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News / Royal Voluntary Service’s funding boost

The winning team being handed a cheque from YPI. L-R: Kris Johnson, Luke Dutch, Alex Jamieson, Zoe Rivett, Kamran Irvani, Dougie Smith, Moira Bell, Helen Budgen, and Andy Paterson. Photo: Dave Donaldson

THE LOCAL Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) has been awarded £3,000 through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) after being backed by bairns at the Sandwick Junior High School.

A group of five pupils from the school chose the organisation as their preferred local charity for the YPI event in recognition of the work it does with older people in the community through activities like the Cunningsburgh lunch club.

The YPI scheme sees groups of pupils attempt to persuade a panel of judges why their chosen charity should be awarded funding.

The presentation for Royal Voluntary Service included an animated video created by pupil Dougie Smith, who said he “really enjoyed” making the clip.

Other charities and organisations which were represented included Disability Shetland, Mind Your Head, Shetland Befriending, Samaritans and Shetland Women’s Aid.

RVS Shetland service manager Moira Bell said: “The presentation delivered by the young people was excellent. It really captured RVS’ values and how we work locally.

“£3,000 represents a significant boost to our annual funds and we appreciate all the hard work the young people put into winning this money for the organisation.”

She added that the service – an organisation which “enriches the lives of older people and their families” – is always on the lookout for more volunteers.

“The commitment of our volunteers is what makes RVS special, creating a real difference in our communities,” Bell said.

“Whether volunteering as a driver, at a lunch club or café, or supporting older people to regain their independence, our volunteers help to enrich the lives of older people all across Shetland and beyond, and the hard work put in by the pupils at Sandwick will go towards funding that ongoing vital service.

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“We are always keen to welcome more volunteers to work with us. Our volunteers tell us that they benefit as much as the older people they help; training and development, the opportunity to meet new people, hearing fascinating stories, keeping busy and making a difference in the community are just some of the reasons why people volunteer with RVS.

“If you’re interested in joining our team, get in touch by visiting us in Market House, phoning us on 01595 743 914 or emailing us at shetlandhub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.”

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  • Removal of third-party ads;
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