Volunteers across South Lanarkshire have been recognised for their hard work at an awards ceremony.
At the Provost’s Community Awards last week, residents of the area were awarded for their achievements – especially during the pandemic.
The two-day event was scheduled to go ahead on Thursday (February 24) and Friday (February 25) but due to extreme weather conditions, the Thursday awards were postponed until next month but volunteers were recognised at the Friday event.
Provost Ian McAllan said: “This really is one of the highlights of my year – where I get to take part in celebrating the most fantastic achievements being carried out across South Lanarkshire.
“We all try to do what we can to help others but there is a special type of person who goes way beyond that – many call them volunteers – but I prefer to call them local heroes.
“For a second year, this army of volunteers has been going above and beyond as the pandemic continues to affect everyone across our communities.”
He added: “Many of their efforts go unnoticed for years as they help so many people in so many different ways.
“They do it not because they expect or want an award but because they love what they do and the effect it has on those they spend so much of their time with.
“But these awards allow us to give due praise to our unsung heroes. It is just a very small gesture to acknowledge their work.
“A huge congratulations to them all, and on behalf of everyone in South Lanarkshire, thank you so much for everything you do for your local communities.”
A total of 37 residents were nominated by councillors representing their ward areas.
Nominations were made for a vast range of activities including people who work with local community groups, charity organisations, community councils, environmental projects and for those who have worked hard to ensure the most vulnerable people in the community were cared for during the pandemic.
From East Kilbride, Jacqueline Nell was awarded and nominated by councillor Margaret Cooper for her work on turning a neglected area in Strathaven into a community garden.
Pastor David Childs was another winner from the East Kilbride ward and also nominated by councillor Margaret Cooper for his hard work during the pandemic – raising £40,000 to help provide community initiatives.
Another winner from East Kilbride is Alice Alves who was nominated by councillor Colette Stevenson and councillor John Anderson for setting up EK Community Litter Pickers during the pandemic to make the area a cleaner place.
William Arther was another winner from East Kilbride, nominated by councillor Joe Fagan for his work in the community including volunteering at fundraisers, arranging food parcels and supporting service users and families at Lindsay House in East Mains.
Elaine Rinn, from East Kilbride, nominated by councillor David Watson, won an award for establishing the football team Colts who now play in the National Disability league and have three teams all banded for their abilities.
In the Hamilton area, Leigh Barr, who was nominated by councillor Maureen Chalmers, won an award for volunteering at Blantyre Youth Development Team, providing online dance classes for children during lockdown and delivering inclusive learning opportunities to over 70 young people in the area.
Alexander (Sandy) Wilkie MBE DL, was nominated by councillor Mo Razzaq in the wider Hamilton area for his work with local groups, business and charities to fundraise for the Blantyre community.
Joe Mulholland was nominated by councillor Maureen Devlin in the Bothwell area for his hard work in organising the Scarecrow Festival and helping groups fundraise and for his involvement in the Christmas Santa Sledge Parade and Community Fun Day along with others.
Councillor Davie McLachlan nominated Lorna Stewart from the Whitehill area, who was awarded for turning her home into a community kitchen, cooking and preparing hundreds of meals for those in need.
Chris Hatton, also from the Hillhouse area was nominated by councillor Mary Donnelly for forming the Blantyre and Hamilton Litter Picking Group last March. It has since grown and now has 487 volunteers who have collected 1000 bags weighing over 6 tons.
Councillor Mary Donnelly also nominated Dianne McQuilter for assisting the Link Resident Group to distribute food bags as well as helping the group to organise events.
Councillor Alan Falconer nominated Mark Rouse, also from Hillhouse for his involvement with Supporting Our Communities which is a mental health and wellbeing project, he also helped to provide food to the people in need in the community during Covid.
Lorraine Young was also nominated by councillor Alan Falconer for her hard work and achievements as secretary of the community council in Hillhouse, a post which she has held for the past eight years.
Councillor Graeme Horne nominated Marie McNab from Hillhouse for her active work within the community as a volunteer and organiser of events.
Pauline Condie from the Hamilton area was nominated by councillor Joe Lowe for her achievements in caring for the community as a nurse for over 30 years, and she still cares for others and collects for the Kilbryde Hospice.
Both councillor Josh Wilson and councillor John Ross nominated Karen Madden from Eddlewood for her hard work at the Eddlewood Community Action Group, where she has been responsible for bringing people together in the area over the last three years.
Councillor Richard Nelson nominated Liz Armour from Larkhall for working for the Larkhall community and working for Community Links,. Her work during lockdown included helping to deliver meals to the local area.
Further recognition of the value volunteers bring to South Lanarkshire will be shown in the new council budget which will see an extra £500,000 to support the area’s volunteers.
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