Clarkston resident honoured as East Renfrewshire's Citizen of the Year 2023

Published: 15 December 2023

Each year, we award 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 (opens new window).