Clarkston resident honoured as East Renfrewshire Citizen of the Year 2023
A Clarkston resident who works tirelessly to ensure children across the area have the school uniform they need has scooped East Renfrewshire Council's Provost Award.
Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 15 December 2023 14:47
Each year, the Council awards a longstanding volunteer with the Provost Award to honour them for their dedication, outstanding service and the positive changes they make for others and names them as Citizen of the Year.
Sandra Douglas was recognised as Citizen of the Year 2023 for her work as the founder and driving force behind Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire in Spiersbridge, Thornliebank.
Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire was set up in 2015, and awarded charitable status in December 2017, after donating Christmas presents to a local charity and seeing children ask for school uniform as a gift. It is based on the concept of a food bank and aims to ensure that children across the local authority have brand-new school uniforms and all of the school essentials that they need.
The fundraising efforts led by Sandra have ensured that this charity has continued to expand and become an essential service.
Sandra dedicates the majority of her spare time to Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire, helping to get local children fully equipped for their school year whilst ensuring dignity and compassionate support for their carers. Since the beginning, an increasing number of children are helped each year, with this year’s total beyond 400 and steadily rising.
The charity operates on a referral system from local support agencies, schools and third sector organisation with all children remaining anonymous.
Provost Mary Montague said: “I’m delighted to award Sandra with the 2023 Provost Award. The work that Sandra and her team carry out on a daily basis is absolutely vital and provides a lifeline to so many families across East Renfrewshire. Each year the charity is receiving more and more referrals and Sandra continues to ensure that no child in East Renfrewshire goes without - from uniform to gym kit, school bag and stationery- which allows them to experience the same pride, self-respect and dignity as their peers whilst at school.
“Several nominations were submitted for Sandra and although it was a tough deliberation amongst the judging panel it was clear that this accolade should go to Sandra this year. With the continuing rise in the cost-of-living, more and more families are relying on the support of the charity. Sandra’s work continues all year round are many are depending on this support now more than ever.”
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination this year, the efforts of all of our hard working volunteers is incredible and so appreciated.”
Sandra Douglas, who has lived in Clarkston for more than 30 years added: “This is a wonderful honour, especially when coming from our local community. I’m so grateful to those who put me forward for this. It was completely unexpected but thank you to you all for taking the time to do that.
“At Back to SchoolBank, we want children to go to school looking and feeling just like everyone else does. It’s so heartwarming to know that, hopefully, we’ve helped make some families’ lives a little easier, simply by providing them with a brand-new school uniform and all they need for the school day.
“But finally I’ve got to thank our team of trustees, our volunteers and all those who contribute with funding and donations year after year. I’ve said it so many times, we couldn’t do it without that level of support.”
Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm at 1 Spiersbridge Way, Spiersbridge Business Park, Thornliebank and can be contacted by emailing info@backtoschoolbank.com at any time. Donations of brand-new items are always welcomed.
More information about Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire and the support that is available is on their website at: backtoschoolbank.com
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
Three community projects are to receive funding to plant more trees in cities and towns across Scotland
A community orchard, tree planting and community wellbeing initiative and a local nature reserve are the first projects to benefit from the Urban Forestry Programme.
READ MORE
Free and great value half term activities at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MORE
itison Us charity call out
itison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup with James, Ewan McVicar, Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, Happy Mondays and more
Pavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MORE
Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day
East Renfrewshire Council hosted this year's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Wednesday 29th January and the theme was For A Better Future.
READ MORE
Trust launches storm appeal following extensive damage across Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival is landing in Glasgow
Scotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORE
Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show launches a mythical map of Scotland with lead Scottish tour company
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MORE
Scottish hospitality group serves up new digital loyalty scheme to cut customer bills
Scottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORE
Scottish Golf events go LIVE for 2025
Top amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORE
Live Music Now Scotland announces unparalleled new award
Live Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival returns to Ayr Beach with Saturday lineup curated by Ewan McVicar
Pavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MORE
BBC Debate Night returns for 2025
BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a roster of blockbusters at Vue venues in Scotland
Vue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MORE
Dobbies free February workshops
Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MORE
Vitality programme gives locals a new lease of life
East Renfrewshire residents who joined a targeted exercise programme for people living with medical conditions have vowed to continue prioritising their health and wellbeing in 2025.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORE
IRN BRU team up with YO! to offer haggis sushi to reimagine Burns Supper in Glasgow
IRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MORE
Delve into the past with local heritage classes
Local residents can delve into the past and discover more about their family tree, house history and local history research with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's series of heritage sessions.
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Work EastRen can help kick start your new year
East Renfrewshire Council's employability service, Work EastRen, is ready to help local residents find work this New Year.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links