Caitlyn’s work lands an award

Caitlyn Ross, from Denny, volunteers with Forth Valley Athletics Club, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and her local Brownies group at events in Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Stirling, giving people in sports such as athletics, boccia, darts and swimming the chance to compete. Caitlyn also worked at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships.

The 23-year-old former Denny High pupil has had a busy year, becoming a key member of SDS’s Young Start Programme and its Young People’s Sport Panel. She is also currently looking at opportunities to complete her swimming teacher qualification.

Caitlyn says the reward of helping support others to take part in sport is all the reward she needs: “It feels amazing when you see the difference in the young people you are working with, from what they were like when they first started. The pride you get when they are achieving all the goals you set them, or even when the kids achieve something that seems like a small thing but might be their biggest achievement yet.

“Just seeing them coming and going from your sessions smiling, laughing, making friends, makes it worth all the hard work you put in to keep it running smoothly.

“It also makes me look forward to the next sessions, I wish there were more I could do with them and get more children and young people to come along.”