An Aberdeen schoolboy has won an award for helping people in need – and now he is on a mission to feed the homeless.
Ryan Bannerman was just 11 when he started helping out at the Future Choices community group, which lays on social activities for disabled people in the city.
Now 13, the Gilcomstoun Primary School pupil has been awarded a Saltire Ascent certificate recognising 50 hours of volunteering with the community.
After being praised by Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart for his selflessness, Ryan said the only thanks he wants is for people to give him McDonald’s Monopoly tokens.
He explained: “The tokens can be exchanged for meals and we can then give those meals to the homeless.
“We want to donate as many meals and drinks to people in need as possible and I am getting a lot of help from Future Choices and Aberdeen Street Friends.
“People always seem so surprised that someone at my age can give up their time to help others but, to me, I just enjoy helping people and putting a smile on their faces.” Last year, Ryan collected 150 tokens and wants to beat that total this time around.
Keep up to date with the latest news with The Evening Express newsletter
Explaining what inspired him to help at Future Choices, Ryan said: “My brother Lewis (who is now 17) helped out there and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. It’s nice to be nice.”
Mr Stewart, who presented Ryan with his volunteer award, said: “Ryan is doing a power of work for the community and deserves to have that recognised.
“He sets a wonderful example to his peers and everyone else.”
Future Choices chairman David Forbes said: “The brothers are great lads and have done so much to help others.
“Ryan has done wonderfully well – to come to us aged 11 and put in all these hours is great.
“I really hope people can donate their McDonald’s tokens so he can help more people.”
If you have spare tokens, you can write to Future Choices via future-choices.org.uk or call into Inchgarth Community Centre on Tuesdays from 11am to 2pm.