North Glasgow Primary School Pupils Buoyed Up

MORE than 100 Primary 6 pupils from three Glasgow primary schools in Milton and Possilpark - Chirnsyde, Saracen and St Monica’s - received special awards from the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty, recently at Glasgow City Chambers.

The presentation is the climax of a unique programme called Buoyed Up, organised by Sir Thomas Lipton charitable foundation.

Lipton, who was born in the Gorbals started a chain of grocery shops and became one of Scotland’s first global entrepreneurs selling his own branded tea. He was also renowned for his perseverance and sportsmanship during five attempts to win sailing’s premier trophy, the America’s Cup, before his death in 1931. He was granted the Freedom of the City of Glasgow in 1923.

As part of the Buoyed Up programme, pupils researched the life of Sir Thomas, learning about sailing, the America’s Cup, and what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Pupils also experienced the ‘World Of Work’ when Chief Executive of V Ships, Matt Dunlop, his senior team and City of Glasgow College staff, lecturers and cadets delivered interactive workshops on maritime life and many different career paths in the shipping industry.

Buoyed Up pupils took part in question and answer sessions too with inspiring speakers.

This year’s ‘Skippers’, River City’s Gary Lamont, sail design entrepreneur Sabrina Malpede and former St Mirren player and manager, Tony Fitzpatrick, all shared their time and life experience with the pupils.

Former Jamaican Olympic track athlete, Anthony Davis, said of his Buoyed Up encounter: “I was particularly impressed by the level of attentiveness of the class and by the kind of questions the pupils asked. It was a pleasure speaking to them about Jamaica and my own personal experience.”

In partnership with the Clyde Cruising Club and the Castle Semple Centre at Lochwinnoch, all of the Buoyed Up P6s learned about the skills and thrills of sailing over 5 days. By the end of the week, beginners had become RYA Level 1 sailors, confident about sailing as a team with other classmates and independently in their own dinghy.

Trustees of the Thomas Lipton Foundation include double Olympic gold-medal-winning Scottish yachtswoman, Shirley Robertson OBE who said: “We are most grateful to the City of Glasgow and the Lord Provost for hosting this reception for our Buoyed Up 2015 pupils. I am sure Sir Thomas would be proud of the connection that Buoyed Up has made with the city as well as with sailing and enterprise. Through Buoyed Up we hope to raise the aspirations of a new generation and offer them a fresh perspective and a real incentive to work hard to seize opportunities in life”, explained Mr Brady. “Sir Thomas Lipton was always enthusiastic, always looking forward, always ready for the next challenge.”

Robert Docherty speaking on behalf of ng homes, one of the organisations who supported Buoyed Up said: “Buoyed up is a fantastic opportunity for young people - I’m sure they will have benefited from their sailing experience and we also hope the inspirational talks from Anthony Davis former Jamaican Olympic Sprinter and former footballer and manager

Tony Fitzpatrick had an impact on the young people also.”

For more information contact: Laurence Brady

(laurence.brady@btinternet.com) Mobile: 0777 84 85 943

Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation

PO Box 26332

Glasgow G76 6AZ

www.sirthomasliptonfoundation.org