Scottish Catholic Observer

Iain Inglis, an S6 pupil at the school, will travel to a number of African countries with the Journey of a Lifetime Trust (JOLT), a charity set-up to work with disabled or disadvantaged young people.

The ambitious student has now managed to raise £1100 to help fund his once in a lifetime trip.

Iain went through a gruelling selection process after being nominated for the opportunity by his teacher Mrs Kearns and his home link worker Irene Dayer. Competing against several hundred applicants from across the UK, Iain made it through to an interview held at a prestigious private school in England, before winning his place on the trip. Judges said they were impressed with Iain’s personality, enthusiasm and bagpipe playing.

Immediately after finding out he had a JOLT place, Iain started fundraising. In the space of three short weeks he had exceeded his target of £650 through washing cars (above), hosting a staff coffee morning at St Benedict’s, running a bonus ball competition, and working with the school tuck shop.

Susan McNamara, an English teacher at the school, said Iain was very courageous.

“He’s very bubbly and effervescent and very outgoing,” she said. “I think that’s what convinced the judges. He has a very optimistic view of life. All the staff at St Benedict’s, his foster parents, and foster agency are very excited about the trip.”

The journey will involve travelling from the heart of Africa to the Indian Ocean throughout June and August. Iain will travel through Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland and arrive in Mozambique a month later.

The JOLT group of youngsters, who have all overcome hardship, will take in some great and iconic sights such as the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls and the world famous Kruger National Park. They will have the opportunity to go water rafting, and survey the wildlife of the African savannah. In Zambia, the young explorers will camp outside under the stars, listening in the dark to the roar of Savuti plain lions. Iain will trek through the Botswana bush in search of birds and visit a Rhino Sanctuary.

As part of his journey, the St Benedict’s pupil will help orphaned and vulnerable children in Swaziland by working on building a day care centre. The trip will end in Mozambique, were Iain will join an ocean safari before some much deserved rest on the country’s beaches.

On his return, the current S6 pupil intends to take up a further education place studying computing.

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—This story ran in full in the May 30 print edition of the SCO, available in parishes.