Tuesday July 1st 2025
From left to right, Kirsten Mackay, Sales Advisor from David Wilson Homes, Colin Young, Jackie Young and Debbi McCall, Provost and Volunteering Champion for Midlothian Council
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Colin Young, 67, and Jackie Young, 64, from Dalkeith in Midlothian, have been crowned ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at Midlothian Volunteer Awards, recognising their incredible decade-long fundraising efforts for the Scottish charity, Mary’s Meals.
Colin and Jackie have raised an incredible £37,500 for the international school feeding charity, primarily by knitting and selling scarves, baby blankets and chocolate ‘hats’.
The award ceremony, held at Newbattle Abbey College on Thursday, 29 May, was part of Volunteers’ Week, a national initiative where volunteers across Scotland are celebrated. The annual event offers a valuable opportunity to showcase some of the outstanding volunteering projects taking place in Midlothian.
Reflecting on taking home one of the biggest wins of the evening, Colin says: “We were completely astonished when they announced that we had been chosen as Midlothian’s Volunteers of the Year! The person presenting the award commented that she had never heard such a gasp of surprise! We have never thought about what we do in that context and had no expectations going into the ceremony, but we’re absolutely delighted.
“I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering with Mary’s Meals to go for it. We have made so many new friends along the way, have learned some new skills and have had so much fun. I’d definitely say that volunteering for Mary’s Meals has enriched our lives in so many ways!”
Jackie adds: “Although we were a little taken aback by all the fuss, on reflection it was wonderful to see our work for Mary’s Meals recognised at such a special event. There were so many amazing volunteers from across Midlothian in the room, and it was an honour to be counted among them.”
The couple first discovered Mary’s Meals 12 years ago while watching a television programme featuring the charity’s work in Malawi. Moved by the charity’s impact – providing meals to hungry children to encourage school attendance – the couple felt inspired to take action.
Founded in a shed in the Scottish Highlands, Mary’s Meals provides daily school meals to more than 2.6 million children in some of the world’s poorest communities across 16 countries, including Haiti, Malawi and South Sudan. The charity’s feeding programme ensures that a nutritious meal attracts children into the classroom, where education becomes the key to a brighter future.
Jackie’s knitting journey began when someone offered to pay for a scarf she made as a Christmas present. Instead of accepting payment, she donated the money to Mary’s Meals. That simple act of kindness has since blossomed into an ongoing project, producing more than 410 scarves, 35 baby blankets and an astonishing 6,500 ‘hats’ for chocolates.
Fundraising for Mary’s Meals has now become a true family effort, with both their sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Lucy, and their daughter, Laura, 41, actively supporting the school feeding charity.
Sally Davidson, Supporter Engagement Officer for East Scotland at Mary’s Meals, says: “We are so incredibly grateful for Colin and Jackie’s unwavering dedication and hard work over the past decade. Their creativity, compassion and tireless efforts have made a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many children. Through their beautiful knitting, they’ve raised vital funds that help serve nutritious meals to children who might otherwise go hungry.
“Colin and Jackie’s generosity is a shining example of how small acts of kindness, done consistently and with love, can create powerful change. Their recognition as Volunteer of the Year is so well deserved, and we’re absolutely thrilled to see their impact celebrated in this way!”
For those feeling inspired by Colin and Jackie’s efforts, there are many ways to get involved. Whether it’s knitting, baking, hosting a fundraiser, or simply spreading the word, every action – no matter the size – can make a big difference.
The award was sponsored by David Wilson Homes.
Visit Mary’s Meals’ website www.marysmeal.org.uk to find out how you can sign up to volunteer and support the charity.
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