With their Community Champion plaque are (left to right) Kirstin Langlois (Development Officer), Kaye Hurrion (Chairperson) and Robert Johnstone (Board Member) from Lairg and District Community Initiatives. (photo: Ewen Weatherspoon)
An awards ceremony hosted live on Facebook has celebrated both individuals and organisations from the Scottish Highlands who have gone “above and beyond” during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘The Kyle of Sutherland and Lairg Volunteer Awards’ was organised by SSE Renewables, in partnership with Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, Lairg and District Community Initiatives and Voluntary Groups Sutherland.
Finalists were chosen after members of the public nominated people who supported their communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
"The awards were an opportunity to thank volunteers from across the three community council areas of Ardgay and District, Creich and Lairg who responded immediately to the COVID-19 emergency from March 2020.
Fiona Morrison SSE Renewables’ Community Fund Manager
These individuals helped people in different local communities with everything from picking up prescriptions, to making and delivering hot meals and bringing them shopping.
Sometimes they were there just available to have a blether, but without the volunteers and support from these organisations, many people living in these communities would have really struggled to get through lockdown."
25 people volunteering for the following organisations were recognised for making a difference (including 16 from the Kyle of Sutherland area, and 9 from the Lairg area):
David Watson receives the Community Champion plaque on behalf of the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust from Fiona Morrison, Community Fund Manager at SSE Renewables. (Photo: Ewan Weatherspoon)
- Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust
- Bradbury Centre
- Lairg and District Community Initiatives
- Culrain & District Hall
- Rosehall Village Help Group
- Invershin Hall
- Sutherland Friends Call delivered by Voluntary Groups Sutherland
MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Maree Todd, congratulated the finalists and the local organisations that provided support. She said: “The past two years has been a difficult time for a lot of people and that is why it is so heartening and humbling to see these organisations and those volunteering selflessly putting others before themselves during the pandemic. I am very impressed by the level of kindness and generosity that these people have shown their friends and neighbours.”
Local councillor for North, West and Central Sutherland, Linda Munro, said: “It is so touching to see these community organisations pulling together and helping people in need in what has been a unique and challenging time of adversity.
“I’m glad that we’re taking the opportunity to recognise their good work and to celebrate their worthwhile efforts.”
"When the pandemic first impacted on our communities in March 2020 it was a really anxious time as we struggled to come to terms with an unknown threat to our way of life.
David Watson Vice Chair of the Kyle of Sutherland Locality Group
At this time, we were all encouraged to stay apart and isolate ourselves. However, many local residents wanted to help the more vulnerable and isolated, and support others in any way they could.
This is the sign of a strong and reliant community, and I am really happy to see these selfless individuals getting recognition for their contribution during such a challenging time."