North Edinburgh’s volunteers prominent once again
Over sixty of Edinburgh’s most Inspiring Volunteers will be honoured by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost – and city Volunteering Ambassador – Councillor Donald Wilson at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday 7 June during #VolunteerWeekScot.
Two local women are among those to be honoured next week. The Knit & Natter group’s ‘Crochet Champion’ Josie Horton receives a Special Recognition in Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteering, while there’s a Special Recognition as a Tenant Participation Champion for TRIM secretary and community shop volunteer Karma Lennon.
Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards, now in their eighth year, reflect the huge range of organisations and individuals who give their time freely to work with city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.
This year’s nominees include a keen knitter who runs “Knit and Natter” sessions; an equestrian coach helping disabled riders improve their skills and confidence; an IT instructor; a “Heat Hero” providing energy efficiency and fuel billing advice to householders; a group providing additional help to young stroke survivors and a group of young playwrights and actors with a social cause!
The recipient of the Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award 2016 is Shona Black, an Engagement and Information Volunteer with Guide Dogs Scotland.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “Shona Black certainly is an ‘Inspiring Volunteer’ and worthy of the 2016 Award. Her first hand experiences of visual impairment and using both long cane and a dog have proved invaluable to many people newly registered as partially sighted or blind. Her name will join the volunteering honour board unveiled last year in the City Chambers.”
Kris Von Wald, Convener of Volunteer Edinburgh said: “These Awards are a way to celebrate the wide range of people who volunteer and the positive difference volunteering makes across the City every day. We are delighted that the Lord Provost continues to recognise how important volunteers are to Edinburgh through this key initiative.”
Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, added: “Volunteers help others and also help the city as a whole. Volunteering strengthens our sense of community and we should take every opportunity to recognise those wonderful people who put the needs of others before themselves”.
The award ceremony has been organised by Volunteer Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Compact Partnership.
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