Forres Academy pupil scoops Outfit Moray’s outstanding contribution award
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A FORRES Academy pupil has scooped Lossiemouth charity Outfit Moray's annual outstanding contribution award.
The outdoor learning and adventure youth charity presents their David Smailes’ Award for Outstanding Contribution at their AGM and this year's has been won by young volunteer Faith Kenyon.
Faith (16) started volunteering with Outfit Moray this year and has been getting stuck in straight off the bat.
Volunteer coordinator, Karen Cox, said: “Faith has already clocked up more than 50 ‘work days’.
"She is a delight to have around and a most welcomed addition to the Outfit Moray family.
"Her instructors have said she relates well to young people and the families we work with and knows her way around all the equipment.
"Her level of competency in all aspects and her impact as a volunteer is particularly significant considering she is only 16."
Outfit Moray’s lead instructor Kirsten Petrie added: “Faith is happy to muck in and always appears with a smile.
"She is keen to apply herself to any activity and is so enthusiastic about outdoor sports and the work we do with young people
“She has a lot of potential to be an incredible instructor in the future and, next year, we will hopefully be able to give Faith opportunities to work through her Paddlesports Instructor and Paddlesports Leader awards.”
Outfit Moray's chairperson Claire Alldritt explained the meaning of the award, adding that Faith is a fitting winner.
"Outfit Moray are absolutely delighted to present this award to Faith in recognition of her incredible efforts, commitment and dedication to Outfit Moray," she said.
“David Smailes was our volunteer finance director on the board for almost five years until he sadly passed away in 2017.
"As a legacy, he left a donation to use as we saw fit, so we decided to create an award in his name, to recognise and celebrate the commitment of others to Outfit Moray.
"It is an award for outstanding contribution which is purposely left as an open category to reflect the wide variety of ways in which staff and volunteers work to achieve the aims and objectives of Outfit Moray.
Lil Kenyon, Faith’s mum, said that her daughter has gained a lot from volunteering with the charity.
“I’m so grateful to Outfit Moray that she’s had this opportunity," she said.
"Since she started, she’s gained so much confidence and more independence. She has matured so much through her volunteering.
"It's a great experience for her working with all the instructors and different clients taking part in all the activities.”
If you would like to learn more about volunteering for Outfit Moray, visit www.outfitmoray.com/volunteering.
