Seamab's children stand on the shoulders of a giant
Seamab’s children and young people were soaring high with excitement after a special visit from one of the UK’s greatest ever basketball players – six foot ten star Kieron Achara MBE.
Since retiring from competitive basketball in 2019, Team GB Olympic hero Achara has focused his efforts on spreading the word of the sport and the positive impact it can have on people from all walks of life.
The 39-year-old Scot, who captained Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics and entered the 2008 NBA Draft, had lots of fun introducing our youngsters to basketball.
Seamab continues to fundraise to enable us to provide dedicated sports and educational facilities for the future through our plans to build a new purpose-built school.
The current school is situated in a former residential property, meaning our pupils do not currently have access to a gym hall. The new school would mean basketball and other indoor games could soon become a regular fixture all year round.
The £5.5 million new school project is backed by some of Scotland’s leading property companies, including the Chris Stewart Group and Thomas & Adamson, 3D Reid, Thomson Gray, Will Rudd and Rybka. Another £2.5m is needed to see the new school become a reality. Achara’s visit is part of a concerted effort by the school to utilise the power of sport to improve the lives of pupils.
Achara said: “More people need to know about the impact Seamab has on people’s lives. My visit will stick with me for a long time. While the children at the school have faced unimaginable challenges, they are incredibly warm. I was struck by their joy and enthusiasm in being involved.
“Basketball has an incredible impact on people’s lives around the world; it can change lives. The sport helps young people build confidence, character and resilience. These pupils deserve access to a gym hall like every other child. We’re excited that basketball will soon become a regular activity for them. “
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Scottish Rugby Legend takes up role as Seamab Ambassador
Chris Paterson, Scottish rugby’s leading points scorer and second-most capped male player, has become an Ambassador for Seamab Care and Education.
The rugby legend has taken up the role to support Seamab’s plans for a new purpose-built school for the children in its care. In his new role, Chris will take an active part in the charity’s fundraising efforts, helping to raise the £5.5m needed to build the new school. Already backed by some of Scotland’s leading property companies who are providing expertise and services to deliver the plans, as well as donations from philanthropists and trusts and foundations, Seamab now has £3m of funding in place and is planning to start on-site later this year.
Touched by the commitment of Seamab and its staff to the challenges they face, Chris, who trained as a PE teacher, will also support the school’s sports and outdoor activities by running rugby sessions with the children. On taking up his role, Chris commented, “Seamab is a small charity but visiting the school you immediately understand the enormity of the role it undertakes and the need for its services. The staff made a deep impression on me. I was struck by their warmth, their patience and how incredibly hard they work with a huge amount of effort going towards getting a moment of joy and seeing children grow and develop."
Seamab CEO Stuart Provan welcomed Chris at Seamab last week when he delivered a training session, which all of the children thoroughly enjoyed. Stuart said, “We are incredibly lucky to have Chris Paterson be part of Seamab supporting our fundraising campaign. He commands a great deal of respect both inside and outside the sports arena and has instantly connected with our children during his visits."
