Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2024: Primary school pupil shortlist revealed!
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Here is your shortlist for the primary school pupil award. Voting closes on Sunday, March 24.
VOTE for your Heroes NOW below
Emmy McBain
Seven-year-old Emmy McBain has been shortlisted for a Heroes award for her “warm heart, effort and dedication” to Deveronvale Community Hub.
Emmy, who attends Banff Primary School helps the hub to collate clothing, shoes and household essentials for local families in need.
She made her own lemonade and sold it from her doorstep generating £95 for the hub. Her mum Jillian said: “I’m so emotional to hear that she’s been nominated for this award! When I told Emmy she was really curious as to why, because her mission is to be kind and help people and that comes naturally to her. My husband Jamie and I are so proud of her. We all help out at the hub, including our teenage son Leo. It’s an activity that we really enjoy as a family.”
The hub uses the power of Deveronvale Community Football Club players, families and friends to find ways to support the wider community. It relies entirely on donations.
In 2021 the hub provided 20 Christmas hampers to families in need, in 2022 it created 75, and last year it provided 95 hampers and included vouchers for the local butcher so that families in need could enjoy turkey on Christmas day.
Jillian concluded: “Emmy will tell anyone who will listen about the hub, she takes it very seriously. She’ll be over the moon that now even more people know about it!”
Delilah Clark
Six-year-old Delilah Clark of Findochty took it upon herself to walk five miles from her home to her granny’s house to raise much needed funds for a close family friend who suffers from cerebral palsy.
Tilly, who is now three years old, relies on therapies and equipment provided by the NHS and private professionals to help her manage her symptoms.Sarah, Delilah’s mum said: “When she heard about Tilly she immediately wanted to know what she could do to help.
She raised more than £1,000, which paid for Tilly to have a whole week of private intensive therapy.”
Her nomination said: “Delilah told her mum she’d be willing to give TIlly her legs to help her walk, what a beautiful little soul.” Delilah is now organising a bake sale to raise funds and a car wash is next on her list!
Her mum concluded: “Delilah is absolutely buzzing when she raises funds and then finds out how Tilly’s family are going to use them. She regularly sends Tilly videos explaining her next fundraising plan and how she hopes it will help her.”
Akira Barclay
Eleven-year-old Akira Barclay has been recognised for offering kindness, care and sensitivity towards a new girl guide.
The new member, who has autism, struggles to interact with others and often seeks isolation; thanks to Akira, she now feels safe and supported enough to join in group activities.
Akira has been shortlisted for a Heroes award. Her nomination said: “With Akira’s help and friendship her friend is now able to sit in the school canteen and has enough confidence to allow her mum to go home during guide meetings. Akira has demonstrated outstanding comradery. During one guide meeting where the activity was quite loud Akira offered to help her new friend complete the activity in a quieter room, with the help of the leaders both girls finished the evening with beaming smiles.”
Girlguiding Moray’s County Commissioner awarded her a Girlguiding Hero Award.
Akira’s dad, Daniel, said: “It’s lovely that Akira has been shortlisted for this award. She doesn’t really see her actions as anything out of the ordinary. We have three daughters and we believe in being nice and inclusive to everyone because everyone matters.”
GrainTek is sponsoring the primary school pupil award.
Managing director, Kenny Addison, was delighted to support Moray & Banffshire Heroes again.
“We are always impressed and inspired by the nominations for primary pupil of the year. These youngsters do amazing things ‒ volunteering, fundraising, supporting their schoolmates, raising awareness about issues that affect young people ‒ as well as all their schoolwork!
“We’re delighted to sponsor the award and support Moray & Banffshire Heroes again. We encourage everyone to vote for their star primary pupils and give them the recognition they deserve.”
