We were absolutely delighted to be invited along to the annual Simm Endeavour Awards today at Carrigans, Blantyre.
Various organisations within the Blantyre community were thrilled to collectively be awarded £8,750 for good causes, by a gracious sponsor. Children and adults alike attended by invite and were generously treated to drinks and a meal, before the ceremony started.
The bespoke annual awards were funded by expat, Archie Simm, who quietly in the background and now living in another country, for the last 20 years has quietly funded an endeavour award for pupils at Auchinraith Primary School who have shown the most progress. It’s not all about grades, but about the work put in not just in the previous year but throughout all time at primary school. Archie formerly went to Auchinraith as a child before emigrating.
Auchinraith Head teacher Julie McCulloch and Archie’s brother Hugh presided and the following donated awards were made to:
- Paul Veverka taking receipt of £1,000 for Blantyre Telegraph, presented by Auchinraith pupil, Katie. Paul confirmed the amount will entirely be given to the community in the form of small micro grants rewarding individuals as and when the opportunity arises.
- Andy Simm at Blantyre Miners Welfare was handed £2,000 by another pupil Lacey. Andy confirmed his amount would reach volunteers at the Blantyre Miners Welfare Community Garden and Blantyre Life hub.
- Laura Bradley of Guide Dogs Scotland received £2,000, presented by Liam one of the school house captains. Laura (and her dog Autumn) confirmed the amount would support guide dog owners in Lanarkshire.
- Auchinraith Primary School was given £3,000 received by Andrena Black, presented by Isabella, another pupil of the school.
- A further £750 was also given to the school, presented by head boy, Mason.
Photos from the ceremony are attached. Well done to the kids for presenting, to Julie and Hugh on such a great job presenting and of course to Archie and his family for the utmost kindness shown. The event ended with a toast for Archie and his generosity.
These donations made today will stretch a long way further, branching out with worthwhile reward to many other individuals, organisations and groups within the Blantyre community.
