THRILLED schoolgirl Laura McEwan was overjoyed when she became the proud owner of a platinum disc awarded to Paisley singing sensation Paolo Nutini.
Laura, who is a Third Year pupil at St Andrew’s Academy in Paisley, got her hands on the treasured keepsake after her dad won it at a charity auction.
The platinum disc – forged by Atlantic Records – celebrates the sale of one million copies of Paolo’s first album These Streets, which shot to number one in the UK charts and helped him to achieve fame around the world.
Only one other copy of the special CD exists and that is owned by 22-year-old Paolo himself.
The talented Buddie is a former St Andrew’s Academy pupil and he donated the coveted disc to help raise funds for the Barrhead Road school’s Uganda project.
It was auctioned, along with other items, at a charity dinner to help the trouble-torn African country.
On the night, more than £8,000 was raised for the Uganda project – and this means that, in total, more than £45,000 has now been gathered in by the caring St Andrew’s Academy pupils and staff to help build classrooms in the village of Kikumba.
In June this year, a group of 24 students and five staff from the Paisley school travelled to Uganda to see at first hand how their money is being put to good use.
Paolo was due to present the platinum disc to Laura but he was touring America at the time – so his dad Alfredo and mum Linda stepped in to help out.
Tony Quinn, headteacher at St Andrew’s Academy, said: “Laura was thrilled to get her hands on the special platinum disc.
“At the time of the presentation, Paolo was in America touring, so he wasn’t able to hand over the disc to Laura in person, but his parents were on hand to present the disc instead.
“We are very grateful to Paolo and his mum and dad for this kind donation. As well as helping to raise much-needed funds, it also raised the profile of the Uganda project in the community.”
Linda, whose family runs the popular Castelvecchi chip shop in New Street, Paisley, said: “Paolo was only too happy to support the students of his old school in this worthwhile venture.”
