An East Renfrewshire resident who works tirelessly to ensure children across the area have school uniforms has scooped the local authority’s Provost Award.

The council annually awards a longstanding volunteer with the accolade to honour them for their dedication, outstanding service and the positive changes they make for others.

This year it is Sandra Douglas from Clarkston who has been named as Citizen of the Year 2023 in recognition of her work as the founder and driving force behind Back to SchoolBank East Renfrewshire in Spiersbridge, Thornliebank.

Provost Mary Montague told the Barrhead News: “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 her 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. ”

The initiative 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.

The fundraising efforts led by Sandra have ensured that this charity, which is based on the concept of a food bank, has continued to expand.

Sandra dedicates the majority of her spare time to the cause and 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 organisations with all children remaining anonymous.

Sandra, 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 heart-warming 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.

To find out more about the support available click HERE.