A selfless Paisley man has been declared a Community Hero for his kind-heartedness and generosity.
Jamie Kerr was delighted to receive the award from Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors, saying he was "extremely grateful" to everybody who voted for him.
The lifelong Paisley resident is a well-kent face having offered up a smile to customers at the Anchor Mills branch of Morrisons where he works.
Members of the public chose the 44-year-old for the award in part due to his devotion to donating blood and platelets – cell fragments in blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding – for the past 15 years.
In 2005, Jamie’s daughter Rubi, died at just six-weeks-old after requiring blood transfusions.
He told Renfrewshire Live: “I started giving blood as a way to give back to the Royal Alexandra Hospital because my wee girl was in the special baby unit.
“Rubi had to receive transfusions of blood platelets. But unfortunately she died. And so, this was just my way of saying thank you to the RAH.”
Jamie has continued to donate blood and platelets regularly for the past 15 years and has made more than 160 donations over the course of his lifetime.
He’s also donated his platelets 60 times, already having received a silver badge from the Scottish Blood Transfusion for his generosity, and is aiming for 100.
Jamie explained: “The Scottish Blood Transfusion, when you donate 100 times, they give you a badge, and it’s called the Ruby badge, which is obviously very special for me.
“I get a high out of it because I know I’m helping somebody. Even before I go, I get that hyper way, knowing that I’m helping.”
Jamie thanked Paul from Mill Magazine for his nomination and everyone who voted for him, and also thanked his fellow nominees for everything they do for Paisley.
Jamie received a bouquet of flowers from Alison Stewart Flower Design, chocolates, prosecco, and a stay for two at the Glynnhill Hotel in Renfrew, including an afternoon tea, evening meal and full Scottish breakfast.
The runner up was Jackie Carter who received multiple nominations all detailing the various ways she has helped her community while Demi Donnell, Jean Gallagher and Lynnie Hendry were all named joint third prize winners.
In total there were an incredible 126 nominations for the awards.
Kenneth Keegan said: “Jamie received almost a third of all nominations.
"Each detailed a selfless person who would make sure everyone was well looked after.
“They described how giving he is, including his platelets donations. He’s always a welcoming face at Morrisons with colleagues suggesting he’s great to work with.
“You could see Jamie makes an impact on everyone he meets with each nomination providing personal stories of how he goes above and beyond.
"He’s always smiling and such a positive person to be around.
“We were delighted to announce Jamie as the winner and he has been nothing but a gentleman in receiving his award.
"In the short time we met, he offered to help with any other community activities we may have, including offering to hand over the baton of community hero to next year’s winner.”
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