08 December 2017
Nominate now for Inspiring Aberdeenshire
Nominations are open for the 2018 Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards.
• Celebrating the outstanding work and achievements of individuals and groups across the area
• Now into its sixth year
• 160 guests will celebrate the finalists and winners in style at Haddo House on June 15 2018
• Since it started, more than 50 awards have been handed out.
• Nominate and be in with a chance of winning a prize too.
Inspiring Aberdeenshire celebrates the very best of what makes Aberdeenshire great and promotes the unsung heroes of the area who help make Aberdeenshire tick.
The awards will be held in June at Haddo House and there are refreshed categories this year to make sure a wider range of community work can be recognised.
Nominations are open now and will stay open until 16 February 2018, so you have plenty of time to prepare a nomination that does your nominee proud.
Nomination check list
Go to survey monkey - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Inspiring18
Must include your nominee's details
Must include your details
Must include a detailed explanation as to why you are nominating, and why your nominee makes a difference
Other things to consider, do you have pictures to include? Video testimonials?
As a thank you, everyone who puts in a completed nomination will be entered into a draw to win a three month family Active Aberdeenshire pass. This pass will give the winner and their family access to all Aberdeenshire Council swim and gym facilities, including classes. *Details in notes.
Cherry Hudson won the Young Leader award at the 2017 Inspiring Aberdeenshire ceremony. Speaking just before this round of nominations opened she said: "It was lovely to be recognised for everything that I do. Since the awards I have continued with all my voluntary leadership work and am currently preparing for medical school interviews. The award ceremony itself was an amazing night I will never forget."
Katie Maclean won the Outstanding Leader award this year, for her work with the Syrian Resettlement Team. She also explained why it was so important to nominate: “Being nominated for the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Outstanding Leader Award came as a lovely surprise, especially when I heard I had been nominated by colleagues from within and out with the council. Often awards focus on the work of a few rather than the many who do fantastic work every day, but the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards managed to recognise and award a wide range of people and groups capturing the diversity and energy of Aberdeenshire. This one sits proudly in the Resettlement Team Base in recognition of the all of our hard work and commitment to refugee resettlement and as a testament to inspiring team work.”
Provost of Aberdeenshire, Cllr Bill Howatson, “Inspiring Aberdeenshire is a fantastic opportunity to see positive community spirit in action. Every year I am overwhelmed by the good work that people across Aberdeenshire do to support their communities. There are so many reasons that I support these awards, but chief amongst them is the ability to be a cheerleader for the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make the lives of others better”
The categories for the 2018 awards are:
The ‘Heart of Aberdeenshire’ Caring Award
To be awarded to a person who has had a significant positive impact on the life(s) of a vulnerable person(s). Nominees will care for others, either through the course of their employment, for a family member or as a volunteer carer.
The Inspirational Volunteer Award
To be awarded to an individual or group who have gone the extra mile by volunteering for a local initiative that makes a difference to the lives of others or communities.
The ‘Local Hero’ Courage Award
To be awarded to an individual who in the face of adversity has shown courage, bravery and dedication to helping to overcome a difficult situation.
The ‘Beautiful Aberdeenshire’ Environmental Award
To be awarded to an individual or group who is working hard to help nurture and enhance our area’s natural beauty through environmental initiatives.
The Community Spirit Award
To be awarded to an individual or group who have supported a cause or project which helps to foster a spirited, embracing and vibrant local community.
The Cultural Award
This award will be presented to an individual or community group who has made an excellent contribution to the promotion of local culture in Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire’s Future Award
This award is presented to a young individual (under 25) who has shown great leadership and helped to inspire and motivate others in support of a local cause.
The Inspiring Aberdeenshire Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will be presented to an individual who over the course of a number of years has made an outstanding contribution to a local cause, project or initiative, and is a true inspiration to others across Aberdeenshire.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
Pictures of Cherry Hudson, Katie Maclean and Provost Howatson at the 2017 awards are attached with this release. Further images are available on request. There is also a video on our YouTube channel of Provost Howatson talking about the awards. A copy of that can be provided on request.