Junior jarl ‘honoured’ to receive national award celebrating young people
THE 2024 Junior Up Helly Aa jarl has won a prize at a national awards ceremony recognising the work of young people in Scotland.
Oran McCulloch was one of a number of Eric Liddell recognition award winners at YouthLink Scotland’s National Conference in Glasgow today (Tuesday).
The Eric Liddell 100 is a programme of events and activities to recognise and celebrate the life, sporting and community service achievements of the iconic figure.
It is being planned around 2024, the centenary of Eric Liddell’s historic success at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
As part of the EL100 programme, YouthLink Scotland has been working with the Eric Liddell Community to “celebrate some of the amazing young people aged 12 – 26 years, who have made an outstanding contribution to their community through their involvement in youth work in Scotland”.
Among the attributes award winners needed to show included passion, compassion and integrity.
McCulloch said: “When I found out I had been nominated for the Eric Liddle award I was chuffed.
“It’s an honour to have been nominated and to know our community appreciate the work my squad and I put in last year. It’s also great to have the volunteering we did through the Junior Up Helly Aa festival recognised nationally.
“I’d like to make a special thanks to the Junior Up Helly Aa committee, the squad, their parents who supported us and finally my own family who helped through the whole year.”
YouthLink Scotland chief executive Tim Frew said: “Oran was elected as the junior jarl for the Junior Up Helly Aa 2024 festival.
“The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by Oran was key to the success of the festival. He led the festival will humility and respect, ensuring that he valued each and every volunteer that supported the process.
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“He showed loyalty and self-sacrifice by often forgoing other social opportunities (included his beloved Lerwick Rangers and Shetland football) to turn out at every ask of him during his time as junior jarl.
“Whether that be welcoming visitors to Lerwick Harbour, visiting a care home or engaging with children as part of the school visits on Up Helly Aa.”
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