The North People who make Maryhill honoured
PEOPLE who have went above and beyond helping their communities during the pandemic were celebrated in an awards ceremony. The fourth People Make Maryhill awards were hosted on Friday, with a huge number of people across the area recognised for their tireless work.
Deacon Jim Hamilton, of Maryhill Parish Church and one of the organisers of the virtual event, said: “These are all people who have gone above and beyond to help make Maryhill a better place, making a huge contribution to our community in a year like no other.
“Everyone is a winner because the work they have all done is so valued – whether it’s keeping all their neighbours supplied with food and medication, offering a weekly tennis club for children who have nowhere else to go or providing a free online counselling service.”
Normally, the ceremony is celebrated with a sit-down meal in a local restaurant but this year, because of the pandemic, the event was beamed into people’s homes with a video call. Winners were posted their certificates with a badge reading: “People Make Maryhill”.
Before the pandemic, the event would usually take place in July but Jim and his team thought that moving the awards forward could provide a “morale boost” for people in the community, after bearing more than a year of tough lockdown restrictions.
Some familiar names in the North Glasgow community were recognised at the awards, including Amanda McLaughlin, Tesco Maryhill’s community champion for her tireless work to keep people occupied, entertained and supported throughout lockdown.
Two priests, Father Allan Cameron and Father Jim Lawlor, were commended for their services as were two headteachers, Mairi Baker and Catherine Harte. Local sporting groups, such as Maryhill Football Club and the Maryhill Tennis Club were also given awards. Maryhill Housing Association’s neighbourhood team were recognised for “providing an excellent service” to their tenants. Bryony Willett, the housing association’s chief executive, said: “Maryhill Housing extend heartfelt congratulations to every single one of the winners of the People Make Maryhill awards including our very own in-house neighbourhood team. “All of the winners deserve recognition for going above and beyond for their local communities, particularly during these uniquely challenging times”.
The full list of winners:
Amanda McLaughlin
Angela Pirie
Ann Harvey, David Clark & Vivian Wilson
Annmarie Waddell
BJO Amara Association
Craig McCarron & Stuart McMillan Dr Jacqueline Gildea
Father Allan Cameron
Father Jim Lawlor
Finlay Matthews and Naythan Smith G20 Young People
Hannah and Rebekah Watters Ian Benson
Janette McBain Councillor John Letford
All local schools
Louise Gaw
Lynne Ross
Mairi Baker & Catherine Harte Mark Wilson
Maryhill Football Club Maryhill Housing Association neighbourhood team Michael Nakonecznyj and Ross Devlin
Mohamed Khazally Tejan-Rahman Nell Connell
North United Communities Pinar Aksu
St Gregory’s Foodbank
The work they have all done is so valued