Provost honours community heroes
Outstanding local community organisations and individuals have been recognised through the North Lanarkshire’s Provost’s Citizenship Awards.
Now in its second year, Provost Jean Jones visited the winners to present them with their prizes after delays due to the Covid pandemic.
Local residents were asked to nominate individuals or groups deserving of recognition for the “outstanding efforts they make to help change and improve the lives of others”.
Following a shortlisting process, the winners were crowned as Craigneuk Lifelong Learning Centre; Fraser Fleming, from Motherwell; Lanarkshire Deaf Club in Motherwell; Mary Wood, of Viewpark, Cumbernauld Resilience Group and James Brown, of Airdrie.
Craigneuk Lifelong Learning Centre is an organisation offering invaluable support, services and activities to people of all ages in the local community.
During the health pandemic they helped people with things including food parcels, stationery packs for home schooling, school uniforms and Christmas presents.
Lanarkshire Deaf Club provides help, activities and support to people of all ages. Various groups and activities for all age groups and offer Deaf Awareness training and British Sign Language training to local businesses, other voluntary organisations and individuals.
Fraser Fleming helped set-up the Tr ipleTapTe ch char ity to assist as many people as possible with a visual impairment so they can access and use technology to stay connected and independent.
Fraser is registered as blind and has dedicated his time and talent to help others.
James Brown worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic in his role as a volunteer with Lifesavers Scotland by helping to deliver vital services to hospitals and medical facilities.
Mary Wood recently retired after 50 years of community work in Viewpark.
Cumbernauld Resilience Group was established in response to Covid-19. The group of more than 120 volunteers have helped many others in the region by providing essential support services, meals, and everyday support.
Provost Jones told the Wishaw Press: “We have some outstanding people and organisations in North Lanarkshire who go above and beyond to help others in our communities.
“Our citizenship awards are about recognising those that go that extra mile to help others.
“This year, we have some really deserving and inspirational winners, and I am very grateful to everyone who took the opportunity to put forward their nominations.”