A long-serving Poppyscotland volunteer has said how he felt “shocked” but “incredibly grateful” after being given a Community Hero Award by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray.
University of Edinburgh academic Dr Alex Imrie, of Burdiehouse, was nominated by his peers within the ward of the Labour MP, after dedicating the last 25 years to raising both funds and the profile of Poppyscotland.
Alex’s long-running relationship with the charity began back in secondary school, when as part of a project he was encouraged to meet and speak with veterans. After setting up a chat with a friend of a neighbour, Alex was first introduced to and immediately inspired by the work of Poppyscotland. So much so, he decided to begin his own journey as a Poppyscotland volunteer.
His work has seen him pounding the streets of Edinburgh with collection tins and buckets, planting crosses in the Garden of Remembrance, regularly promoting the charity to members of the public and on his social media and taking part in Poppyscotland’s Sportive (46 miles), and then setting himself a mammoth 548-mile challenge in memory of his great-grandfather, William Scott, who served in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WWI.
The ride simulated the distance between Loanhead, where William is commemorated at Memorial Park and Béthune, where he was buried and helped to raise over £800 combined with his Sportive fundraiser.
Alex said: “I was really quite shocked but incredibly grateful to hear that I had been selected for the Community Hero Award. My relationship with Poppyscotland goes back 25 years now and it really does hold a special place in my heart.
“I must thank everyone who nominated me for the award and of course thank you to Mr Ian Murray MP and his team for the Award.”
Gordon Michie, Head of Funding and Learning at Poppyscotland said: “Alex has literally given thousands of hours to our cause over the years and raised hundreds of pounds in the process.
“We were absolutely delighted to learn that he was being given this award by Ian Murray MP as Alex epitomises the core values of Poppyscotland. He is a first class volunteer!”
Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: “I was delighted to present Alex with a Community Hero Award in my role as MP for Edinburgh South.
“His fundraising efforts have been utterly superb, and it was a real pleasure to meet him. Alex was nominated by the public to recognise his significant contribution to both Poppyscotland and the veteran’s community.
“Well done Alex and thank you again.”