Charity LEAP with joy after winning top award
NIKI TENNANT
Cambuslang-based charity LEAP has been named the Herald Society Awards 2019 Older People’s Project of the Year.
The team from Lightburn Elderly Association Project were delighted with the announcement at a glittering awards dinner last week in Glasgow.
Introducing the award host Jennifer Reoch said that all the finalists had been exceptional.
The announcement was made by Maureen Mallon, CEO of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and a member of the judging panel.
Picking up the gong, Stuart McGregor, LEAP’s executive director, said: “We were proud to be named as finalists in this year’s awards and never expected to win, especially against other finalists Edinburgh Leisure, Lingo Flamingo and Living Streets.
“However, winning the award is testament to the hard work of our hundreds of frontline volunteers and our small, but dedicated, staff team. This is for them.”
LEAP’s Chair Gilbert Feron was also a finalist on the night in the Unsung Hero award.
The charity supports people across South Lanarkshire aged 50 and over.
It delivers this support in Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Blantyre, Bothwell, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Stonehouse, Strathaven and Uddingston.
It helps participants through its Hands On Project (HOP) befriending and handy person services, its learning and leisure activities and its R:evolve Recycle clothes shops.
The befriending service offers short or long-term companionship and friendship to older people who might be feeling lonely or isolated.
The handy person service provides free practical assistance with small jobs and tasks around the home such as changing light bulbs, curtains and washing inside windows that can help older people to stay in their homes.
Both services are provided by a network of accredited volunteers.
LEAP’s learning and leisure activities include walking groups, sporting memories, zumba, new age Kurling, tai chi, arts and languages, and a range of computer classes.
To find out more about volunteering with LEAP, Hands On Project or R:evolve Recycle, or to let the charity know about someone who could benefit from its services, visit www.leap-project.co.uk call 0141 641 5169 or email enquiries@ leap-project.co.uk