Volunteers recognised at annual awards

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Volunteers from across South Lanarkshire have been awarded for their hard work and dedication to helping others at a special awards ceremony.

Organised by SoLVE, the Volunteer Centre for South Lanarkshire, and supported by the council, the awards recognised individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to their community in a wide variety of ways.

At the awards ceremony held yesterday at Chatelherault Country Park, Provost Russell Clearie said: "These awards are a great way to mark the fantastic achievements of the army of volunteers across South Lanarkshire who work tirelessly to help make so many people's lives that bit better.

"The council is very much aware of the true value that the voluntary sector brings to our community. South Lanarkshire would not be the place it is today without their determination and selfless hard work.

"No amount of money can buy the time and effort that you invest in helping others. But, as volunteers, you enjoy the tremendous non-financial pay-back that comes from seeing the positive difference that your efforts make to someone else's life.

"It would be impossible to try and summarise all of your achievements. However, the thing that makes you all especially remarkable is that you do what you do because you love it - not because you are looking for praise or acknowledgement.

"But today we are here to acknowledge everything that you do and to mark your efforts in this special awards ceremony."

SoLVE is tasked with promoting, supporting and developing volunteering in South Lanarkshire.

Ian Barcroft, the chair of SoLVE, said: "We are very fortunate in that we work every day with volunteers and so we hear on a daily basis, what they achieve for themselves, for the voluntary organisations and for our community.

"In every walk of life there are people who stand out. This is an opportunity to recognise our outstanding individuals and groups who give of their time and are truly extraordinary volunteers."

The winners of the five categories of award are:

Young Volunteer of the Year Award (Under 16)
Runner-up - Lauren Rankin (Universal Connections Youth Learning Service)
Winner - Mairi MacFarlane (Rutherglen Universal Connections)

Young Volunteer of the Year Award (16-25)
Runner-up - Samantha Harvey (South Lanarkshire Youth Council and Scottish Youth Parliament)
Winner - David Dunne (Who Cares? Scotland)

Volunteer Group of the Year award
Runner-up - Healthy Valleys 'Combating Obesity Team
Winner - Vertigo Theatre

Long Serving Volunteer Award
Runner-up - Patricia Hunter (East Kilbride Credit Union)
Winner - James Youngson (Hamilton Volunteer Group)

Volunteer of the Year Award
Runner-up - Dorothy McGillvary (Healthy Valleys)
Winner - David Watson (Rutherglen Community Carers)

In addition the judges can also chose a very special volunteer in response to any nomination they felt stands out and deserves special mention.

This year the Special Award went to Harry Smith of the Clydesdale Befriending Group.

Harry, who is 94, has worked to promote the social inclusion of adults with learning difficulties all his adult life.

It was also his vision and commitment which saw the Dale Centre and Dale House built, he was a founder member of Enable and was the main mover in the restoration of New Lanark.