Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Lian McCulloch, a Slimming World consultant and yoga teacher from Wishaw, on being selected to run the London Marathon 2027 as part of a nine-person Slimming World team; recognises her personal commitment to raising £3,000 for Cancer Research UK; notes that 37,657 new cancer cases were registered in Scotland in 2024, with 16,352 cancer deaths recorded; acknowledges the work of SMILES (Slimmers Making It a Little Easier for Someone), which has raised more than £30 million for charities since 1997, and wishes Lian every success with her training and fundraising.

That the Parliament congratulates ChemTX, based in Wishaw, on achieving Constructionline Gold Accreditation; recognises that the accreditation reflects the company’s high standards in environmental management, health and safety, and quality assurance; notes that ChemTX was established in 2013 and provides specialist analytical oil testing services to the engineering and energy sectors, including nuclear, renewable energy, hydro, gas and coal; commends the company for its contribution to Scotland’s specialist engineering and energy industries and for building its reputation through technical expertise and high standards; recognises the skills and commitment of the ChemTX team, and wishes the company continued success as it develops its business.

That the Parliament congratulates the 5th Motherwell Girls’ Brigade, which meets at St Margaret’s Church in Muirhouse, Motherwell, on raising more than £1,000 through a silver collection at its annual display for families and friends; further congratulates the arts and crafts club, also based at St Margaret’s Church, on raising more than £300 through a coffee morning; recognises the generosity and community spirit demonstrated by members, families, friends and supporters of both groups; welcomes Bellway’s decision to match the funds raised, resulting in a total donation of £1,425 to Variety, the Children’s Charity; notes that Variety supports disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK through Wheelchair and Specialist Equipment grants, Sunshine Coaches, Great Days Out and Access Intern-supported work experience programmes, and commends everyone involved for their fundraising efforts and contribution to supporting children and young people in need.

That the Parliament congratulates Hugh Black & Sons, which is a family-owned butchers with 13 shops across central Scotland, including in Wishaw, on its outstanding success in the 2026 Scottish Craft Butchers Championships; recognises that it was named Scottish Craft Butchers Scottish Beefburger Champion 2026; congratulates the company on winning the South East Scotland Regional Championship in the Scottish Craft Butchers Black Pudding Championship 2026; notes that this regional success has meant that it has qualified for the Black Pudding UK Champion of Champions competition, which will take place in Perth in spring 2027; commends the skill, craftsmanship and dedication of the Black family and their staff in producing award-winning traditional Scottish products; recognises the contribution that the business makes to communities, employment and Scotland’s independent food and butchery sector, and wishes the company every success in the UK Champion of Champions competition and in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Katie Leung, who is from Motherwell, on being nominated for the 2026 BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for her performance as Lady Araminta Gun in Bridgerton; notes that the Audience Award is the only BAFTA Scotland category decided by public vote; recognises Katie’s successful career, including her internationally recognised role in the Harry Potter film series; notes that Katie is shortlisted alongside Julie Wilson Nimmo, Leah Byrne, Ncuti Gatwa, Peter Mullan and Stephen Libby; celebrates the contribution of Scottish actors and screen talent to the UK and international creative industries, and wishes Katie and the five other nominees well ahead of the BAFTA Scotland Awards ceremony in Glasgow on 15 November.

That the Parliament congratulates Stuart Lyons, who is a lecturer from New College Lanarkshire, on representing Team UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 in Mechanical Engineering: Computer aided design; recognises the years of dedication, training and hard work that enabled Stuart to reach the international competition; notes that he trained at New College and has gone on to work in the engineering sector; recognises the importance of technical education, apprenticeships and Scotland’s college sector in developing highly skilled young people; notes that the UK team comprised 28 competitors competing across 25 skills, and wishes Stuart, and all those who supported Team UK every success in their future careers and endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! on the 30th anniversary of the Tickled Pink partnership, which has raised more than £100 million since 1996 to support people affected by breast cancer; recognises the significant contribution that this fundraising has made towards improving breast cancer treatments, delivering vital awareness and education programmes and providing life-changing support to those affected by the disease; notes that Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place throughout October, with Asda stores across Scotland and the UK participating in fundraising activities; further notes that the main Tickled Pink fundraising weekend will take place on 3 and 4 October 2026; acknowledges the dedication of Asda colleagues, particularly the Asda Community Champions in the Newmains and Motherwell stores, colleagues Kelly Alexander and Bernadette Hart, as well as customers and communities across Scotland and the UK who continue to support the campaign, and welcomes the continued partnership between Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! in raising awareness of breast cancer and supporting people affected by the disease.

That the Parliament congratulates Caitlin Patterson and Susan Campbell, who are members of the Children’s Community Nursing Team at University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire, on receiving the Children’s Choice Award in recognition of their exceptional care, compassion and commitment to a young boy and his family over a number of years; recognises that their support, patience and kindness have helped him overcome challenges associated with his complex medical needs while developing greater confidence and independence; notes that the Children’s Community Nursing Team provides care for children and young people from birth up to the age of 16 in their homes, schools, clinics and other community settings; recognises the breadth of their work, including wound care, medication administration, enteral feeding support and providing training, advice and guidance to families and educational staff; acknowledges that this vital community-based care aims to empower children and young people to be as independent as possible while helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions; recognises that, for Caitlin and Susan, receiving this award is particularly meaningful because it comes directly from a family that they have supported, and commends Caitlin and Susan, alongside the wider Children’s Community Nursing Team, for their dedication to improving the health, wellbeing, confidence and independence of children and young people and supporting their families across Lanarkshire.

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Storytelling Centre on reaching its 20th anniversary in 2026; acknowledges it as the world’s first purpose-built centre for live storytelling and as a vibrant cultural venue in Edinburgh’s Old Town; notes that, since opening in 2006, it has provided a welcoming space for communities, families and visitors to experience and participate in storytelling and the traditional arts; recognises the Centre’s year-round programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events and festivals, alongside its specially curated Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme showcasing storytelling, music, theatre, spoken word and family performances from Scotland and around the world; acknowledges what it sees as the important role it plays in preserving, celebrating and passing on Scotland’s rich storytelling traditions and cultural heritage to future generations; recognises its ownership by the Church of Scotland and partnership with Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS), including its role as a home for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and as a base for TRACS’s work across Scotland and beyond; welcomes the upcoming Scottish International Storytelling Festival, one of the 11 major Edinburgh festivals; notes that this will take place from 21 to 31 October 2026 and bring together storytellers, artists, musicians and audiences from Scotland and around the world to celebrate the rich tradition and enduring power of oral storytelling; believes the Centre’s ethos of openness, inclusion and shared creativity is reflected in the Scottish Traveller proverb, “The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart”; welcomes the contribution made by the Centre, TRACS, performers, artists, staff, volunteers and partners over the past 20 years, and wishes the Scottish Storytelling Centre continued success as it celebrates this significant milestone, as well as every success for the forthcoming Scottish International Storytelling Festival and its ongoing contribution to Scotland’s cultural life for many years to come.

That the Parliament congratulates Lynda Murray, from Wishaw, on raising more than £4,200 for the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation through a sponsored skydive from 10,000 feet at St Andrews Airfield in Glenrothes; recognises that the foundation works to make dreams come true for children and young people living with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions, creating special experiences and lasting memories for them and their families; notes that Lynda was inspired by the memory of her late sister Irene, who encouraged her to live life to the full, to take on the challenge; recognises Lynda’s longstanding contribution to the Wishaw community as a familiar and much-loved lollipop lady at Wishaw Academy and St Ignatius Primary School, and commends Lynda, her family, friends and everyone who supported her remarkable fundraising effort.