The duo behind a charity supporting children going into foster care by giving them a bag of home comforts have been named West Dunbartonshire’s Citizens of the Year.
Fiona and Leighann Hennebry set up Bags Full of Love to ensure the process of moving to a new home was less daunting for vulnerable young people across West Dunbartonshire.
The backpacks provide age-appropriate items, including clothing, small toys, comfort items, and also personal hygiene supplies. The charity’s aim is that no young person arrives in a new setting without items of their own, allowing them to start the placement with dignity and pride.
Speaking at the Provost’s Civic Awards event on Friday evening, Fiona said: “We started the charity after being foster carers for several years and seeing children come into care with literally the clothes they are standing in, and we just wanted to make a difference.
“It is very emotional making up the bags because you know it is probably the worst day of these children’s lives and having this bag is a wee bit of hope for them.”
Leighann added: “We’ve seen kids with next to nothing they could call their own, so we decided we could look into providing something for them to give them a wee bit of dignity when they are put in this situation.
“We don’t get to see the look on the kids’ faces when they open the bag, but we do hear how happy they were from key workers, social services and schools, and that means so much to us.”
Earlier in the night, the charity also picked up an award for Community/Voluntary (Team) Champion at the celebration in Clydebank Town Hall.
They were celebrated, along with local heroes across the area, after being nominated at the 2022 Provost’s Civic Awards.
Members of the public were encouraged to put forward individuals or groups who make a significant contribution to improving the area and the lives of people who live in West Dunbartonshire.
Other award winners across four categories were recognised for going above and beyond for West Dunbartonshire.
Dumbarton-based Lottie Barker was named as Arts and Culture Champion for her work running community arts organisation Clifftop Projects to make the arts accessible to all with clubs and trips aimed at improving mental health and reducing isolation.
The Sports Champion Award was given to the Vale’s own John Joyce, a coach who has given more than four years of his time volunteering in youth football and setting up the first-ever Renton girls’ football team, as well as helping develop boys’ teams.
St Patrick’s Primary pupil, Zoe Neeson, was crowned Youth Champion after she encouraged her mum to set up Look for a Book, a hide-and-seek style game where children can enjoy reading a book and then hide it for someone else to find.
Look for a Book now has over 2,500 followers on Facebook, and has created a real buzz for reading and the outdoors for young children in the area.
In the Community/Voluntary Champion (Individual) category, Colin Hay was named winner as the driving force behind the Linnvale Community Group, volunteering to encourage ideas to improve the area, including organising litter picks and a successful community Gala Day.
Provost Douglas McAllister said: “What makes this inspirational work even more special is that more often than not it is done under the radar without much thanks, and so it has been an absolute pleasure to recognise their dedication publicly tonight, and show them how grateful we all are.”
