20 November 2017

Aberdeenshire Council honours local "unsung heroes"

Kindhearted and hardworking volunteers from across Aberdeenshire have been commended for their dedication at a special event.

Councillors across Aberdeenshire Council nominated volunteers from their wards who use their skills and dedication to run events, give their time to assist with community causes and work with others to make where they live that little bit better.

Provost of Aberdeenshire Cllr Bill Howatson hosted a lunch and award ceremony for the volunteers where he presented them with certificates.

He said: “Volunteers are often unsung heroes who dedicate countless hours to various causes which help to make their communities better places to live, work and visit. They are often very modest people who don’t feel they deserve recognition so I am delighted to be hosting this annual event which highlights the tireless work these incredible people do.

“I am sure my fellow councillors feel as humble as I do when reading about the hard work and dedication that these selfless volunteers have demonstrated. I very much hope all the volunteers involved enjoyed their day and received plenty of inspiration from fellow volunteers from across Aberdeenshire.”

Cllr Ron McKail, Deputy Provost of Aberdeenshire, said: “In every community there are generous people who work behind the scenes to make sure events like the Christmas pantomime takes place each year or spend countless hours fundraising for charity. Without their dedication communities would be much poorer places to live. Every person honoured at this special ceremony should be very proud of the positive impact they have made on making Aberdeenshire a fantastic place to be.”

The Volunteer Awards 2017 took place at Aberdeenshire Council’s Woodhill House headquarters in Aberdeen on Friday, November 10.

Here is a list of the winners:

Banff and Buchan

David Donn – nominated by Cllr Brian Topping

Isobel Blackwell – nominated by Cllr Brian Topping

John West – nominated by Cllr Mark Findlater

Stanly West – nominated by Cllr Mark Findlater

Morag Rennie – nominated by Cllr Charles Buchan

Norman Reid – nominated by Cllr Charles Buchan

Buchan

Harry Bissett – nominated by Cllr Anne Allan

Marjorie Griffiths – nominated by Cllr Anne Allan

Megan McGonigie – nominated by Cllr Stephen Calder

Hannah Forman – nominated by Cllr Stephen Calder

Formartine

Jennifer Craig – nominated by Cllr Andrew Hassan

Lynne Bowman – nominated by Cllr Richard Thomson

Brenda Potts – nominated by Cllr Alastair Forsyth

Ronald McDonald – nominated by Cllr Alastair Forsyth

Garioch

Christopher Pinnell – nominated by Cllr Ron McKail

Russell Gray – nominated by Cllr Ron McKail

Irene Ferguson – nominated by Cllr Hazel Smith

Jaqueline Jamieson – nominated by Cllr Neil Baillie

Tricia Barnett – nominated by Cllr Neil Baillie

Kincardine and Mearns

Alastair McNair – nominated by Cllr Ian Mollison

Anne McNair – nominated by Cllr Ian Mollison

Lynne Erskine – nominated by Cllr Alison Evison

Helen Sleeth – nominated by Cllr Alison Evison

Marr

John McPherson – nominated by Cllr Geva Blackett

Marilyn Baker – nominated by Cllr Geva Blackett