𝟰𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆’𝘀
A Glasgow charity worker has returned to her former primary school to celebrate a fundraising milestone – just as she did as a pupil 40 years ago.
Elaine McGinlay from Greenfield posed alongside her headteacher and classmates at St Timothy’s Primary School in 1986 after the school raised money for SCIAF. Four decades later, she returned to the school representing the very charity she now works for.
Elaine is now a Development Education Officer with SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, and her son Matthew, aged six, is currently a P1 pupil at St Timothy’s.
The school recently presented a cheque to SCIAF after raising £500 through its Lenten WEE BOX appeal.
Elaine said: “We are so proud of the school, and it’s so nice to be able to come back 40 years later and to receive the cheque for SCIAF.
“When I was here in P1 in 1986, we fundraised the huge amount of £450, and today in 2026, St Timothy’s have again raised an amazing amount for SCIAF of £500.”
The fundraising effort was praised by Deputy Head Teacher Katrina McDonnell, who highlighted the generosity shown by pupils and families throughout the school community.
She said: “We launched the campaign, just asking for extra pennies, and the classes were reminded how lucky we are here in Glasgow. Sometimes children don’t see how fortunate they are; we are in an area of high deprivation; there is poverty, but not to the same extent as in the countries where SCIAF works around the world. We have free education and free meals, and other communities just don’t have that.
“Yes, there is deprivation in the east end of Glasgow, but they still gave what they could. It’s all about giving what you can and I truly believe everyone in the school gave what they could.
“I think the people of Glasgow are renowned around the world for their generosity and for being very much aware of people less fortunate. The fact is that in the east end, with the cost of living as it is, it’s a really difficult thing, but our parents actively give to charity, no matter what their circumstances are.”
For Elaine, the visit marked a full-circle moment and a reminder of where her commitment to SCIAF first began.
She said: “My love for SCIAF started here in St Timothy’s Primary – I am so lucky to now work for SCIAF. We were always fundraising for SCIAF, learning about people around the world and how we could help others. I’m proud that the tradition is still going strong at St Timothy’s in Greenfield.”
