SSAFA Glasgow and Renfrewshire volunteers em-bark on school partnership

21 May 2026

St Joseph’s Primary School students have been working with SSAFA volunteers on a unique design for their very own mini Scottie dog sculpture – part of the Scotties in the City public art trail that will pop up in Glasgow this summer.

The Woodside school was nominated by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, a trail sponsor, in recognition of the school’s military legacy. The primary sits on the former site of Lyon Street, a collection of tenement closes from which more than 200 men enlisted to fight in the First World War, many never to return.

St Joseph’s pupils drew inspiration from their hometown and school community to design their dog, which they have named Joseph. The design incorporates the school badge and tie, dozens of Commonwealth flags, and the infamous cone from Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue, in addition to the SSAFA logo.

The school held a design competition to decide what Joseph would look like, which was won by 10-year-old Maryliza.

She said: “Art is my favourite subject at school and I do arts and crafts at home – I find it really fun. I have enjoyed decorating the St Joseph’s Scottie and incorporating everyone’s different ideas.

“When I told my mum I had won the design competition she was very proud. Now I’m excited to go and see Joseph in Glasgow as part of the art trail. It will be great to go and visit him.”

Scotties in the City is a partnership between public art organisation Wild in Art and cancer charity Maggie’s, and will see 40 giant Scottie sculptures and more than 50 Little Scotties exhibited around Glasgow from June to August.

Wendy Findlay, Chair of SSAFA’s Glasgow and Renfrewshire Branch, said: “Myself and SSAFA colleagues are delighted to have connected with the staff and pupils at St Joseph’s Primary School, finding out more about their Lyon Street legacy and raising awareness of SSAFA support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

“Scotties in the City has been a fantastic means through which to establish a relationship with St Joseph’s that we will continue into the future, honouring the school’s history and championing our Armed Forces community.”

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity exists to make sure that our Armed Forces community never battle alone, and is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need.