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.

In 2024 Amelie and her team proudly represented Anam Cara Fasgadh in Lochaber High School’s Youth & Philanthropy Initiative. The whole team is so proud of this amazing young lady, who has always had such a heart for honouring the memory of her wee brother Kyle.

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 studying 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 have spent my life since then being involved in charities that support bereaved families - I was even interviewed in Gaelic for the opening of the Inverness Tree of Tranquility!

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.”

Noah Simpson

Noah (on the left) 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 16 and I am so proud about our first caravan for Anam Cara Fasgadh. I work hard to represent the charity, and love being their photographer.

Alex would be the year above me at school, and Eilidh Beth would be the year below me. My 2nd birthday was just a few days before Eilidh Beth’s funeral. I want to make my sisters Alex and Eilidh Beth proud and to make sure people remember them.”

Caden McKenzie

Caden is 17 and has just finished school. He is working full time at McDonald’s and hopes to head to Camp America next year. Caden has already been doing so much in memory of his wee brother Albie, and says, ‘I hope I can help at events for Anam Cara Fasgadh, and with fundraising. All that the charity does is really important. I also feel that being Youth Champion and representing the charity will be good experiences for me.’

YOUTH AND PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE

Anam Cara Fasgadh has been working with High School students since 2019 on Youth Philanthropy Initiatives.

In 2025 Our founders Susan, Andrew, and Michael have been working with students across Scotland, and we are thrilled to announce that S5 students Sennen, Isla, Rebecca, Atlanta, and Olivia (above) have won the YPI Final at Oban High School, securing a £3,000 grant for Anam Cara Fasgadh — including £500 generously gifted by Glensanda Superquarry.

Their inspiring presentation focused on our Cùram Cala Retreat Campaign, highlighting the need for a second caravan to support more bereaved families through Poppy’s Place. The group has worked closely with us since October 2024, even visiting the retreat to interview Susan.

We are deeply grateful for their empathy, advocacy, and commitment — and so glad they’ve chosen to continue volunteering with us.

Abigail Bunting

Abigail is 15 years old, daughter of David & Megan Bunting and big sister to Oliver ~ she joined the team of Youth Champions in 2024.

Abigail says, “Poppy’s Place has helped me since losing my little brother Oliver as we started coming here on the anniversary of his death. Poppy’s Place is so peaceful and gives me time to remember the short time I had with Oliver.

I think it’s important to support Anam Cara Fasgadh as it gives anyone who has lost a baby, child or young person the chance to have a break away from the real world and relax in a beautiful place.

I would love to see Anam Cara Fasgadh be able to open more lodges like Poppy’s Place across Scotland to help more families with the death of a child.”

Jacob McKenzie

Jacob is 15 and currently in 4th year at High School in Inverness. He has already helped at so many events and fundraisers in memory of his wee brother. Jacob says, ‘I like helping out in memory of Albie and doing new things. I’m looking forward to helping Anam Cara Fasgadh.’

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.

In 2022 Cofounder 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 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.