Dogs Against Drugs manager ‘humbled’ to be picked as local hero
DOGS Against Drugs project manager Michael Coutts has been named as Shetland’s latest ‘local hero’.
He has been invited to attend a 25th anniversary event for the Scottish Parliament in late September which will welcome ‘local heroes’ from across Scotland.
Dogs Against Drugs is a local charity set up in 2002 to prevent the movement of illegal drugs into Shetland.
In recent years the charity has struggled to find funding to cover core costs despite the dogs helping to detect over a million pounds of illegal drugs.
Coutts, who is also involved in the dog handling, said: “I am genuinely humbled – it’s very good of folk to vote for me.
“If it can do some good for the charity then I’m delighted to accept it.”
The search for Shetland’s local hero was led by local MSP Beatrice Wishart, with nominations submitted by the public.
She said: “Michael is a great advocate for Dogs Against Drugs and although he works for the charity what is not so widely recognised is that he also puts in a huge amount of hours voluntarily.
“Dogs Against Drugs plays an important role in keeping illicit drugs out of Shetland as well as running an education programme aimed at young people about the harm from illegal drugs.
“Michael’s trip to Holyrood will be a chance to thank him for his tireless work and to show him and the charity the wide public support in Shetland for its work.”
Back in 2021 care worker and fundraiser Anita Georgeson was picked as Shetland’s last ‘local hero’, attending the formal opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament.
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