A CHARITY set up by the brother of an aid worker beheaded by terrorists has launched a poetry contest for schoolkids to discuss unity, with East Renfrewshire pupils invited to take part.
Global Acts of Unity was set up by Mike Haines after the death of his brother David in September 2014.
Dad-of-two David travelled to Syria with French humanitarian organisation ACTED in March 2013 to help refugees there.
Within days, the 44-year-old Scot had been kidnapped by ISIS terrorists.
In the summer of 2014, ISIS posted footage online of the murders of David and two other hostages, American citizens Jim Foley and Stephen Sotloff.
Earlier this month, David’s brother Mike visited Barrhead High School to urge pupils to embrace peace and tolerance.
Now his charity is running a competition for children aged 11 to 18 to share in their own words what ‘unity’ means to them.
Mike said: “I’ve been inspired by many young people on my journey but I want to hear from many more.
“That’s why we have created Words of Unity to invite students aged 11 to 18, as the leaders of tomorrow, to add their powerful and unique voices to this call for unity, acceptance and understanding.”
To enter the contest, youngsters must create a poem, of any kind, that expresses how they feel about unity.
Entries are limited to a maximum of 400 words or a two-minute audio/video and the deadline is Friday, February 28.
The winner will receive £100 of vouchers, as well as £500 worth of supplies for their school community.
To submit an entry, visit https://mikehaines.globalactsofunity.com/poetry-competition.
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