, Siobhan was a very determined child and went into mainstream school with support when she was five. Now an S6 student at Lenzie Academy, Siobhan has passed all her National 5 examinations and is currently doing voluntary work at Campsie View School.
Siobhan was nominated for the award by her mother Evelyn who said, “Siobhan is a bubbly, happy girl and everyone she encounters daily says she always puts a smile on their face. As her mother I could not be any more proud of how far she has come.”
Morag McKay is a sixth year pupil at Kirkintilloch High School and has had a number of health issues since childhood. Despite this she is a dedicated volunteer and currently works with the Army Cadets, Brownies and Guides and takes part and helps run the Girl Guides Senior Section in Kirkintilloch. As well as assisting at regular meetings, training sessions and special events, Morag helps out on camping trips with both the Army Cadets and Girl Guiding Association and actively helps run the Guiding Association’s Catterburn campsite. She shows incredible dedication to her volunteering as well as working hard on her studies and achieving good results in last year’s SQA exams.
Rosslyn Hay, a teacher at Kirkintilloch High School, nominated Morag for the award. She said, “Morag has struggled greatly with health issues but she keeps up with her studies and achieved well in last year’s SQA exams is now studying for two Highers and a National 5. She shows incredible dedication to her volunteering and I wholeheartedly recommended her for this endeavour award.”
Both Morag and Siobhan received their Peter Buchanan Awards for Personal Endeavour at a special ceremony in front of family and friends.
Deputy Chief Executive – Education, People & Business, Ann Davie, said, “Once again the Peter Buchanan Award has brought to our attention the positive stories of some of our most resilient, hard-working and inspirational young people.
“Both Morag and Siobhan are worthy winners, overcoming significant health challenges in their lives to go on to excel in their studies. What is also exceptional about these young women is that they are both involved in volunteering, giving their free time to help other young people. We could all learn from their example and I am delighted to congratulate them on what I believe will be one of many accolades as they go through life.”
* The Peter Buchanan Award was established in 2012 in honour of former Council Project Officer Peter Buchanan who died unexpectedly in July 2011. It commemorates Peter’s passionate commitment to helping young people. He was a much respected member of the Council’s Positive Achievements project which supports targeted young people and learners in achieving an education, employment, training or volunteering destination.
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