Sweet schoolboy's festive treats for children in need

A kind-hearted schoolboy from Aberdeen has collected 150 selection boxes to gift to children in need this Christmas.

Logan Taylor, 11, was inspired to donate the festive goodies through his work with the Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS).

The Kingswells Primary School pupil told STV News: “I wanted to help our local community and ensure that those who may be struggling get a nice Christmas treat, especially children.”

He has already donated 100 selection boxes to Fit Like Hubs and will drop off the last 50 this week.

Logan said: “These hubs have been set up to help provide practical, emotional and financial support to families in Aberdeen.

“I learned about these hubs from my mum’s friend Christine, who we met through our support of AFC Community Trust.”

Logan first got involved with JASS – a progressive learning programme for young people which has been designed to recognise wider achievement – in P6.

Now in P7, he is currently working towards his silver award.

Logan said: “I like the fact that it raises money for charity, it keeps you fit and gets you involved with the local community.”

Just last year, he put his best foot forward and walked around 14 miles from his grandparent’s house in Invergordon to Ross County FC’s stadium in Dingwall.

Logan, who created the fundraiser as he was too young to take part in the Kiltwalk, was given a warm welcome at Victoria Park by the club’s then co-manager Steven Ferguson and captain Iain Vigurs.

Branding it the “Staggie Stroll”, Logan raised £1800 for the MS Society.

He said: “I chose this charity as my grandad has MS and has done since he was 28.

“He is an inspiration to us as he faces the challenges of MS with great courage and always with a smile on his face.”

Logan’s mum, Jeanette Taylor, said she is “constantly and enormously proud” of her son’s fundraising efforts.

She added: “He truly embraces it and gives everything 100%.

“This is something we have always done, but the JASS projects allow us further opportunities to try different fundraising ideas or good deeds.

“For example, we have baked for cake bakes, done litter picks and most recently held a raffle for a Harry Potter hamper. This raised £250, which was split equally between the MS Society and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. We have also supported AFC Community Trust.

“Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Logan and his brother Aiden would attend Pittodrie football stadium and help out with can collecting prior to kickoff.

“These donations went towards the AFC Community Trust and allowed them to continue to offer a great and wide range of services and activities.

“Although the way we can fundraise has changed, we know that now more than ever fundraising is so vitally important.”