Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award

That the Parliament congratulates the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award, which celebrates its 25th anniversary, on, it understands, positively impacting the lives of over 32,500 people; acknowledges the journey of the Mark Scott Award, which was founded in 1998, after the tragic death of Mark Scott in a reportedly unprovoked sectarian attack in 1995, and has sought to challenge the divisions in communities across Central Scotland by bringing together young people from different backgrounds to work together for the benefit of others; understands that it initially empowered 12 young people to develop skills and qualities to help them into further education and employment through outdoor learning and community-based projects, and has since awarded over 3,500 young people from 67 schools, across 11 local authorities within the Central Belt of Scotland, the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award; further understands that 580 community projects have been delivered within local communities, with 156 young people participating during 2022-23; welcomes the Scottish Government’s reported commitment to funding the award, with £1.15 million since 2012 and a further £75,000 pledged for 2022-23; understands that the Outward Bound Trust has partnered and supported the Mark Scott Foundation from the very beginning, and is now fully responsible for developing and growing the award, and wishes all associated with the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award every continued success.