The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Kingdom FM Local Heroes
Ele Segerius celebrates winning the top award.
A star-studded awards ceremony last night celebrated the contribution made by individuals, organisations and local schools to communities across Fife.
Around 300 guests attended the Kingdom FM Local Hero Awards at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.
Organisers received thousands of entries and handed out 14 awards, culminating in the presentation of the Kingdom FM Award to Ele Segerius for services to charity.
Station manager Darren Stenhouse said Ele has worked tirelessly helping others since the Mary Leishman Foundation – set up in memory of Mary, who lost her battle with cancer in 2009 – was established, and her colleagues at the charity described her as their “rock”.
“Our chosen winner spends time working closely with award recipients and always finds time to help people who come to the charity with an urgent need for assistance,” he said.
Autism Rocks (Fife) scooped the Best Community Award after providing support to more than 1,200 families in Fife and opportunities for children and adults on the spectrum.
Jack Henderson, who owns Lomond Tavern, took home the Best Neighbour Award after being nominated by local woman Eilidh Green for the kindness he showed in letting out the pub when her family were made homeless.
He regularly donates tuck shop supplies to Falkland Primary, and gives every OAP in the village a meal at Christmas, alongside a hamper of food and drink.
Thornton Primary won the Best School Award for its emphasis on improving the quality of experience for pupils and offering an extensive extracurricular programme including football, netball and arts and crafts.
Next up came Brian McCormack, who won the New Business Start Up Award. After working as a miner and taxi driver, he turned his hand to the invention of ‘flush-away’ medical devices.
There were not many dry eyes in the house as the Child of Achievement Award category was read out, with three-year-old Daniel Cornet named the winner.
Daniel was born with chronic kidney disease and end stage five renal failure. Despite enduring 10 hours of dialysis every night, he is one of the youngest ambassadors for the Live Life Give Life ‘Little Lifesavers’ campaign which encourages people to donate organs, and also shares his rollercoaster journey on Facebook through his ‘Daniel’s Diary’ page.
Carer of the Year was Chloe Whyte, aged 12. She cares for her grandmother Jackie, who suffers from a spinal injury and the chronic lung condition COPD. She does the housework, food shopping and looks after her grandmother daily despite suffering from ADHD.
Provost Jim Leishman presented the Provost Award to Disability Sport Fife, which is the lead body for disability sport in the region for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.
The Green Initiative Award went to Christina Laing, head of the department of hair, beauty and sport at Fife College and chairwoman of the Sustainable Development Group.
She established the Green Salon at the Halbeath campus which incorporates a sustainable heating system, identified student ambassadors for sustainability through her work with the college Students’ Association, and drives the college electric car.
Love Oliver, the charity set up in 2011 by Jennifer and Andy Gill following the death of their first son Oliver aged just 24 weeks, was Fundraiser of the Year.
The charity helps fund research into childhood cancer and provides support to families. Love Oliver’s fundraising has reached well over £400,000 to date.
Ron and Norma Nicol won the Mary Leishman Award. They are behind the Glenrothes Theatre Company which attracts members from all over Fife and has transformed hundreds of lives.
Jodie Chalk was Sports Person of the Year after winning the domestic and CB500 racing championships in 2016 at Knockhill and East Fortune, and starting this season with straight-set wins in the Scottish Championships.
Claire Watson won Volunteer of the Year for her support to women suffering from endometriosis. Despite suffering from it herself, Claire has committed a large part of her life to Endo Aware and regularly arranges meeting, support groups and marches to raise awareness of the painful condition.
A new category, the Home Grown Talent Award, was won by Glenrothesbased Celtic Moves.
Started by Irish dance teacher Elsie Ballingall, the group of dancers earned the right to perform on stage on the night to wow the crowd.
Musical entertainment was also provided during the evening by Edinburgh singer-songwriter Callum Beattie and Abandoman, who have toured alongside Ed Sheeran and performed at every major UK music festival.
Other famous faces in the audience on the night included Kirkcaldy’s own UFC fighter Stevie Ray, and representatives of Grand National winner One For Arthur.