LORD Jack McConnell, former First Minister for Scotland, has been appointed as chair of Radio Clyde and West Sound’s Cash for Kids charity board.
Begins a spokesperson: “The appointment marks the Rt Hon Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale’s first public post in Scotland since his six years as First Minister (2001 – 2007) and follows his announcement to step back from frontline politics at the Scottish Parliament in August last year.
“This will be the first charitable role in Scotland held by Lord McConnell.
“As the official charity of Bauer Media, ‘Cash For Kids’, supports thousands of children across the regions that have special needs or life limiting illnesses, are suffering abuse or neglect, or simply need a little extra care or guidance in their lives.
“In 2010, Radio Clyde Cash for Kids raised almost £1.4m and helped over 120,000 vulnerable children in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. All the money donated to ‘Cash for Kids’, is distributed through special or sustainable grants to organisations or groups that work directly with vulnerable children.”
Graham Bryce, managing director of Bauer Media Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Lord McConnell has agreed to join the board of Radio Clyde and Westsound’s ‘Cash for Kids’ as Chairman.
“Jack’s commitment to the needs of children is self evident from his long record of public service which spans his entire career, from his days as a secondary school teacher to minister of education, and, of course, as Scotland’s longest-standing First Minister.
“He is a valuable asset to such a worthy cause and will add tremendous momentum to the work of Cash for Kids across the West of Scotland.”
Lord McConnell, said: “Last year, Radio Clyde Cash for Kids helped more than 120,000 of the most vulnerable children in the West of Scotland. This much-needed charity makes a real difference to the lives of these children and over the next few years it will be needed more than ever.
“I’m confident that the generous and caring listeners to Radio Clyde and Westsound will rise to this challenge, and I look forward to leading Cash for Kids to a new chapter in its remarkable history.”
In the last 30 years of appeals, ‘Cash for Kids’ has raised over £21 million and helped more than 1.6 million of the West of Scotland’s most deprived children.
The Hunter Foundation meets all administration costs associated with the charity to ensure that every penny donated to Radio Clyde’s and Westsound’s ‘Cash for Kids’ goes directly to children in the West of Scotland who need it most.
Sir Tom Hunter, trustee of Cash for Kids, said: “Jack’s experience and commitment of and to Scotland is unquestionable and his expertise will prove invaluable in stepping Radio Clyde’s Cash for Kids up a gear.
“Given the continued need against a palpable reduction in funding for those most in need, we need to play an even more effective role in helping and Jack will enable us to do that.”
Some recent Cash for Kids awards include:
- Calum’s Cabin – providing holiday breaks for children and families affected by childhood cancer
- The Centre for Under-fives’ Toy Library – supporting children with physical disabilities through a unique “toys on the road” mobile library
- Clic Sergeant – the musical garden for children cared for at the at the facility in Ayrshire
In recent years, Lord McConnell was appointed by the Prime Minister as a special representative for peacebuilding (2008 – 2010) and has been actively involved in charitable projects in Rwanda and Malawi, strengthening the historic links between Scotland and Malawi.
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