Caring Student from Dumfries Wins Prestigious Award
Ellie Haggarty, a 30-year-old BSc Adult Nursing student from Dumfries, has been honoured with the Sir David Landale Prize for her exceptional contribution to the community. The award recognises Ellie’s efforts in combatting loneliness in the town, particularly through befriending an elderly couple in Dumfries. The prize, given annually to a student making an outstanding impact on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries and Galloway, carries a reward of £1,000 and is a tribute to the late Sir David, the founding convenor of the Crichton Foundation.
Ellie’s recognition sheds light on the crucial role of healthcare professionals in rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway, where a significant portion of the population is elderly. Her involvement with the befriending service Food Train Friends since 2017 has not only made a difference in the lives of the elderly couple she befriended but also underscores the pressing issue of loneliness in rural communities. Despite the passing of Bridie, the elderly woman she was initially paired with, Ellie continues to support Alec, Bridie’s husband who now resides an hour away from her.
Grateful for the award, Ellie remains dedicated to her studies and extracurricular activities, emphasizing the importance of addressing loneliness among the elderly. She encourages others to engage with charities and services that support those in need, highlighting the value of even small gestures of kindness. The Crichton Foundation praised Ellie’s commitment to both her academic pursuits and community involvement, aligning with Sir David’s vision of recognizing and rewarding well-rounded individuals.
Currently on placement working with the elderly as part of her nursing degree, Ellie envisions using her prize money for a well-deserved holiday before embarking on her next professional role. Her story resonates with the wider context of healthcare provision in rural areas and the critical role that compassionate individuals like Ellie play in supporting vulnerable populations.
The University of the West of Scotland, where Ellie is studying, offers nursing degrees across various campuses, with resources like bursaries and scholarships available to support students. Ellie’s story serves as inspiration for aspiring healthcare professionals and underscores the profound impact that acts of kindness and community engagement can have on individuals and society as a whole.