Diana Awards for East Ren’s young volunteers

The awards recognise outstanding contributions to the recipient’s community, and mum and dad Martin and Claire O’Neill were first in touch to share son Michael’s good news.

The St Ninian’s S3 received a fundraising champion award at the national Diana Award ceremony in London recently, in recognition of his fundraising efforts over the last three years.

Michael has worked tirelessly for Bobath Scotland - a charity close to his heart, as elder brother Dominic (22) has cerebral palsy and receives therapy at the Bobath Centre.

His charity work has included several Bobath Cycles from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, being a helper at Bobath Dragon boat races, can collecting at Hampden and Celtic Park and joining his dad on the last 20 mile leg of a 450 mile charity cycle - raising around £115,000 in total.

There was success over at Williamwood High too, with public relations and achievement depute Daniel Lawrie contacting The Extra to share the successes of S6 pupils Rebecca McAllister and Bethany McPhail, and James Ferguson.

Rebecca received her Diana Award for being a champion volunteer in the school’s food and textile department, while James picked up an award for volunteering with the Glasgow Disabled Scouts for almost two years.

Bethany’s award was in recognition of her work at Isobel Mair School, assisting children with school activities.

Mrs Laura Cheyne, deputy head teacher at Williamwood, said: “We are extremely proud of all the pupils and we hope that the Diana Award will encourage them to continue volunteering within the community, as well as inspiring others to get involved.”