A TROON schoolgirl has received an award for her touching Remembrance poem inspired by her great grandpa who died in the War.

Sophie Henderson, a former St Patrick’s Primary pupil, was chosen as the winner of Poppyscotland’s Annual Learning Award.

Her poem ‘In Future Fields’ was written to give soldiers who lost their lives in battle “back their voice”.

Sophie was in primary 7 at the time of writing the poem, aged 11.

She entered the competition set by the Armed Forces charity which asked pupils to reveal what they thought of ‘Future Remembrance’ should look like.

Sophie said: “It is my tribute to all those soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom.

“It is my way of giving those soldiers back their voice in declaring a message of peace to future generations.”

Sophie had her own personal inspiration with the poem, with her great-grandpa lost in the War. She also spoke to others about loved ones they lost.

She added:“When I was writing In Future Fields, I thought of my own great-grandpa who died in the War, and I hope I have made him and all other heroes proud. I have spoken to people about loved ones they have lost, and our local coffee shop, The Poppy Room, has my poem on display.”

Sophie’s former teachers have hailed her “incredibly profound” poem, with a local man in Troon wanting to the poem to be placed on the memorial for Remembrance Sunday.

Lynsey May, the Headteacher at St Patrick’s Primary School, said: “We are delighted that Sophie has gone on to win the National Poppyscotland Competition. The entries from all the contestants were of a very high standard. Sophie produced a wonderfully creative and thoughtful piece.

“A massive thank you to Sophie for the legacy she leaves behind at St Patrick’s Primary and we wish her well in the future.”

You can watch Sophie perform her poem here.