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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Leona Greenan

Celtic superfan Jay Beatty visits Lanarkshire schools to educate pupils on inclusion

Celtic superfan Jay Beatty has been touring schools across Lanarkshire to educate young pupils on inclusion and differences.

The 18-year-old, who has Down's Syndrome, rose to fame when former Hoops hero Georgios Samaras pulled the then 11-year-old from the crown to celebrate on the pitch after Celtic's premiership title win back in May 2014.

Jay quickly became a Parkhead hero who took the chance to teach people about his disability and how it doesn't hold him back.

And last week Jay, of Lurgan, Northern Ireland, was invited to visit St Mary's Primary School, St Patrick's and St Augustine's Primary Schools in Coatbridge.

There he spoke with the pupils about living with Down's Syndrome, inclusion of people with a disability, and how to be kind and respectful of everyone, no matter their differences.

Jay's proud dad Martin, told Lanarkshire Live : "We travel over to Glasgow for most Celtic home games and Jay laps it up.

"From the minute we leave the house to the minute we get to Celtic Park, he loves it.

"He's always happy to talk to people and therefore has no qualms when it comes to standing in front of a room full of pupils and teachers and telling them all about his life with Down's Syndrome and how people can be all-inclusive of everyone.

"Jay just wants to educate people about living a non-judgemental life and being happy.

"He's been through a lot over the years since appearing on television that day with his pal big Samaras and sadly has endured trolling all too often.

"So this is his way of teaching people to just be kind to each other.

"A big thank you to St Mary's, St Patrick's and St Augustine's Primary Schools for inviting us and for a warm welcome. The children were an absolute credit to themselves, their families and to their community.

"We can't wait to come back over and visit some more fantastic Scottish schools."

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