SCHOOL chums have been invited to gather in Drumchapel to enjoy memories old and new while raising cash for charity at an upcoming school reunion.

The event will bring together former pupils from the 30-year history of Waverley Secondary School and is the brainchild of local man Jason Thompson.

No stranger to organising successful fundraising events, the 40-year-old climbed Mount Everest in aid of Yorkhill Children’s Charity last year. He also organised a reunion last year and following its success, is looking to make the 2016 event even bigger.

Jason, a partner business manager at HP, told the Post: “The reunion is already promising to be a terrific event.

“It’s wonderful when you can bring people together who haven’t seen each other for decades. It’s important to let people know about it now so they can organise travel arrangements because some will be coming from as far away as USA, Canada and even Australia to get back to Drumchapel.

“Sometimes people can be a little apprehensive because they may have changed over the years but that all disappears when they start catching up and having a laugh about years gone by. Last year was great but it went by so quickly so this time, we’re going to make a full weekend of it.” Scheduled events include a school reunion night in Goodyear Social Club on April 29, 2016 for those who attended Waverley Secondary, which amalgamated with Kingsridge Secondary to form Drumchapel High School in 1992.

The following night, a comedy evening will take place hosted by Glasgow comedian, Rob Kane.

With 450 tickets available for the reunion and 270 for the comedy night at £7 each, Jason explained the weekend would help raise money for the Scottish Huntington’s Association, Drumchapel Food Bank and the G15 Youth Project.

“The organisations are all very close to my heart,” the married dad-of-one said. “My uncles on my mum’s side all died of Huntington’s, it’s a horrible disease which takes its toll on a person both physically and mentally.

“The more money we can raise to help those suffering and to carry out more research into this horrible condition, the better.” Jason, of Summerhill Drive, added: “I’m also determined to help out local organisations.

“Drumchapel Food Bank and the G15 Youth Project are so important to the local area and they deserve all the assistance they can get so I can hopefully raise £1,000 for each group.

“I always say that if you can give back to someone, then you should do it. If I can use my skills to help put on an event where people have a great time and raise lots of money for charity in the process, I’ll be delighted.” The Drumchapel man has called on any local organisations which may be able to assist with raffle prizes for the events to get in touch.

Anyone who can help should call Jason: 07940 168253. More information is available by logging on to Facebook and searching for Waverley Secondary School Reunion 2016.

ORGANISATIONS set to benefit from Jason’s fundraising efforts have spoken of their gratitude.

Oonagh Brown, development worker at Drumchapel Foodbank, said: “The Drumchapel Foodbank is delighted to be included as part of this fundraiser.

“We really appreciate this type of support from the local community. All contributions made to us from this event will go towards supporting people in the local and wider community facing financial crisis.” Another charity set to benefit is the G15 Youth Project. Peter Divers, of the organisation, added: “We’re delighted and honoured to be one of the chosen charities to benefit from the fundraiser, especially when times are extremely difficult for all charity-based organisations.

“To receive this support at a community level is a great way to help sustain youth provision in the Drumchapel area for our most vulnerable young people.

“We would love to take this opportunity to thank Jason Thompson and all involved in making the fundraising event a possibility.”