AN INVERCLYDE teenager has won a top award from the Church of Scotland — just as she prepares to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games.

Ailie MacDougal, 18, was the proud winner of the 2014 Moderator’s Medal following a written competition held to encourage young people to think about spirituality, faith and belief.

Ailie was presented with the gold winner’s medal by the Rt. Reverend John Chalmers, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, on stage at the church’s recent Heart & Soul event in Edinburgh in front of more than 2,000 people.

This year’s theme for the contest was ‘Who is my neighbour?’, because of the Glasgow Games and the independence referendum.

The panel of judges considered more than 200 entries overall in three age categories, with Ailie coming out top in the 16-18 age group.

The Glasgow Caledonian University student and member of the ‘Young Church’ at Old Gourock & Ashton Parish Church also received a certificate and a cheque for £100, as well as a £100 book voucher for her church.

Ailie said it was her experience of Young Church that inspired her to enter. She told the Tele: “I’m very proud to have received the Moderator’s Medal for my entry, which I had spent a lot of time preparing.” The Reverend Ian Bell, interim moderator at Old Gourock & Ashton Parish Church, said: “It is a delight to have such a talented, active, young Christian woman involved in the life of the church.

“She and her brother, Euan, raised funds to go to Rwanda, and on her return gave a report to the congregation.

“She is a credit to herself, her family and to her church.” Meanwhile, Ailie has also been selected as a ‘Clydesider’ for the Commonwealth Games and has been attending training as a field of play volunteer for the badminton event to be played at the Emirates Arena.

She is a keen badminton player and a qualified coach.

Ailie said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the world’s top badminton players.

“I’m also a member of the ‘Clydesider Chorus’ and have been going to rehearsals in Glasgow for the choral performances during the Games.”