Community / Second community spirit awards recognises those going ‘above and beyond’
48 individuals, shops and organisations recognised by VAS
VOLUNTARY Action Shetland (VAS) has announced the winners of the second Shetland Community Spirit awards, with recipients feeling “emotional” about having their efforts recognised.
Across the isles 31 individuals, 12 local shops and five organisations and groups of volunteers have received an award.
For the second year running, the award has given people the opportunity to say thank you to someone they thought went above and beyond in helping others out.
VAS executive officer Lynn Tulloch said: “Last year’s awards was such a success and we felt that given the challenge of supporting community recovery post-Covid that it would be a great thing to do for a second year.
“The last 18 months has been so hard for everyone, and many have been supporting others in the community throughout this time in a whole range of ways. We are just delighted with the fantastic efforts being made in the community.”
Initial responses from recipients have been “incredibly positive with many expressing delight and surprise, as they did not realise how much their kind actions mattered to others”.
VAS offered its congratulations to everyone who was nominated and is continuing to support their community. Awardees and their stories will be celebrated through VAS’ social media pages beginning on Friday (1 October).
List of recipients:
Individuals:
- Alex Cameron of Trondra for helping out her neighbour and feeding their birds.
- Alyson Halcrow of Burra for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Ann Thomson from Open Door Drama for working hard to enable the re-opening of summer activities for children.
- Cheryl Graham of Scalloway for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- David Grieve of the Shetland Foodbank for continuing to provide an essential service and for having a kind heart for the people in the community.
- Donald Anderson of Walls for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Felix Tibbs of Fetlar for selflessly helping out in his community.
- Gwen Farmer of Burra for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Gwen Williamson of Walls for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Jo MacDonald of Lerwick for running a knitting group and providing care and comfort for others in difficult times.
- Laurence Sutherland of Scalloway for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Lorraine Sutherland of Voe for being a “life saving” neighbour who offers comfort and help.
- Lynne Ritchie of Burra for providing outdoor exercise for schoolchildren during Covid-19 .
- Mandy Stephen of Bressay for her mood-lifting approach when delivering mail.
- Marie Adamson of Cunningsburgh for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Marilyn Bain of Sandwick for supporting others by checking in with them through the Royal Voluntary Service.
- Mark Hunter of Lerwick for making the Shetland Girls Football excel in their work.
- Margaret Gear for continuing her voluntary work during lockdown and keeping people healthy and connected.
- Matthew Lawrence of Tingwall for going above and beyond to keep children and adults in Shetland active during and after lockdown.
- Michael Coutts from Dogs against Drugs for continuing his hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Peter Coutts of Fetlar for his kindness and passion for his community and helping out throughout the years.
- Peter Jamieson of Lerwick for his kindness and helping the community in many ways.
- Petur Petursson for his outstanding work for Shetland Amateur Competitive Swimming Club and for thinking outside the box to provide swimming training while pools were closed.
- Rebekah MacLeod for her passion and support to pupils and volunteer mentors at the Anderson High School.
- Rhianne Colvin of Cunningsburgh for going above and beyond for vulnerable people in her community and raising money for charity.
- Rhonda Richardson of Mossbank for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Rita Rendall of Scalloway for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Scott Sandison of Nesting for his long-term commitment to teaching young people to sail on the Swan.
- Terry McCaffrey from the Cornerstone for raising the “community spirit” in Scalloway.
- Tracy Jack of Walls for the continued support to clients of the Shetland Bereavement Support Service during Covid-19.
- Wilma Goodlad of Scalloway for her outstanding work as director of Shetland Samaritans and providing Mental Health training to pupils in Shetland.
Organisations and Volunteering groups:
- Bressay Development Ltd for enabling the community to come back together by re-opening their café.
- Dogs against Drugs for continuing and developing their service over the last difficult year to keep the islands safe from drug smuggling.
- The MCR Pathways Volunteer Mentors at the Anderson High School for supporting the pupils during a difficult time.
- The volunteers at the Shetland Textile Museum for filling the museum with life and demonstrating Shetland’s textile heritage to visitors.
- Shetland Samaritans for continuing their valuable service by providing emotional support to those in distress.
Shops:
- Alison Reid of Bressay for continuing to support the people in her community with deliveries and stocking local products in her shop.
- Bolts Minimarket in Lerwick for continuing to support their community with home deliveries and a collection service.
- Fetlar Shop for being a warm and welcoming place within their community.
- Final Checkout in Unst for looking after their community and providing a great service.
- Henderson’s Shop in Unst for looking after their community and providing a great service.
- JI Herculson’s Shop in Vidlin and their staff for their hard work and continuing deliveries to vulnerable people.
- Mary, Haley and the staff at Eid Community Co-op for their brilliant service.
- Skibhoul Stores in Unst for looking after their community and providing a great service.
- Skellister Stores in Nesting for their hard work for supporting their community.
- The staff at Sound Service Station in Lerwick for continuing to support people in their community in a kind and accommodating way.
- Steven, Kirsten, Margaret and the staff at the Bixter Shop for providing a great service to the community.
- Venitta and Roger Atkinson of the Walls Shop for their continued work in supporting their community.
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