12 March 2004

Charity award for Dino

Photo opportunity 2.30pm, Friday 12 March,Principal's Office, University Tower Building, University of Dundee. (meet Press Officer in reception)

James Sandeman, a local fundraiser for children in Ghana will receive this year's Andy McKinlay award today for the greatest University contribution to charitable activity at the University of Dundee

James, known to his friends and colleagues as Dino, with his wife Jenny and other members of the congregation at St Kilda Road Baptist Church Dundee sponsor children in Ghana. Last year Dino and Jenny went out to Ghana taking with them nearly £3,000 raised by Dino with the help of colleagues in Estates and Buildings at the University of Dundee and some contractors working for the University. With money for the village church roof, pens, paper and sports equipment for the children Jenny and Dino headed to Ghana for three weeks to meet the villagers, see the school, church and disabled centre they are supporting.

While they were in the village of Chechaweree, Dino was adopted as an Ashanti Tribesman of the village. The Andy McKinlay Award is an annual award to a staff member or student at the University of Dundee who has made the greatest contribution to charitable activity during the year. The award is made in memory of the late Andy McKinlay, University of Dundee photographer from 1984 until his untimely death from cancer in September 2001 at the age of 45. Andy was well known and warmly regarded throughout the university community for his unassuming, kindly and ever-obliging manner which often led to him working highly unsociable hours to tight deadlines.

The Andy McKinlay award will be presented to Dino today (Friday 12 March) by Andy's widow Mrs McKinlay.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk