Tag: Points of Light

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank is a Point of Light

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has today been named as a ‘Point of Light’.

Established by The Prime Minister’s office, the daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.

Julia Grindley leads the ‘Edinburgh School Uniform Bank’, which distributes school uniforms and other essential items to families in the city who are facing financial hardship.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank is entirely voluntary run and was set up in response to reports that school children were asking Santa for basic school uniform items and underwear for Christmas.

Julia Grindley

Julia and other volunteers collect donations of money and clothes and put together “Back to School” packs for children from families in need. 

Julia has played a key role in keeping the service open for families while working with donors, volunteers and partners to make sure that every child and young person in Edinburgh has a school uniform.

Julia said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition of the work of Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.

“Our team works so hard to give children the best chances in life and to make sure that everyone can go to school feeling comfortable, confident, and fitting in with their peers. We bring together the whole community to support families who are facing tough challenges, and our thanks go to everyone who contributes to this effort.”

Emma and Jamie are Points of Light

Edinburgh teenagers Emma Sutherland and Jamie McIntosh have received Points of Light awards in recognition of their work for cancer charities. 

Set up and administered by The Prime Minister’s Office, the Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Since it’s launch last year 328 people have received an Award.

emma

Teenagers Emma (pictured above) and Jamie have both written books telling the stories of their mothers’ cancer diagnoses. When Emma’s mother, Rosie, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Emma didn’t know where to look for answers. She wrote Eek! My Mummy Has Breast Cancer to help other teens in the same situation.

Jamie met Emma after his mother, Monica, lost her 17-year battle with cancer. Emma inspired him to write My Mum Monica, a book about her life and the emotional rollercoaster of bereavement.

So far, Emma’s book has sold 1,800 copies and is available in Maggie’s Centres across the UK, as well as schools and libraries. Jamie’s book has sold 500 copies, raising £2,000 for the charity Fight Against Cancer Edinburgh.

Also recognised in August was Penicuik’s Lesley Anderson.

Lesley lost her son Chris when he was stillborn at 29 weeks and set up ComforTED as a way to help other parents of stillborn babies through their bereavement. ComforTED provides a pair of handmade teddies – one to be buried with the baby and one for parents to keep. Lesley has now sent over 900 pairs of teddies around the world.

Congratulations to them all.