A shortlist of 30 finalists across 10 categories has been released for this year’s Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards. The awards recognise and celebrate the work and achievements of residents and council staff across Aberdeenshire.
Finalists include the volunteers who keep sports clubs playing, volunteers and staff who care for the elderly and vulnerable, and those who have helped settle our new ‘Syrian Scots’.
Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson said: “The Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards are a great opportunity to recognise the work of those who make a difference to the lives of their whole communities. Finalists include those who raise money for charity and those that ensure young people have a voice in decision-making, as well as those that bring music to our children and communitees.
“Personally, I like to think that the Inspiring Aberdeenshire awards highlight the achievements of the people who ‘quietly get on’ and work to make the lives of others better and help to make Aberdeenshire the wonderful place to live that it is.
“I wish everyone the best for the ceremony on June 23 and am looking forward to learning more about them all and the work they do.”
The annual event is in its fifth year and is organised by Aberdeenshire Council. The winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place at Haddo House on Friday, June 23, 2017.
List of categories and finalists
Best of Garioch
- Jade McWilliam , fundraiser and Britain’s smallest open heart surgery survivor
- SensationALL, support and services for individuals with learning disabilities and their families
- The Amal Project, Syrian New Scots contributing to their community
Best of Kincardine and Mearns
- South Aberdeenshire Music Centre, inspiring musicians and encouraging talent
- Adam Howie, member of the council’s refuse team who strives to make his community a brighter place
- Christina and Sharon Polson, twin sisters going above and beyond in their community
Best of Marr
- James Gordon, 90 year old volunteer who helped set up the Grampian Transport Museum
- Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, provides emergency food relief to struggling individuals and families
- Networks of Wellbeing, supporting the people of Huntly in maintaining their mental health and wellbeing
Best of Buchan
- William and Margaret McRobbie, finalists last year. Light up the village and raise money for St Combs Primary School every year with their Christmas nights
- MASA Club (Minds Applying STEM Activities), introducing children to science and technology in rural communities
- Arch24, 24hr responders for Care at Home
Best of Banff and Buchan
- Anne McArthur, Scottish country dance teacher for over 40 years
- Norman Whyte, “Every sheltered housing scheme should have a Norman”
- Invercairn Community Support, runs one of the most successful galas in the North-east
Best of Formartine
- Peter Scarlett, joiner, using his skills to help train people with learning difficulties
- Turriff Academy Cleaning Team, keeps the school sparkly
- Jay Allan, runs the Ythan View in Methlick and volunteers in the community
Young Leader
- Cherry Hudson, 17 year old community volunteer in Alford
- Connor Smith, 16 year old volunteer with the Banchory Boys Football Club, awarded Saltire award for 500 hours of volunteering
- Aberdeenshire Youth Council, campaigning group ensuring young people’s voices are heard
Outstanding Leader
- Christine McLennan, works tirelessly with the Pupil Participation Forum across Aberdeenshire’s secondary schools
- Katie MacLean, for her work with the Syria Partnership Group
- Roisin Steele, Banff Academy teacher who led a team of rowers to World Championship medal success
Pupil Voice
- Rhyes Johnstone, pupil at Glenbervie Primary School who helped to replant the school garden after Storm Frank, all the while grieving for his grandfather MSP Alex Johnstone.
- Jonathan Edwards, S2 pupil at Banff Academy who has been battling a brain tumour since 2011 and has raised thousands of pounds for sick children
- Isaac Bacon, pupil at Inverurie Academy who has represented the school on the Pupil Participation Forum and is the Inverurie Rotary ‘Young Musician of the Year ‘
Doric Award
- Monymusk Primary School, learning Doric as one of their additional languages and writing their own Doric Dictionary ‘Hud it Chappin’
- Nom Wright, keeping Doric Alive writing the front piece for the ‘Insch Insider’
- Sandy May, leading light of the Buchan Heritage and involved in Heirskip Magazine