Cheery Ronnie is Tarbert hero at volunteer awards
‘Volunteering has always been at the heart of how our communities work’
Volunteers from across the region put on their best bib, tucker and PJ bottoms for the online Argyll and Bute TSI Volunteer of the Year Awards, writes Fiona Scott.
Winning the Mid Argyll Regional honours was Ronnie Johnstone, whose work for Tarbert Soup Group is legendary.
Ronnie was nominated by Heather Bellshaw as throughout the lockdown and beyond he delivered lunches to elderly people twice a week, as well as sorting and delivering food boxes, driving the van around rural areas and supporting those in need.
This was always done with a cheery and positive attitude, a smile and a chat or a wave from the van.
‘He really worked hard and gave everything his all,’ said Heather.
The Regional Hero awards were split into six areas Helensburgh and Lomond, Cowal and Bute, the Islands, Mid Argyll, Oban and Lorn and Kintyre.
‘We received 78 nominations across the nine categories for the Volunteer of the Year awards and judges had a tough time selecting the winners as the standard has been exceptionally high,’ said Takki Sulaiman, chief executive officer of Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, at the event on Friday July 16.
‘We are lucky that in Argyll and Bute there is a strong culture of volunteering and during the past 18 months our communities benefitted from an increase in those coming forward as demand soared.
‘These awards provide a platform for acknowledging the important contribution of all volunteers and not just those who were lucky enough to win.’
Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute, was one of the guest speakers on the night. She said: ‘It was a real privilege to speak at the Argyll and Bute TSI Awards. Volunteering has always been at the heart of how our communities work.
‘Before the pandemic, a quarter of people in Argyll and Bute formally volunteered – with many, many more providing hours and hours of unrecorded volunteering.
‘We need to keep this volunteering spirit going, capture it, rejuvenate it and celebrate it.’
Also speaking on the night were Ishbel Smith, founder of Heart in Mouth and trustee of Mary’s Meals; chairman of liveArgyll Andrew Nisbet and Pete McDill, chairman of Argyll and Bute TSI.