Kilmarnock student up for volunteer award

Jan 2 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

Scott’s charity work sets him up for a top award

A STUDENT who helps out at an animal charity shop in Kilmarnock is up for a coveted award.

Scott Brown, 21, volunteers at the PDSA shop in the Foregate, and has been nominated for the charity’s ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ award.

He’s up for the gong because of his ‘outstanding commitment and dedication’ to the charity over the past five years.

The busy Kilmarnock lad, who is studying microbiology at Glasgow Univerisity, often volunteers six days a week at the shop, as well as working part-time at the Park Hotel.

And he often goes above and beyond the call of duty by fundraising in his own time. Scott raised £200 by walking the West Highland Way and recently raised money for pets in need of vets by taking part in PDSA Walkies, a sponsored dog walk in the local park.

“Scott is 100 per cent committed to Kilmarnock PDSA shop and helping to raise much needed funds for sick and injured pets,” says PDSA area retail manager, Sharon Miller, who nominated him.

“Scott is a very important member of the team and always gives more than is expected of him. He often uses his own initiative to help fund PDSA’s free veterinary service.

“I’m delighted that Scott has been short-listed for the PDSA Young Volunteer of the Year Award. He is always happy, has a great personality and is extremely hard working.”

Scott said: “I became interested in the charity after mum started working in the shop and I’ve enjoyed all the things I’ve done to help out. The charity is close my my heart now.

“I wasn’t expecting this, so it was a complete shock. I heard just after I finished the West Highland Way, just out of the blue.”

The PDSA Volunteer of the Year Awards are now in their sixth year and the winner of the award will be announced in the new year.

For more information about becoming a PDSA volunteer, contact the charity’s National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194 or visit the website at www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteering