Project Scotland Petition

I had the very great pleasure this week of meeting Kimby Tosh a remarkable young women whose life has been changed by national youth volunteering charity ProjectScotland.

Despite ProjectScotland carrying out over 2.2. million hours of volunteering work since its inception in 2005,  last year the Scottish Government chose to axe its funding, casting serious doubt on its future. 

Bill meets ProjectScotland campaigner Kimby Tosh

Kimby felt this was wrong and decided to petition the Parliament to call on the Scottish Government to reinstate its support for this life changing charity. On Tuesday she appeared before the Petitions Committee, of which I am a member, to put forward her case.

During her inspirational and eloquent contribution Kimby spoke of how ProjectScotland, and her placement at a Blairgowrie youth project, turned her from being a troubled young girl into a confident, well respected member of her local community. Former First Minister Jack McConnell and Murdo Fraser, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, attended the committee to speak in support of Kimby’s campaign.

Over 1200 people have signed up in support of Kimby’s petition and the committee has agreed to back it. Having witnessed the admirable work of the charity in my Glasgow Anniesland constituency at ‘The Hut’ in Temple, I will continue to offer my support to Kimby in her quest to save ProjectScotland.