Veteran inspired to support school project

A SCHOOL charity project has inspired an ex-serviceman to get involved with its work.

Pupils from George Heriot’s raised money for the Scottish Veterans’ Residence as part of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative.

The money has gone towards kitting the gym out with new equipment, which is really important to the residents as many of them are used to leading active lifestyles being in the armed forces.

Ex-serviceman Sandy Clarke, 61, was so inspired by the work that he wanted to get involved.

Mr Clarke, who toured in Northern Ireland in the 1970s, said: “I stood up in front of hundreds of people and spoke about the Scottish Veterans’ Residence and how it helped me.

“I had never done anything like that in my life. The pupils were such an inspiration to me that it drove me to get up there and tell my story.

“It brought me great satisfaction to be involved. These kids are only young yet they have managed to raise so much money for a good cause.

“You see so much in the news about negative things young people do, but these children were so involved in doing good.”