24/06/2010 News!! Dame Kelly salutes first ever TES lifetime achievement award

Andy Byrne a South Lanarkshire PE teacher has won the top honour for a lifetime’s achievement in the first UK-wide TES Schools Awards, presented by Dame Kelly at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Dame Kelly  who was delighted to present this first ever award, said:

"I think Andy is an inspiration. I know the impact a teacher can have on a young person's life as I have always thanked my PE teacher Debbie Page for setting me on my path to success. I am really pleased that I was able to present him with this award.”

Alan Byrne is no stranger to Scottish teachers and pupils, having worked with thousands of them in his 40 years as a PE teacher. For 27 of them, he has taught at Stonelaw High, putting the school firmly on the national map with countless sporting victories.

In the past year alone, Stonelaw produced four Scottish Cup-winning teams in volleyball (two), cross-country and football, and seven internationalists from six sports. Three of the current Scottish volleyball team come from the school.

On top of that, Mr Byrne, whose teenage daughter died 15 years ago after years of 24-hour care, has helped other similarly-afflicted families and managed to fundraise over £80,000 for charity.

Dame Kelly and Julie Whelan CEO of the DKH Legacy Trust  were attending  the TES awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel because the Trust was chosen to be the charity beneficiary. Both were overwhelmed at the generosity of those attending and the interest in the Trust's Get on Track programme.

Dame Kelly shared with the audience her excitement about the forthcoming launch of the latest Get on Track project, sponsored by Morgan Hunt, on the 13th July in Southwark


Well done Andy from everybody at the DKH Legacy Trust!

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