A MEMBER of Helensburgh’s Police Scotland Youth Volunteers group has triumphed in a national competition against other young people from all over Scotland.

Lauren Macfarlane, 16, from Portincaple, was announced as the national winner of the initiative’s Global Citizenship Challenge at a ceremony at Police Scotland’s Tulliallan training college in Clackmannanshire.

Lauren, an S5 pupil at Hermitage Academy, submitted an idea to teach young people in Africa about Heartstart techniques and street first aid.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's young police volunteers breaking down barriers in their community

She gave a presentation on her idea to a panel of judges including a Scottish Government representative and Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie.

Lauren will now travel to either Malawi or Zambia in June to put her project into action after her idea impressed officials from both countries’ governments, who were also represented on the panel.

She told the Advertiser this week: “I was in shock when they announced my name. I couldn’t believe it at all – it still hasn’t sunk in.

READ MORE: Helensburgh PSYV group in fight to be Scotland's best

“I was very, very nervous beforehand, because public speaking isn’t my strong point. I was speechless when it was announced I was the winner.

“Heartstart is very important to me – I’ve been going to Heartstart training since I was in primary school.

“The trip will last for a week and I’m already really, really excited about it.”

READ MORE: PSYV team digs into the past at Kilcreggan archaeological site

Lauren’s mum Janine added: “I’m so proud of Lauren – she came up with the idea herself and has worked so hard on it.

“She’s so passionate about showing others how easy it is to save a life, and she’s worked hard with the local Heartstart co-ordinator, Sheenah Nelson.

“This is an amazing opportunity for someone so young.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's PSYV team have made great strides in their first few months

“Lauren has come on so much since joining the PSYV group – it’s really built up her confidence and given her so many opportunities, and the adults who work with the group put so much effort in to help her and the whole group.”

Constable Stephen Carr, the co-ordinator of the PSYV group in Helensburgh, said: “It was an amazing achievement for Lauren, who has excelled in our PSYV programme.”

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines