Two students at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University have received national recognition for their commitment to volunteering.
Edward Pollock and Shadya El Shafiy, who are both studying events management, have been awarded the Saltire Summit – the highest accolade at the national Saltire Awards.
The nationwide initiative, which is endorsed by the Scottish Government, aims to recognise the voluntary contributions of young people in their communities.
Mr Pollock, 21, has taken part in a range of volunteering projects, including working as a student faculty officer with Aberdeen Business School.
He organised the recent ball to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary.
He has also recently set up the Aqua Initiative which raises funds and awareness about shortages of water around the world.
He said he found his voluntary initiatives extremely fulfilling.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been able to get involved with and I’m immensely proud that my volunteering work has been recognised in such a prestigious way.
“It’s fantastic to be rewarded for something which I am very passionate about.”
For Miss El Shafiy the nomination was in recognition pf her efforts in establishing an Erasmus Student Network at RGU.
In its first year it became the biggest non-academic student society on campus and also won society of the year at RGU’s 2014 student achievement awards.
She said: “I am extremely honoured to be presented with the Saltire Summit award and I’m delighted that the success of Erasmus Student Network RGU has been honoured.
“It is great that the Saltire Awards recognise students for their volunteering work which helps to encourage others to get involved with the various opportunities available.”
The pair were nominated by volunteering co-ordinator at the RGU Union Stevie Kearney.
He said they were worthy winners.
“Both students have shown outstanding commitment to their volunteering roles and fully deserve all the recognition which comes their way,” he said.
“The benefits of logging volunteering hours and having it recognised are numerous, particularly for employability which is a key for all our students.
“The Saltire Awards is a nationwide scheme which is recognised by all employers and so it means a lot to achieve one.
“The Saltire Summit is not given out often so it’s really encouraging to see that two of them went to RGU students and demonstrates how RGU:Union can support students to achieve their goals.”
The awards in Aberdeen are administered by the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations.
Volunteering development worker Catherine Garrow said: “ACVO is delighted to celebrate young volunteers around Aberdeen.
The Saltire Summit is for outstanding volunteering and only 12 Saltire Summits are awarded in Aberdeen each year so this is a huge achievement.”
