BY Daniel Harkins | January 9 | 
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Pupils inspired by late teacher’s illness to raise funds for charity’s work for dementia
Caritas pupils from Trinity High School in Rutherglen have collected hundreds of pounds for a charity that combats dementia after being inspired by a former teacher who died last summer.
The pupils, who are enrolled in this year’s Caritas Award, were saddened at the death of Veronica Baker, an English and pupil support teacher at the school.
Following her death at the age of just 63, the school pupils were surprised to find out that Miss Baker had been affected by Alzheimer’s.
The Caritas students began researching the disease and decided to pay tribute to Miss Baker by raising funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland. Fundraising efforts began with an ice-bucket challenge, the global phenomenon that sees ice water tipped over the heads of brave volunteers. Many of the school’s staff who had worked with Miss Baker volunteered to take part, with headteacher Peter Bollen getting in on the act.
Combined with a number of other events held throughout the school, including cake and candy stalls, the Trinity High pupils managed to raise £500 which will go towards helping those with Alzheimer’s.
To show their support for Miss Baker, the pupils invited the late teacher’s family and friends to the presentation of the funds to John Sweetin from Alzheimer’s Scotland.
Kieran Thomson, an S6 pupil, spoke at the presentation about why the senior students of Trinity High wanted to raise the money, and Mr Bollen joined English teachers Ms Mary McCloskey and Mrs Carly O’Neill in speaking movingly about their memories of Miss Baker.
John Sweetin explained to the students how their money would help those suffering from Alzheimer’s, encouraged them to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and thanked them for their generosity.
Trinity headteacher Peter Bollen said that the fundraising was a very fitting tribute to a popular member of staff who he said made a very significant contribution to pupil support.
The family of Miss Baker said they were touched by the thought and the generosity of the students and staff of the school, and Miss Baker’s brother—with the help of his work colleagues—managed to match the money collected by the pupils bringing the total to £1000.
The schools Caritas pupils have been involved in a number of activities since beginning their faith journey, taking part in a Santa Dash for St Andrew’s Hospice last month and gathering supplies for a local foodbank.
—Read the full version of this story in the January 9 edition of the SCO in parishes.
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