Volunteers from Clydesdale, Rutherglen and Cambuslang were rewarded for their hard work at the Community Awards on Thursday.
The rescheduled event took place on Thursday (March 10) and Provost Ian McAllan congratulated residents in person after the original event on February 24 was cancelled due to bad weather.
Nominations were made for a range of activities – for people who work with local community groups, community councils, charity organisations, environmental projects and for people who cared for the most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Provost McAllan said: “I was delighted to be able to congratulate the winners who had to miss out on their event last month due to the heavy snowfall which prevented the event from taking place.
“The annual Community Awards celebrate all the most fantastic achievements being carried out by dedicated people from 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.
“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.”
From the Clydesdale area, 12 people were awarded for their hard work, each person was nominated by a councillor who thought they deserved to be recognised.
Firstly, from Carluke, Donna Black was nominated by councillor Poppy Corbett for her campaign to help out struggling families.
Councillor Julia Marrs nominated Reverend Bryan Kerr from Lanark – a minister of Greyfriars Church who worked hard at helping people impacted by Covid with shopping, food parcels, prescriptions and befriending.
Janice Coulter from Lanark was nominated by councillor Julia Marrs and councillor Catherine McClymont for her work as vice-chair of Lanark Cancer Research group where she personally raised £12,000 during the pandemic by selling goods online, holding outdoor sales and charity events.
Councillor Catherine McClymont nominated Isabel Gray from Forth for a range of work including her involvement with projects in the village, setting up a foodbank, delivering shopping to elderly people and ensuring elderly residents were able to get their COVID vaccine by personally taking them to the centre.
James Kelly from Carnwath was nominated by councillor Alex Allison, He has lobbied various organisations to provide an outdoor gym and to secure two defibrillators in the town as well as being an active member of the community council.
Tracey Forrest, also from Carnwath, was nominated by Provost McAllan for being active in the community and participating in Brownie and Guide Groups, the gala day committee and community council. She also helped out during the pandemic by organising up to 50 volunteers to help the community.
Provost McAllan also nominated Lesley Craise from Biggar for chairing the community council and being involved in the Biggar Community Action Group.
Gayle Scott from Carstairs was also nominated by Provost McAllan for leading youth-related clubs and progressing community related initiatives – which includes the creation of play parks and introducing road safety measures.
Katherine McCabe from Rigside was nominated by councillor George Greenshields for raising money for charity and helping out the community during the pandemic. To date, she has raised over £41,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Hospital, £3000 for medical care for ill young children and delivering COVID relief food packages to the elderly and vulnerable.
Councillor George Greenchields nominated Elizabeth Ritchie for her work with the Coalburn Jivers dance group who raised £19,285 for local and national charities as well as helping the community during the pandemic.
Caraiosa Brady-Wilson from Coalburn was nominated by councillor Colin McGavin for her work with the community and for setting up a youth club as well as arranging afternoon teas to the elderly on a regular basis and through COVID.
Councillor Colin McGavin also nominated John Hamilton of Blackwood for working with the community and arranging litter picks in Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill.
Seven people were nominated from the Cambuslang and Rutherglen area.
Patricia Ponzi from Rutherglen was nominated by councillor Robert Brown for her environmental work – she has organised litter picks and works to improve greenspace and biodiversity in Overtoun Park and the streets of Rutherglen.
Councillor Robert Brown also nominated David O’Neill from Rutherglen for being a community activist and campaigning for a range of local issues.
Sharon Anderson from Cathkin was nominated by councillor Margaret Cowie for being an active volunteer in the community and helping residents during the pandemic.
Councillor Margaret Cowie also nominated Nicole Digruber from Cathkin for helping set up the Friends of Fernbrae Meadows group. Through this she picks up litter in the park and works with schools to maximise the usage of the park.
Andy Rundell from Rutherglen was nominated by councillor Janine Calikes for setting up Eastfield United Football Team – a community football group for all. The group fundraise and donate money to charitable organisations.
Councillor John Bradley nominated Linda Wallace from Cambuslang for her work as a member of Cambuslang Community Council and the founder of Cambuslang in Bloom – who plant flowers and maintain them throughout the area.
Maureen Lewis from Cambuslang was nominated by councillor Walter Brogan for devoting time to the community for over 16 years.
Volunteers from Hamilton and East Kilbride were awarded on February 25, a total of 37 residents across South Lanarkshire were recognised for their achievements.
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