Ozanam Club founder up for award

Apr 10 2008

THE founder of a Lanarkshire-based club for disabled people has been short-listed for a prestigious humanitarian award.

James Lynch, from Uddingston, was nominated for the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award for his role in setting up Ozanam Clubs for adults and young people with learning disabilities.

He has been short-listed for the gong alongside humanitarian-aid surgeon Jonathan Kaplan and film star and UNICEF ambassador Ewan McGregor.

Sixty-five-year-old James said this week that he found it hard to believe he was in the running for the award.

But added: “It is a joy to see the entertainment the young people get through our Ozanam Clubs, and to be recognised for this work through the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is just fantastic.”

James and his wife Cathy started the first Ozanam club in 1989 with one room, a £10 donation and toys from their loft.

The project has since grown to a total of six clubs which include Viewpark, Hamilton, Carfin and Lanark.

The winner of the award will be announced at an award ceremony in Ayr on May 17 as part of the Burns An’ A’ That festival.