A TALENTED Bankie youngster has scooped a top prize from the local council for raising awareness about dementia.

Rachael Gillies from Kilbowie Primary School nabbed the number one spot as part of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Dementia Awareness Competition.

Pupils were asked to design a poster to raise awareness of the condition, which one person in the world develops every three seconds, and also to promote West Dunbartonshire as a Dementia Friendly Community.

The posters will be used to make residents aware of the condition, while frontline council staff and businesses will receive training on how best to assist residents who suffer from the disease.

The P7 pupil’s striking design, Remember the Person!, was selected from more than 160 entries and gives a stark reminder that people with dementia are still there but they might need some additional help.

Rachael’s creative work wins her a family pass for four to the Sea Life Centre at Loch Lomond Shores and a Chrome Notebook for her school.

Councillor Gail Casey, convener of West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership, said: “Congratulations to Rachael for designing such a colourful, eye-catching design that addresses a very important health issue.

“It’s a great idea to have a competition in our schools, as this is a fun way to get over an important message to our younger residents.

“I am also delighted that our frontline staff and businesses will receive training which will give them a real insight into the condition and therefore helping them to support residents living with the condition.”

Another Kilbowie Primary pupil, P2 Struan Wallace, was also presented with highly commended certificates – as well as P7 pupils Owen Graham from St Mary’s in Duntocher and Ethan MacIntyre from Lennox Primary, in Bonhill – for their creative drawings.

Councillor Michelle McGinty, convener of educational services, said: “Many of our pupils may be aware of the condition and might already have someone in the family with the illness.

“It’s really important to get the message out to children that someone with dementia is still there and although they might forget things they are still the same person and Rachael’s poster gives that clear message.”

Lynn Wells, head teacher of Kilbowie Primary School, added: “We are very proud of both Rachael and Struan and their achievements.”