Michael Kirkum and the Points of Light award

That this House congratulates Michael Kirkum on recently receiving the Points of Light award from the Prime Minister; notes that this award recognises his work as an outstanding volunteer campaigning to raise money to secure Christmas gifts for children in Crosshouse University Hospital and other children’s groups, which has seen him dubbed as a real-life Santa Claus; applauds Michael for his work over the last decade, supporting local children, spreading joy to those spending Christmas in hospital; appreciates that his work has been so successful that he has expanded his efforts to include Easter as well, which in 2023 saw him completing his twelfth Easter egg appeal; commends Michael’s work with local businesses to help secure donations and his tireless organisation of local collection points for gifts; admires the fact that in 2023 Michael enjoyed this most successful Christmas appeal ever as he reached the admirable milestone of delivering over 20,000 gifts to children; further notes Michael’s fundraising through marathon challenges over the last thirty years through which he has raised thousands of pounds for charity; and commends Michael’s inspiring commitment to improving the lives of children in his community in Kilwinning and across Ayrshire.