Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD �HUMBLED� BY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Moray, Richard Lochhead, has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament recognising the success of the Moray Community Awards and volunteers in Moray.  The Moray MSP, who attended the awards ceremony, has said that he was ‘humbled’ to hear the stories of those being recognised.

The Moray Community Awards, which were held on Friday 21 April, are organised by a partnership of organisations and businesses in Moray.  The event sought nominations from members of the public to recognise volunteers in Moray who have made a contribution in the categories of Good Neighbour Champion, Young People’s Champion, Youth Support Champion, Fundraising Champion, Healthier and Lifestyle Champion, Green and Environmental Champion and Community Champion.

The event saw 6 year old Lucy Stewart presented with a Special Commendation Award for her fundraising efforts in raising over £2,000 for different charities and taking presents to children in hospital at Christmas.

The Ultimate Champion Award was given to Cornelia Featherstone from Findhorn for her work with environmental groups such as Park Eco Village Trust and Tress for Life.

Commenting after the awards Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“It was fantastic to be able to attend the awards ceremony and see so many of Moray’s volunteers being recognised for the fantastic work that they do.  There was a great atmosphere at the event and there was a lot of appreciation from the audience.  I was extremely humbled to hear the inspirational stories first hand of those receiving awards.

“Each and every one of the finalists should be very proud of themselves.  They do the communities of Moray a great service with the hours of commitment that they give and the time they give up to support their passion or indeed the passions of others.  Particular congratulations go to Cornelia Featherstone and Lucy Stewart for their overall awards.

“It was a wonderful event and it was great to see the venue packed with family and friends of those being recognised.  Thanks must go to the sponsors and organisers of the event but most of all to of the volunteers in Moray who contribute so much to the fabric of this area.”

The motion submitted to the Scottish Parliament by Richard Lochhead MSP was as follows:

Title: Moray Community Awards

Motion Text:

That the Parliament praises the finalists at the Moray Community Awards, who were celebrated at an event in Elgin on 21 April 2017; recognises that all finalists were nominated by members of their own communities in the various categories; congratulates six-year-old Lucy Stewart who was given a Special Commendation Award for raising over £2,000 for different charities, as well as taking gifts and treats to children who were spending Christmas in hospital; also congratulates Cornelia Featherstone from Findhorn who was awarded the Ultimate Champion Award for her contribution to improving the environment with her work with the Park Eco Village Trust and Trees for Life; commends the various sponsors from the public and private sector in Moray who enabled the awards to go ahead; acknowledges the work of partners involved in organising the event, which allows the communities of Moray to celebrate their fantastic volunteers, and thanks every volunteer in Moray who contributes to the social, sporting and charitable life of the area.