Dunblane school receives military charity's Recognition Award

To formally acknowledge extra endeavour, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity in Scotland, the Regional Recognition Award (RRA) was established earlier this year.

So far, the RRA – a specially commissioned SSAFA Scotland Region engraved shield – has been awarded to individuals, be they volunteers or staff, for their sterling contributions to the welfare of serving personnel and veterans, and their families.

But in a break with this new tradition, the RRA has been awarded to a school. Queen Victoria School in Dunblane has received this major accolade to mark the very successful collaborative production of Archie's Issues, sponsored by SSAFA with The Collaborative Veterans in March 2023.

The production of Archie's Issues was hailed as "... a triumph..." by theatregoers, and the effort by pupils and staff of Queen Victoria School was critical to its success.

Graham Meacher, SSAFA's Scotland Regional Chair, said: "The support, interest, enthusiasm, and creativity displayed by Queen Victoria School pupils and staff in the production of Archie's Issues made making the school a collective recipient of the Regional Recognition Award an easy decision.

"Quite simply, without them, the production would not have been the success it was, and so it is entirely fitting that SSAFA in Scotland recognises their superb effort, and we plan to build on the excellent relationship established."

The presentation was made at the dress rehearsal for The Grand Day at Queen Victoria School in the presence of Sarah Chester (Executive Producer), Liz Miller and Billy McWilliam representing The Creative Veterans, Mary Kenyon (Chairman SSAFA Forth Valley), and Headmaster Donald Shaw in front of the school body.

The next Regional Recognition Awards will be announced in August.

For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk/scotland.