Keith is our Local Hero for October
A true superhero to everyone who knows him has been nominated for this month’s West Lothian Courier and The Centre Local Hero Award.
Keith Armour is the latest recipient of our award after raising over £37,000 for CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) and £3000 for St John’s Hospital.
The Local Hero Award, launched in the summer, has been set up to pay tribute to people in the community who have done something special and as a ‘thank you’, reward them with a £100 gift card, courtesy of The Centre, Livingston.
Despite going through a tough time losing three close family members and being made redundant twice, the Livingston dad decided it was time to give something back and organised a two-day sci-fi convention, Capital Sci- Fi Con, in February at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh.
Roping in a great team of committed volunteers, the event, which will take place again at Meadowbank Stadium on February 18 and 19 next year, was attended by more than 5000 people and was a huge success, raising over £37,000 for CHAS.
At the same time as organising the event last year Keith, on a mission to help out CHAS, approached all of his friends on Facebook and asked everyone to donate a Christmas toy for children at Rachel House Hospice - a purpose built ‘home from home’ hospice which supports families with children and young people with life shortening conditions.
He received over 100 toys, which he personally wrapped and hand-delivered, something he plans to do again in the future.
Keith also raised £ 3000 for St John’s Hospital after his mother passed away a few years ago. Keith’s wife Clare nominated him. They live in Livingston with their two-yearold daughter, Leah.
She said: “To friends and family Keith really is our hero and deserves a little bit of recognition for all the great things he’s done helping other people over the years.
“He is incredibly grounded and selfless and always puts himself last which is why I didn’t have to think twice when putting him forward for this fantastic, well-deserved Local Hero Award.”
Keith said he thinks nothing of putting others first, adding: “I’m delighted to win this special Local Hero Award and overwhelmed by how much people appreciate what I have been doing over the last six years.
“When you are focused on doing things for others and dealing with day-to-day life, you don’t really stand back and take in what you have achieved - it just becomes the norm and something you love doing.”
Jennifer Bruce, marketing manager at The Centre, said Keith is a deserving winner of the award.
She added: “Putting something back into the community in the way that Keith has done, and continues to do, is commendable and definitely worthy of being rewarded and recognised.
“He is kind, caring and dedicated to helping others – a true inspiration.”
If you k n ow someone who should be recognised and rewarded for the great work they are doing in the community, whether it is raising money for a local charity, looking after an elderly neighbour or volunteering in a community group, please send the details to debbie.hall@ trinitymirror.com
For more information about Capital Sci-Fi Con please visit www. capitalscificon. co.uk.
To friends and family Keith really is our hero. He deserves recognition