Islands’ volunteer heroes
Individuals and groups from Islay and Jura were rewarded for their various volunteering efforts at an Argyll and Bute awards ceremony. The Volunteer of the Year Awards, organised by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI), took place in Helensburgh on September 7. The prestigious social enterprise of the year award was presented to Jura Development Trust, which, among other things, is ensuring the residents of Jura have access to Argyll and Bute Council services by maintaining the service point on the island. Karen Siddall collected the sports volunteer of the year award for her dedication to improving access to a wide variety of sports, including swimming, rugby and coastal rowing and her commitment to imparting her sporting knowledge to the community. Joseph Hughes picked up the regional hero award for the islands for his work raising funds for automated external defibrillators and the heart start training he offers to the community free of charge. Islay Festival of Music and Malt scooped the inter-generational project of the year award for its creative approach to breaking down barriers and creating community cohesion. Ashley Davey received the highly commended health volunteer of the year award for her work supporting individuals with long term conditions and setting up the group Chit Chat. Ashley could not make the awards ceremony and Joseph was unable to attend due to work commitments, but videos acknowledgements from both winners were played at the event.