Paisley's Giant Stride

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Other Strides were held in Oban, Dunfermline, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness, Strathclyde Park, Dundee and Aberdeen. In Paisley, early morning torrential rain along with a dismal weather forecast forced one or two organisations to withdraw, but by mid-day the sun shone and the birthday celebrations started with a Radio Clyde Roadshow and a variety of activities including:

• street dancing demonstrations by members of the Renfrewshire 'Right To Dance' project
• live performances from 'Go Ask Alice' a young talented Renfrewshire girls’ band
• songs from Liam Cairns,a young singer from Erskine
• Carol Laula, a professional well known Paisley singer

Provost Burns was accompanied by school pupils currently participating in the Prince’s Trust XI School Programme together with participants of a recent Prince’s Trust Team Programme including Stephen Ferguson from Paisley. Stephen’s life was on a downward spiral as a result of drugs, alcohol and criminal activity until he reached a point whereby he felt his life was not worth living. This changed when he became involved with the Trust which has given him a new life with many challenges. Stephen is full of praise for the work of the Trust and says he would recommend it to any other young person who wants to turn his or her life around.

On completion of the walk MSP Hugh Henry performed the ‘cutting of the cake’ ceremony and everyone was given a slice of birthday cake and a soft drink. Thereafter people continued to enjoy the live entertainment and activities including internet bus, train and pony rides, paintball range, climbing wall, tombola, face painting, activities offered by other charities and watching the KeepieUppie King who demonstrated his football skills non-stop throughout the mile long walk.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Renfrewshire, James Wardrop, gave the toast to the Trust on its 30^th Birthday. Local celebrities demonstrating their support for the work of the Trust included Commonwealth Games participants, Scottish hockey 'Players of the Year' and Gordon MacCorkell, TV actor from River City. Professor Ted Milburn, President of the YMCA in Scotland and Stephen Allan, Paisley & District Scout Commissioner also attended the event.

Renfrewshire Council staff provided valuable help and support both with publicity and the organisation of the event. Army Cadets and Venture Scouts also helped out on the day with stewarding, car parking and numerous other tasks.

All in all, it was a great family fun day. MSP Hugh Henry was accompanied by his two grandchildren and Wendy Alexander and her husband attended with the twins. The organisers expressed the hope that they achieved their aim of raising public awareness about the work of the Prince’s Trust Scotland.


Press release: 11 October 2006