TWO Inverclyde school pupils are benefiting from a special scholoarship set up in memory of a Port Glasgow charity champion.

Amaris Barnes, of  Notre Dame High, and Grace Johnstone, of Port Glasgow High, have both been awarded funding from the Margaret Sneddon Scholarship.

Ninety-three-year old Margaret devoted her life in later years to helping youngsters in the community and was a great support of Children in Poverty Inverclyde.

Charity chairman Pat Burke wanted to leave a lasting legacy in Margaret's name following her passing in December last year.

Now both former sixth year pupils Amaris and Grace will receive financial support from the fund to help with their university studies.

Mr Burke said: “The scholarship recipients, selected by Port Glasgow High School and Notre Dame High School, are very worthy beneficiaries.

“Margaret's heart would be bursting with pride at this recognition of her immense generosity and the legacy of a scholarship in her name.

“I was introduced to Margaret by our former trustee Sonny Graham three years ago and Margaret ranks as one of our charity's best ever. Immediately, we gelled, leading to a wonderful and fruitful relationship for our charity.

“Children were at the forefront of Margaret's thinking and she was very passionate that her generosity was used to enrich the lives of children locally whose parents were experiencing difficult challenges daily.

“The Margaret Sneddon Scholarship is a very appropriate and noteworthy legacy for Margaret.”

Amaris, who is hoping to study law at Edinburgh, and Grace, who is planning to study pharmacology at Strathclyde are the first to benefit.

Port Glasgow resident Margaret gained a reputation for being a ‘daredevil’ in her charitable pursuits, which included a near 200 ft abseil when she was in her 80s.

In 2022, Margaret fulfilled a lifelong dream of racing down the Clune Brae in a motorbike and was named Senior Champion of the Year at the Greenock Telegraph’s Community Champion Awards last year.

Both recipients were presented with plaques and will receive £1,000 each to assist with university costs such as travel and purchasing books.

Ruth Binks, Inverclyde Council’s director of education, said: “This is a really thoughtful gesture in memory of someone who not only made a lasting impact on the Inverclyde community but was also ambitious for our young people.

“It is fitting that Margaret’s legacy of helping others will continue with this scholarship.

“Congratulations to Amaris and Grace on being the first recipients of this prize.

“With support from their respective schools, they have both worked incredibly hard to get to this stage where they are preparing for university and the support provided through the scholarship and it will ensure they get off to the best possible start with their studies.”

A ceremony took place recently in the Provost’s Room within Greenock Municipal Buildings to present Amaris and Grace with their prizes.

The pupils were joined by their families and head teachers.