Helensburgh teen wins 'volunteer of the year'

Calum Deverill, 18, was awarded the title in recognition of his outstanding fundraising efforts which have raised more than £2,000 to support the charity’s work in Scotland.

This included organising bucket collections in Clydebank and Helensburgh town centre.

The Lomond School pupil also delivered an autism awareness talk to a group of local nursery children and helped the National Autistic Society Scotland encourage MSPs to make Scotland more autism-friendly nation.

Calum decided to volunteer with the charity to help other autistic people in a similar situation to himself, and as a thank you for the support it provided.

The award, which recognises a volunteer’s dedication and commitment, came as the National Autistic Society Scotland celebrated Volunteers’ Week 2018, from June 1-7.

Calum, who was diagnosed when he was aged 10, told the Advertiser: “Volunteering with the National Autistic Society Scotland has allowed me to demonstrate what can be achieved by autistic people, provided the correct support is in place.

“I have developed many skills through volunteering and my confidence has increased – these are skills which I know will be transferable to the workplace when I graduate from university.

“I really enjoy volunteering with the National Autistic Society Scotland and I think my life is richer and more meaningful as a result.”

Fiona McGrevey, branches and volunteering development manager at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Calum is an inspiration and has overcome a number of challenges to help autistic people living in Scotland.

“I’m thoroughly impressed by his commitment and determination to help raise awareness and increase understanding of autism, which affects around 58,000 people in Scotland.

“Like all of our volunteers, he is an asset to our charity and I’m so pleased that we have been able to formally recognise his efforts with our Volunteer of the Year Award.”