Local teenager's long-running charity project wins national award
A 15-year-old pupil at Kyle Academy has been recognised nationally after nearly eight years of collecting and packing Christmas shoeboxes for people facing hardship. The initiative, started when she was seven, has resulted in the delivery of more than 450 shoeboxes and has earned her the title of Young Hero of the Year 2026 at the BBC Radio Scotland Make a Difference Awards.
The teenager has funded the project through a mix of small-scale fundraising, including selling handmade tie-dye t-shirts and using pocket money. Each box contains everyday essentials such as basic clothing, hygiene items and a small treat, intended to bring comfort to recipients during the festive season.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed locally or nationally. In addition to the award, her work has been acknowledged in parliament and she has been awarded a Blue Peter badge. She has also joined Kyle Academy's charities committee to extend her support within the Ayr community.
"I just couldn't believe it, and I am still shocked. It was more special to meet others nominated for different awards who have done all these incredible things. I am so grateful to have won, but we definitely all deserved a trophy."
The project began as a simple gesture and grew year by year. Her mother, who helped keep the nomination secret ahead of the awards ceremony, described her pride but also the difficulty of maintaining the surprise. The family contribution to the campaign has helped sustain the effort across primary and secondary years.
Practical help and wider recognition
The shoeboxes are designed around essential items, reflecting the teenager's awareness of inequality and the varying circumstances of recipients. Speaking about the motivation behind the project, she emphasised wanting to make a tangible difference rather than performative charity.
- Started packing shoeboxes at the age of seven
- More than 450 boxes made and distributed over about eight years
- Awarded Young Hero of the Year 2026 at the BBC Radio Scotland Make a Difference Awards
The campaign has also provided the teenager with practical experience of organising, fundraising and community engagement. She used small-scale commerce—selling handmade items—to underwrite costs, an approach that speaks to creative, grassroots fundraising rather than reliance on large donors.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Age | 15 |
| Boxes packed | 450+ |
| Years running | About 8 |
| Award | Young Hero of the Year 2026 |
Local impact and next steps
Within Ayr, the project has helped raise awareness among classmates and the wider school community about practical ways young people can contribute to social causes. Her election to the school charities committee signals an intent to move from individual action to broader school-led initiatives, potentially increasing the local reach of future projects.
Her mother noted how the teenager has remained committed to the work despite other interests that typically emerge during the teenage years. That perseverance has attracted recognition beyond Ayr, but the focus remains on delivering essentials to those in need.
The story will be familiar to many in the town who see community volunteering as a core local value. For families and organisations in Ayr looking to support similar efforts, the project provides a practical model: modest fundraising, consistent effort and an emphasis on filling needs rather than symbolic gestures.
As the young volunteer moves through her school years, the combination of national recognition and local engagement may open new opportunities to scale her work or inspire peers at Kyle Academy and beyond to take up similar causes.
