Time to honour the very best that Ayrshire has to offer
Worthy winners receive awards
Celebrating success and recognising the heroes in our own communities were the themes for this year’s Cream of Ayrshire awards.
Organised by West Sound and West FM, the awards, now in their 13th year, are a true celebration of the very best in the west.
After another high standard of entries the radio station’s listeners and members of the public voted for their favourites.
As well as the awards, hosted by Ewen Cameron and Cat Har vey and sponsored by J and D Pierce, the packed Caprington Suite in Kilmarnock’s Park Hotel, also saw an entertaining interlude from the Greatest Showman Duo, who performed a medley of songs from the hit film in full circus regalia.
The first award of the night went to Lochlan Murdoch, a young Killie fan who embarked on a 28- mile walking challenge around all the SPFL stadia.
Lochlan, who has diabetes and then suffered a broken leg, was awarded the Child Bravery Award, which was sponsored by A J Gallagher.
After receiving his award, Lochlan said: “When I broke my leg I was feeling down so I decided to do something for charity.
“It’s amazing to win the award.”
His mum Lesley added: “I am very proud of Lochlan. He has raised £ 7500 for JDRF and the Kris Boyd Charity.”
Kris Boyd then joined the lad on stage and thanked him for supporting his charity.
The Killie and Rangers legend added: “A lot of hard work and effort went into what he did. So well done.”
The Up and Coming Young Person Award, sponsored by Billie Bowie Projects, was given to Mia Compton.
Mia, from the Bujinkai
given to Mia Compton.
Mia, from the Bujinkai Karate Club, based in Coylton, has won a clutch of medals, since taking up the sport, including the gold World Championship title. She also fundraises for her club and helps with the younger children.
Mia was unable to attend as she was on holiday with her gran, but her mum accepted the award on her behalf, and Facetimed her daughter who was absolutely overwhelmed and in floods of tears when she heard she had won.
Her delighted mum said: “I’m so proud of Mia, she tries so hard. A big thank you to all the coaches at the club too.
“She takes part in all the fundraising and helps out with the kids too. I am overwhelmed that she won. All the children in her category were amazing.”
Next up was the One to Watch Award with Stagecoach West Scotland. This gong went to Amyleigh Cavanagh, who set up her dance school in North Ayrshire four years ago and has since seen it grow from strength to strength.
Amyleigh said: “It’s a complete honour just to be nominated. When you look at the people in the section I didn’t think in a million years I would win.
“I am amazed and totally honoured. I absolutely love what I do. It started off as a dream and with the right people around me it became a reality and now we are helping to make young people’s dreams come true.”
The Young Entrepreneur Award with Johnston Oils was won by Ashley Crookston, of Irvine, who runs Dance, Dream Inspire.
A gobsmacked Ashley said: “Oh my gosh I am so happy. I had no idea I would win.
“We just started up two and a half years ago and opened our studio in the summer, coaching 300 kids.
“I just love everything about what I do. It’s my dream.”
The Good Neighbour Award with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service went to David Reid, an exminer from Ochiltree.
David is one of a band of volunteers who helps to look after the community in Ochiltree and Skares, through various initiatives including the ‘ gritting gang’, keeping people safe and steady during the winter.
David said: “When you work underground you look after your own and I’ve never lost that.
“But there’s so many volunteers, so this award isn’t for me, it’s for Ochiltree.
“We have a great wee community and we are starting to thrive. We lost a lot, but we are coming back.”
The Browning’s the Bakers School Champion award went to Gemma Gillan, a teacher from Dalmilling Primary.
Gemma, who has been a driving force in the school’s football teams, said: “Both the girl and boys football teams are doing really well. We took a trip to Hampden to watch the Scotland ladies. It was overwhelming for them they loved it. Some of the kids were asking if they were in London.
“Every day is exciting.”
The Best Local Charity Award with the Rivergate Shopping Centre in Irvine was won by South Ayrshire School Clothes Bank.
The charity’s Nicola Cramond said: “It was a complete shock to be nominated a few weeks ago, so this is all quite surreal.
“We’re run ent i rely by volunteers and its nice to know there’s lots of people out there doing great stuff. It’s so nice to see great things going on in South Ayrshire.
“In 2019, 700 kids didn’t have a school uniform. It’s frightening, I had no idea before I set up the charity that the need was there. It’s on our door step, it’s happening in our schools where our kids are. We always try to put in a bit extra, like a Beano or book. It’s nice to get a school uniform but it’s nice to get a wee something extra too.”
The Contribution to the Community Award award with Spirit Aerosystems was won by mental health charity Minds Over Matter which has drop- ins in Ayr and Cumnock.
Since being set up a few months ago hundreds of people have come through the doors for support from children all the way up to people in their 70s.
The charity’s Caitlyn Nutt, who set it up following her own struggles with mental health, accepted the award.
Caitlyn said: “Everyone can suffer with their mental health and a lot of people can hide it by putting on a brave face.
“It’s really important to speak up if something is bothering you.”
The Unsung Hero Award with East, North and South Ayrshire Councils was won by Irvine’s Kevin Brown who set up Ayrshire
Fit Dads, a Facebook group which now has over 2500 members.
A delighted Kevin said the group, which has given guys a safe place to open up as well as enjoy sport, has exploded in the past year.
Kevin said: “We’ve taken non runners and made marathon runners and taken non- swimmers and made triathletes.”
Kevin also gave an impassioned plea to charities, the powers that be and those with influence in the community to come together and work together to help save lives.
He said: “Work with me to change the future.”
Ayrshire’s Sporting Hero, sponsored by the Irvine Herald, Kilmarnock Standard and the Ayrshire Post was won by the South Ayrshire Swim Team Para Squad.
Katie Campbell and a group of swimmers from the club went on stage to collect the award.
Katie praised the support from the young people’s parents who take their children all over the world to compete. She added: “We have world champions on the stage tonight.
“These young people deserve this award so much. The team spirit is great. They are just awesome.”
The final award of the evening was the Toast of Ayrshire, sponsored by the hosts, West FM and West Sound.
This special award was presented to the Ayrshire Hospice which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The charity’s John Corrigan, chair of the board of directors, accepted the award along with volunteers Willie and Lorna. John said: “I would like to thank West Sound and West FM for their support and for drawing attention to the Ayrshire Hospice.
“When people speak about the hospice they speak about people, people like the ones behind me, like Lorna who for 28 years has supported the hospice and like Willie who has been driving for us for 26 years.
“So many people in Ayrshire are living with life- limiting illnesses and because of the services the hospice provides they are living with these illnesses.
“One of the things a patient missed was being on the back of a bike and feeling the wind in her hair. This came to the attention of one of the hospice directors who got in touch with one of the business ambassadors and the next day that lady was in a soft top car with the wind blowing in her hair.
“We will be very soon announcing plans that will guarantee an Ayrshire Hospice for the next 30 years free of charge.”