Monday 25th May 2020

Sarah Carstairs named SSS Volunteer of Semester for semester 2

Carstairs, President of QMU’s Sapphires Cheerleading Club, has been awarded this past term’s Volunteer of the Semester for her continuous dedication to volunteering within student sport during the early months of 2020.

This past semester, Sarah and the Sapphires held the QMU’s Cheer Showcase – a Cheer and Dance competition attended by over 400 students from across Scotland. The club raised over £3000, of which £300 was donated to the local Dalkeith Men’s Shed, a community outreach programme promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for men of all ages. Sarah continued to attend meetings throughout the semester, forging a long-term partnership with the charity, going far beyond a one-off donation.

In addition, Sarah initiated a change to her club’s annual social event based on the popular TV show, Take Me Out, to promote an inclusive environment for all of those taking part by adding two LGBT+ rounds for the first time in the club’s history.

When asked about her experience volunteering, Sarah stated: “I have had the most amazing time being a member of the Queen Margaret University Cheerleading Squad. The experience I had as a part of this team made my time at university unforgettable. My positions within the team allowed me to increase opportunities for students within the club, which gained more recognition for the sport and enhanced the university experience for others.

On behalf of the SSStribe, we would like to say congratulations to Sarah for all her efforts to promote inclusion and continue to build strong community ties in her area – keep up the great work!

Volunteer of Semester – 2020/2021

Does your institution have a committed student volunteer just like Sarah? Why not submit their details for our next Volunteer of the Semester award?

The winning student will receive a £50 Amazon voucher as well as have a profile piece published by Scottish Student Sport.

For more information on the upcoming award for the 2020 – 2021 academic year can be found here.

For more information or if you have any general enquiries, please contact Development and Competitions Assistant, Leah Davidson.

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