Latest news with #DuncanrigSecondary
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots boy who suffers ten seizures a day due to drug-resistant epilepsy set to start high school
Cole Thomson takes lifesaving cannabis oil to combat crippling seizures, which costs £2500 per month for a private prescription. Brave East Kilbride boy Cole Thomson will mark a major milestone in his life this week– starting high school. He lives with a severe form of drug-resistant epilepsy and needs cannabis oil to keep his crippling seizures at bay. Cole, 13, relies on the medical cannabis to stay alive and a private prescription costs £2500 per month. His mum Lisa Quarrell has campaigned tirelessly to fundraise the huge amount. She said: 'Starting high school on Thursday, I can't believe it. He's buzzing, really excited.' Cole, who is starting Duncanrig Secondary in East Kilbride, was suffering up to 10 spasms and seizures a day at one point. And on the huge fundraising effort, Lisa added: 'All I know is that I don't want Cole to go back into his wheelchair and I want him to have the best chance at high school as he can." Cole underwent brain surgery at three but suffered cortical dysplasia – a brain defect that sadly means the youngster will have to battle seizures for the rest of his life. But he will start an exciting new chapter in his life on Thursday when he walks through the gates of Duncanrig for the first time. His mum Lisa Quarrell said: 'He spent a lot of time going up and down to Duncanrig just making sure he was comfortable and it was the right fit. He really likes it, he'll be doing part of his classes in the base and part in the mainstream.' Cole previously attended Canberra Primary, and Lisa said that it was 'a great school'. She said: 'He had to repeat P1 so he's starting high school a year later. I had to fight to get him in Duncanrig, originally he was given a place in Sanderson High. As much as Cole has got a disability, he's very social and likes to get out and play, does his taekwondo, he does his boxing. 'I had said that I wanted him to go to Duncanrig base because I felt that was a better fit and at Duncanrig there is also the option of him going into the mainstream and it being split, so he has a taste of both, depending on how he copes. 'Definitely when I went up to see it and I sat down with the head teacher, they were absolutely brilliant, they took me through all the different options and showed me round the school, and the school's fantastic. 'They've just recently built an outdoor classroom, and they've got their own wee playground and there's loads of stuff for the kids. It's definitely a better fit for Cole.' Mum-of-two Lisa has been campaigning tirelessly for six years to have her youngest son's lifesaving medical cannabis prescribed on the NHS, raising more than £100,000 to fund the drug. Cole's Campaign was set up to help fund the East Kilbride boy's medicine which has transformed the youngster's life since taking the drug six years ago. Since taking a daily dose of the cannabis oil Bedrolite he became seizure-free and went from being confined to a wheelchair with limited speech to excelling in taekwondo. Lisa said: 'Unfortunately he's not been great over the summer with his seizures, they've been quite bad.' There were some issues with the supply of the cannabis oil and Lisa said: 'He was going without it for a few days, and that happened three or four times, and that's really dangerous. So his private consultant had said we'll put him on a like for like oil, see how he copes. 'Kids like Cole, especially drug-resistant epilepsy, you can't be without your medicine. It's really important that they get the same brand, the same amount and it's constant, they never go without it, because it can be deadly. 'We tried the like for like oil from March, it's significantly cheaper, So instead of £2500 every 28 days for Bedrolite it's £820 every 28 days but it's not working as well and over the last couple of months we've noticed an increase in seizures.' Lisa said: 'The Scottish Government have said they are looking into alternatives and to see what they can do. I've worked closely with the health minister and he seems really good, Neil Gray. 'He's been very like, 'I'm not gong to make you false promises, I'm going to see what I can do, see what we can deliver and then we'll come back to you'. 'They've been in recess, they come back September I think and we'll pick it up from there.' The Scottish Government continually say that while they have 'enormous sympathy' for Cole Thomson and his family, the regulation, licensing and supply of Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal Use (CBPMs) remain reserved to the UK Government and it has 'no power' to alter this. Lisa added: 'The cost of living crisis just now has just made it really really difficult, we've never struggled the way we've struggled this past year and a half financially. 'We've kind of tapped into everything that we possibly can and the well is dry as they say and I'm kind of out of ideas apart from starting again. 'All I know is that I don't want Cole to go back into his wheelchair and I want him to have the best chance at high school as he can and I know that the only way to do that is get him back on his Bedrolite and keep him on his Bedrolite. So I've got a duty as his mum to find the money and find a way.' If you can help, contact Lisa on lisaquarrell26@ or 07825 252523, or on Facebook.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
East Kilbride pupil takes top prize in environmental journalism competition
Alana's entry, A View Across the Clyde, was selected as the winner in the Single Photo: 11 to 14 category. A Lanarkshire schoolgirl has taken the top prize in a national environmental journalism competition. Alana Loy, a pupil at Duncanrig Secondary in Lanarkshire was honoured in environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful's Young Reporters for the Environment competition. Alana's atmospheric entry, A View Across the Clyde, was selected as the winner in the Single Photo: 11 to 14 category. Catriona Rae, Senior Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: 'Every year we are blown away by the amazing entries we receive from young people all over Scotland who show just how passionate they are about environmental issues through writing, photography and videos. 'It's never easy to select a winner out of such brilliant submissions and the wider Keep Scotland Beautiful team all cast their votes to choose who deserved the top prize. 'I'd like to congratulate Alana – as well as all our other winners and entrants – for their fantastic pieces. We have been running this competition for a number of years now and it's amazing to see such continued passion and enthusiasm from young people all over the country.' Young Reporters for the Environment is an environmental journalism programme and competition that gives young people the opportunity to speak on environmental issues they feel strongly about through writing, photography, and videos. Thanks to sponsorship from HP, winning entries in the Single Photo category will be published in our first ever Keep Scotland Beautiful calendar, celebrating the diverse beauty of Scotland, from towns and villages to hills and fields, school gardens, allotments and parks. Each winning photographer will receive a cash prize of £25 along with a copy of the calendar. This year the charity is celebrating 30 years of Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment, with visits to schools across the country. Their Climate Action Schools programme, funded by the Scottish Government, provides a positive driver and demonstrator for schools towards achieving Target 2030. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Sky News
20-05-2025
- Sky News
Kayden Moy death: Suspect appears in court charged with teenager's murder after beach stabbing
A teenager has appeared in court charged with murder after a 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a beach in North Ayrshire at the weekend. Kayden Moy, 16, was found seriously injured following a report of a disturbance at Irvine Beach on Saturday evening. The victim, from East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, received medical care at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he died on Sunday. Police Scotland arrested and charged a 17-year-old boy in connection with the incident. The suspect, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, has been accused of murder, carrying an offensive weapon in a public place, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The teenager, from East Kilbride, made no plea to the three charges when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday. He was remanded in custody and is due back in the dock within the next eight days. Specially trained officers are continuing to support Kayden's family. In a statement previously released through the force, his family thanked all those who have shown support. They added: "He was loved by so many, and that is shown in the huge number of heartfelt messages we have received since his death." Kayden was a former pupil at Duncanrig Secondary School, with his ex-headteacher Annette Alexander describing him as a "kind and caring young man and full of character". Busby AFC, where Kayden played in the youth set-up for several years, has launched a fundraiser for his family. More than £11,000 has been raised as of 4pm on Tuesday. Meanwhile, an online portal has been set up to allow members of the public to submit information directly to officers investigating the incident. Detective Chief Inspector Campbell Jackson said: "We have a dedicated team of officers working on this investigation and I am again asking anyone who may have information which could help us and who has not yet come forward, to please contact us.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
Tributes to ‘kind' 16-year-old who died after beach disturbance
Tributes have been paid to a 'kind and caring' 16-year-old who died following reports of a disturbance on a beach in Scotland. Kayden Moy, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was found seriously injured on Irvine Beach after police were called to the area at about 6.45pm on Saturday. He was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of Sunday. Police said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident in North Ayrshire. Kayden had been a pupil at Duncanrig Secondary School in East Kilbride where the school community paid tribute to him. Annette Alexander, headteacher at Duncanrig Secondary School, said: 'We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our former pupil, Kayden Moy. 'Kayden was a kind and caring young man and full of character. He touched the lives of many within our school community. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Kayden's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'He will be greatly missed, but he will always be remembered with affection in our school.' The 16-year-old was a former youth player for Busby AFC where those involved in the club have been left 'devastated' by his death. In a statement posted on social media the club said: 'Kayden played in our youth set-up for several years and it has hit everyone hard.' The club has set up a GoFundMe appeal in memory of the teenager, which has already raised more than £6,400. The statement added: 'We are aware that nothing will ever replace the life of an individual but we hope that this fundraising will help Kayden's family at this extremely difficult time.' A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: 'This has been a tragic event and our profound sympathies go out to Kayden's loved ones. 'We are very much aware that it will have a wider impact on many people, including a number of our pupils. We will work with school staff to ensure that all appropriate supports are in place for anyone who needs them. 'We will, of course, also provide every possible assistance to Police Scotland as they carry out their investigations.' Police said 'several' people are believed to have been filming on their phones around the time of the incident and have urged anyone with information or footage to come forward as investigations continue. Detective Chief Inspector Campbell Jackson of the Major Investigations Team said: 'An extensive investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding this death. 'Our officers are supporting the boy's family at this very difficult and heart-breaking time. 'From our investigation so far, we know there were a number of people on the beach around the time of the disturbance. We believe several of them were filming at the time and may have footage of what happened. 'I would urge people to review the footage they have and contact police if they think the footage captured could be of significance to our investigation.' Detectives have set up a website where people can access a form to send information directly to the major investigation team, and anonymity can be maintained. The portal can be accessed at Police Scotland can also be contacted on 101 quoting incident number 3106 of Saturday May 17 2025 while Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tributes to 'kind and caring' teen killed in beach stabbing
Tributes have been paid to a "kind and caring" 16-year-old boy who died after a stabbing on Irvine Beach at the weekend. Kayden Moy, from East Kilbride, was in a disturbance involving a large group of teenagers at 18:45 on Saturday. He died in hospital on Sunday. His mum Ashley posted on social media that the death was a "devastating loss" for the family. Police Scotland said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested over the incident. More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland More stories from Scotland The force said a large number of people were on the Ayrshire beach on Saturday - one of the warmest days of the year in Scotland - and may have filmed footage of the incident. Kayden's mum Ashley thanked customers on the Facebook page for her beauty therapy business for sending messages of support. She said: "Paul and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of heartfelt messages we've received. "Your kindness has provided so much comfort during this incredibly difficult time as we navigate the devastating loss of our son, Kayden." The teenager was remembered by staff at his former school, Duncanrig Secondary, as being "full of character." Annette Alexander, head teacher at Duncanrig Secondary in East Kilbride, said pupils and staff were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident. She said: "Kayden was a kind and caring young man and full of character. He touched the lives of many within our school community. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Kayden's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. "He will be greatly missed, but he will always be remembered with affection in our school." The teenager previously played for football club Busby AFC, which has launched a fundraising appeal for Kayden's family. It said in a statement: "The Club was devastated to find out that Kayden Moy sadly lost his life recently after being the victim of a knife attack. "Kayden played in our youth set-up for several years and it has hit everyone hard. "We are aware that nothing will ever replace the life of an individual but we hope that this fundraising will help Kayden's family at this extremely difficult time." South Lanarkshire Council said the local authority would offer support to school pupils affected by the death, which it described as a "tragic event". On Sunday, Kayden's father Paul had called his son "my best friend" in a post on social media. He wrote: "My first born son, my big boy, my best friend, my main man, my everything, rest easy my boy." Tributes on social media from friends called the teenager "one in a million" and said he would be hugely missed. Social media posts suggested dozens of teenagers had been among those who witnessed the incident on Irvine beach. Members of the public with any information about the death are being urged to contact Police Scotland with details. Teenager arrested after beach disturbance death
