Anam Cara Fasgadh Youth Champions
Anam Cara Fasgadh believes that it is vitally important to enthuse, motivate and encourage the next generation of volunteers, and to this end we are delighted to have the young people we have working with us. The charity is dedicated to equipping our Youth Champions with the skills, abilities, knowledge and confidence to advocate for, contribute to, and represent the charity.
Amelie McGuire
Amelie is daughter of Michael and Rachel McGuire and little sister to Kyle.
Amelie was Anam Fasgadh Cara’s first fundraiser, when she collected change from her friends at school, missing out on her lunch in doing so.
Noah Simpson
Noah is son of Andrew and Susan Simpson, wee brother to Charis & Alex, and big brother to Eilidh Beth. He volunteers as photographer and content maker for the charity.
Noah says, “I am 15 and I am so excited about our first caravan for Anam Cara Fasgadh. I work hard to represent the charity, and love being their photographer. I want to make my sisters Alex and Eilidh Beth proud and to make sure people remember them.”
Charis Simpson
Charis is daughter of Andrew and Susan Simpson, big sister to Alex, Niamh and Eilidh Beth.
Charis says, “My name is Charis, I’m 19 and I’m starting a Marine Science university degree at the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
When I was 2 my sister Alex died and when I was 5 my sister Eilidh Beth died.
I am determined to make a difference in memory of them and I am so pleased to be a Youth Champion for the charity. It is my hope that as time passes we can bring more Youth Champions on board and that together we can be a voice for bereaved siblings.”
Anam Cara Fasgadh has been working with High School students since 2019 on Youth Philanthropy Initiatives.
In 2021/22 Founder Susan Simpson, Trustee Niki Walker, and Patron Mairi Rogers worked with S5 Oban High School Students Arden Binnie, Beckie Jeffrey, Charis Simpson, Lei Low and Tilly Clark, who produced this presentation. Out of almost 30 presentations, the S5 team were chosen as one of 3 finalists. Whilst they didn’t win, they have been invited to the 2022 YPI Final and they have vowed to continue advocating for and supporting Anam Cara Fasgadh. They are working with Anam Cara Fasgadh to establish a Travel Fund for families staying at the caravan.
The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is a powerful active citizenship programme, empowering young people to make a difference in their communities while developing a range of skills. Introduced to Scotland in 2008 by The Wood Foundation, it has engaged more than 230,000 young people who have taken responsibility for £5m of charitable giving.
YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. Each school is responsible for directing a grant of £3000 to a local charity championed by its students through a unique programme of teamwork, research, and competition.
YPI engages a full year-group of students, developing skills and confidence through a contextualised learning experience. The programme raises awareness of social issues and local charities and is a vital means of devolved, locally driven grant-making.
YPI is managed and principally funded by The Wood Foundation. A dedicated team works closely with all participating schools.
If you would like to speak to a representative from Anam Cara Fasgadh about engaging with your YPI students please email Irene on info@anamcarafasgadh.org.