Moray School Bank founder teen in running for national award
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A SPEYSIDE teenager who co-founded Moray School Bank has been named as a finalist in national awards to honour "extraordinary" young people.
Speyside High School pupil Hannah Weir (13) from Rothes, is in the running for a Sunday Mail Young Scot Award.
The judges praised the spirit, dedication and determination of the 2020 finalists, all aged between 11-26 and who have made admirable efforts improve the lives of people in their communities.
When she was 10, Hannah donated £120 Christmas money to help her mum, Debi, set up the Moray School Bank – which provides school uniforms and warm winter clothing to young people across the region. The duo started a crowdfunder and set up a Facebook page for their new charity.
Hannah has been tirelessly volunteering for the school bank ever since, helping to collect, collate and distribute donations to more than 1000 vulnerable children in Moray.
Then in 2018, after seeing close-up the impact poverty can have on mental health, Hannah set up No Worries in Moray, a project aimed at helping children facing restrictions due to financial hardship.
No Worries in Moray organises day trips for struggling families to attractions such as Landmark. It is raising funds towards buying its own minibus.
Hannah will walk down the red carpet at the awards ceremony on September 7, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The winners will be announced at the star-studded event, which will be hosted by Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney.
Now in its 14th year, award winners will join a prestigious roll-call including actors such as Karen Gillan and Martin Compston, and world-class athletes including Sir Andy Murray and Olympian Laura Muir.
Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive of Young Scot, said: "We’ve heard so many inspiring stories about incredible young people across Scotland doing outstanding things for their communities.
"Hannah Weir, from Moray, has gone above and beyond."
