Winners come from all areas of the community

TROSSACHS SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM: Now in its 20th year, TSAR has delivered a community based, wholly professional service supporting communities and the emergency services. The team’s urban search and rescue dogs are used by the Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland to locate victims in incidents of building collapse. They deliver free CPR classes for communities, voluntary organisations and schools. For the last 10 years they have provided the First Responder service for the Scottish Ambulance Service in West Stirling, from Strathblane to Strathyre. They now manage a network of 120 defibrillators across the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and support the emergency services with water rescue, land based search and rescue, medical support and 4x4 support. During last winter’s extreme weather the team worked tirelessly responding to emergency calls, taking staff and patients to and from hospital and taking care and nursing staff to the homes of critical care patients, also delivering prescription medicines to housebound elderly patients and walking through severe conditions to deliver food parcels to residents cut off in the Carron Valley. MHOR GROUP: The Mhor Group was said to be a major contributor to the economy of rural Stirling, with presence in several locations. Their portfolio includes Mhor Fish, Mhor Bread, Mhor 84 and Monachyle Mhor. The business is“very innovative”and continues to grow, employing a large number of people in the local area. MOIRA WELSH: Balquhidder’s regular“postie”for many years, she is regarded as an“institution”. Described as a trusted friend and neighbour to the farthest flung members of the scattered community she delivers mail to. Moira is held in high esteem by all who know her and respect her dedication to duty in all weathers. She was said to have a“willingness to give time to lonely and elderly residents and is happy to literally go the extra mile for people”, with her service to the community over the years “incalculable”. JAMES INNES: An active member of Kilmadock Community Council for over 25 years and chairman for the past six. Passionate and committed to improving the environment and wellbeing of all the community, he has been responsible for the reinstatement of the village clock. He is a member of the steering committee for the Wind Farm Trust and has taken a major role in the development of Doune Ponds and installation of new play equipment in the park. James organises and ensures the villages of Doune and Deanston’s Christmas lights are installed each year. RICHARD HARRIS AND DAVID JOHNSTON: Richard has worked tirelessly since moving to Balquhidder in 2006 to bring superior grade broadband to the glen. Despite many setbacks the formal launch has taken place and the community has been out in force to help dig in their gigabit fibre. There are now a dozen homes connected with the rest to follow as soon as possible over the course of this year, weather permitting. David meanwhile has done a huge amount of work for the Balquhidder Community Broadband Project dealing with the bureaucracy of various government support schemes, negotiating with the internet service provider, lobbying everyone from Westminster ministers to local councillors, and always being there on the ground, organising and taking part in work parties and other necessary jobs. While the project itself a community effort, David was said to stand out as someone who has “brought the whole thing to life”. DHERAJ SHAMOO: Inspirational in establishing and developing a youth project in the Doune and Deanston area, he has also set up several new initiatives. An after-school club provides a vital service to locals and a new 1-2-1 support programme aims to be an early intervention system for young people who need additional support. Dheraj has also coached Doune Cricket Club Juniors to several wins. Coaching takes place on Sunday mornings and he has built up a junior section of over 25 members from four to 13-year-olds. DOUNE COMMUNITY WOODLAND GROUP: In June 2017 the group were awarded the small community section of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards in recognition of their tremendous work. The Wednesday club, comprising mainly of retired volunteers, turn out in all weathers to carry out maintenance and improvement work to this 40 acre nature reserve to enable the local community and visitors to enjoy what the site has to offer. Since taking over the site in October 2014 many improvements have been made including building a new bridge, improving the path network and constructing over 1000 metres of new path to enable those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters the opportunity to navigate around the main pond. A picnic area has been transformed and a number of family and visitor outdoor activities held. To date 5000 volunteer hours have been recorded since 2014. SION BARRINGTON: Sion was said to have made a great contribution to his community by devoting time to several organisations. He is a member of Trossachs Search and Rescue Team and through his efforts the first of the village defibrillators in the National Park was funded and positioned in Croftamie. He is a first responder, volunteers with Walk in the Park health walks in Drymen and Croftamie and is responsible for environmental improvements in Croftamie, planting and tending a number of areas. A director of Croftamie Community Trust, he is always at the forefront of volunteering for tasks, from a regular volunteer helping travellers on and off the local Thursday minibus with their shopping or acting as MC for Drymen, Buchanan and Croftamie Gala Day.