West Lothian Courier

Appeal to find area’s young local heroes

Award up for grabs

- Debbie Hall

An appeal has gone out to recognise West Lothian’s young unsung heroes.

The West Lothian Courier and The Centre, Livingston, want to reward young people in the community who are making a difference with a certificat­e and £100 gift card.

Last month, we launched our Young Local Hero Award 2018 to tie in with the Year of Young People, which celebrates the personalit­ies, talents and achievemen­ts of our nation’s young people.

The Young Local Hero Award is designed to pay tribute to young people in the community who have gone the extra mile to help others. This includes volunteeri­ng in a community group, fundraisin­g or caring for their siblings or perhaps even someone who has excelled at school or a sports club and reward them with a special certificat­e and £100 gift card.

Our first winner was Jemma Mackay. Jemma was chosen for her exemplary work raising over £1000 for various charities over the last three years by selling her handmade ‘Forget Me Not’ crotchet pin badges which she learned to make at school. Currently Jemma is raising money for Alzheimer’s Scotland following the passing of her papa who had Alzheimer’s and has already raised over £400.

And now we’re on the hunt for more deserving winners. Ashley Bisland, deputy centre director at The Centre, said: “This year seemed liked the perfect year to focus on recognisin­g and rewarding our youngsters in the community who have done something kind, inspiring and commendabl­e.

“We are really looking forward to receiving the nomination­s and rewarding a young local hero every month and presenting them with a special certificat­e and £100 gift card for their efforts.”

Courier editor, Marjorie Kerr, added: “We know there are lots of young people out there who deserve recognitio­n and we would love to give them the credit they deserve.”

 ??  ?? First winner Jemma Mackay with Ashley Bisland of The Centre
First winner Jemma Mackay with Ashley Bisland of The Centre

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