THIS month we’re marking Remember A Charity Week.

Many of us would like to be remembered for the things we do that make a difference. What if you could create a legacy that lives on after your passing?

I’d like to tell your readers how in remembering a charity in your will, you can do just that.

I work for Revitalise – a wonderful national charity that provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers.

Our breaks enable our guests to take time away from the stresses and strains of everyday life, to immerse themselves in new adventures, to spend quality time with the people they love and make friendships and memories that can last a lifetime.

But we cannot continue to provide breaks that mean so much to so many without the help of our wonderful supporters.

We rely on the generosity and compassion of individual donors who enable us to continue supporting our guests and changing their lives through the simple experience of happiness.

Our guests will always remain at the heart of everything we do and with your generosity we can continue to touch their lives, often in a way that remains with them forever.

If you would like more information on how to leave a memoriam gift in your will or to leave a lasting legacy, please visit: www.revitalise.org.uk or call: 0303 303 0145. Thank you.

Stephanie Stone, Revitalise.

ENTRIES for this year’s Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs are now open. Eleven years ago, with the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, I set up the award which recognises the many talented, ambitious and inspiring disabled people who have set up their own businesses, charities or social enterprises. The award is also open to start-up and not-yet-registered companies.

I’m now calling for people to apply or nominate someone they think is eligible for this year’s award.

There is a cash prize of £70,000 - the largest of its kind – and the overall winner can invest £30,000 in their business in any way they choose, while another four finalists win £10,000 each.

The 2016 winner, Alex Papanikolaou, a young entrepreneur from Glasgow, won with his Freedom One Life design of a next generation power wheelchair.

Previous winners have been drawn from the building, hospitality and tourism, as well as IT sectors.

This award is open to anyone with a disability – as defined by the Equality Act – which includes all disabilities and long term health conditions.

Apply now or nominate someone, before the deadline on 6th October, by visiting www.leonardcheshire.org/stelios, and liking our Facebook page Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, via e-mail.

THE Stroke Association is calling on budding bakers to get involved in Give A Hand and Bake Week running from 23-29 October 2017.

Every year, people across the Scotland roll up their sleeves and 'bake a difference' for stroke survivors.

The purpose of the months is to encourage people to get out their rolling pin, make their favourite cake and hold a bake sale.

TV chef Rachel Khoo has joined the charity to invite local residents to host their own Give a Hand and Bake sale, all with the aim of raising some funds for the charity and has suggested some recipies, visit www.khoollect.com.

Taking part is as easy as pie. All you need is a generous dollop of enthusiasm and a hungry group of friends! To register and for more top tips, order a Give a Hand and Bake pack. www.stroke.org.uk/gah

Angela MacLeod, The Stroke Association.

I WAS disappointed by your article on exam results in last week’s Reporter and feel I need to respond on behalf of the dedicated teaching staff and hard-working pupils at our secondary schools.

This year’s SQA results are the best ever achieved in West Dunbartonshire with more of our young people than ever leaving school with the qualifications they need to succeed in future.

Across National 2 to National 5, our pupils’ performance is above the national average, this is despite the fact that 40 per cent of our children and young people live in areas of multiple deprivation. We don't believe that should be a barrier to their success.

At Higher, we are just 1 per cent from the national average, and at Advanced Higher just 2 per cent from reaching this.

This is remarkable given the challenges our area faces in comparison to other more affluent areas which we are compared to.

We also continue to lead the way in Scotland for the number of our pupils from deprived areas achieving Highers and Advanced Highers.

The article failed to highlight that across our three secondary schools in Dumbarton and Alexandria, National 5 results improved.

Although there was a focus on Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School, there was no mention of the fact that for Higher results the school’s performance is 8 per cent above the national average and for National 5, performance this year was 6.5 per cent above the national average.

Almost half of the pupils who gained five or more National 5s come from areas classed as having the highest levels of deprivation.

Across West Dunbartonshire we are making progress year on year, and closing the attainment gap.

I believe it’s really important for our young people and our community to celebrate success. It would be great if your paper could give credit where it is due to our schools, teachers, education staff and pupils.

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of Educational Services.