Anam Cara Fasgadh Youth Champions
Anam Cara Fasgadh believes that it is vitally important to enthuse, motivate and encourage the next generation of volunteers, and to this end we are delighted to have the young people we have working with us. The charity is dedicated to equipping our Youth Champions with the skills, abilities, knowledge and confidence to advocate for, contribute to, and represent the charity.
Amelie McGuire
Amelie is daughter of Michael and Rachel McGuire and little sister to Kyle.
Amelie was Anam Fasgadh Cara’s first fundraiser, when she collected change from her friends at school, missing out on her lunch in doing so.
In 2024 Amelie and her team proudly represented Anam Cara Fasgadh in Lochaber High School’s Youth & Philanthropy Initiative. The whole team is so proud of this amazing young lady, who has always had such a heart for honouring the memory of her wee brother Kyle.
Noah Simpson
Noah (on the left) is son of Andrew and Susan Simpson, wee brother to Charis & Alex, and big brother to Eilidh Beth. He volunteers as photographer and content maker for the charity.
Noah says, “I am 16 and I am so proud about our first caravan for Anam Cara Fasgadh. I work hard to represent the charity, and love being their photographer.
Alex would be the year above me at school, and Eilidh Beth would be the year below me. My 2nd birthday was just a few days before Eilidh Beth’s funeral. I want to make my sisters Alex and Eilidh Beth proud and to make sure people remember them.”
Charis Simpson
Charis is daughter of Andrew and Susan Simpson, big sister to Alex, Niamh and Eilidh Beth.
Charis says, “My name is Charis, I’m 19 and I’m studying a Marine Science university degree at the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
When I was 2 my sister Alex died and when I was 5 my sister Eilidh Beth died. I have spent my life since then being involved in charities that support bereaved families - I was even interviewed in Gaelic for the opening of the Inverness Tree of Tranquility!
I am determined to make a difference in memory of them and I am so pleased to be a Youth Champion for the charity. It is my hope that as time passes we can bring more Youth Champions on board and that together we can be a voice for bereaved siblings.”
Abigail Bunting
Abigail is 15 years old, daughter of David & Megan Bunting and big sister to Oliver ~ she joined the team of Youth Champions in 2024.
Abigail says, “Poppy’s Place has helped me since losing my little brother Oliver as we started coming here on the anniversary of his death. Poppy’s Place is so peaceful and gives me time to remember the short time I had with Oliver.
I think it’s important to support Anam Cara Fasgadh as it gives anyone who has lost a baby, child or young person the chance to have a break away from the real world and relax in a beautiful place.
I would love to see Anam Cara Fasgadh be able to open more lodges like Poppy’s Place across Scotland to help more families with the death of a child.”
Scott France
Scott is 15 years old, son of Michael & Tracey France, and big brother to Adam. He joined the team as charity’s resident piper in 2022.
Scott started chanter at the age of 7 and got his first set of pipes when he was 12. He is a student of Oban High School and works part time at Kerrera Marina, Scott has always felt the loss of his brother Adam, who would be 2 years ahead of him in school, and continues to keep his memory alive. Scott says he’s extremely proud to be part of the charity.
YOUTH AND PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE
Anam Cara Fasgadh has been working with High School students since 2019 on Youth Philanthropy Initiatives.
In 2021 the amazing S2 team of Oban High School Students, Eva Bonetti, Molly Dougall, Freya Jardine and Matthew Dundas made it to the YPI Final and WON £3000 for Anam Cara Fasgadh. These funds enabled us to start our refurbishment of Poppy’s Place which after delays due to Covid, was eventually opened in May 2022.
In 2022 Cofounder Susan Simpson, Trustee Niki Walker, and Patron Mairi Rogers worked with S5 Oban High School Students Arden Binnie, Beckie Jeffrey, Charis Simpson, Lei Low and Tilly Clark, who produced this presentation.
Out of almost 30 presentations, the S5 team were chosen as one of 3 finalists. Whilst they didn’t win, they have vowed to continue advocating for and supporting Anam Cara Fasgadh. They are working with Anam Cara Fasgadh to establish a Travel Fund for families staying at the caravan.
Arden, Lei, Beckie and Charis - the 2022 YPI team at Oban High School.
The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is a powerful active citizenship programme, empowering young people to make a difference in their communities while developing a range of skills. Introduced to Scotland in 2008 by The Wood Foundation, it has engaged more than 230,000 young people who have taken responsibility for £5m of charitable giving.
YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. Each school is responsible for directing a grant of £3000 to a local charity championed by its students through a unique programme of teamwork, research, and competition.
YPI engages a full year-group of students, developing skills and confidence through a contextualised learning experience. The programme raises awareness of social issues and local charities and is a vital means of devolved, locally driven grant-making.
YPI is managed and principally funded by The Wood Foundation. A dedicated team works closely with all participating schools.
If you would like to speak to a representative from Anam Cara Fasgadh about engaging with your YPI students please email Irene on info@anamcarafasgadh.org.