CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has welcomed unsung heroes from across the South of Scotland into the Scottish Parliament as part of a reception to celebrate their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Hoy organised the reception following a survey he conducted last year to nominate a local hero to attend the ceremonial opening of the Scottish Parliament with him.
Craig Hoy MSP said: “It was an honour to welcome local heroes from across the South of Scotland into the Scottish Parliament.
“Lockdown was a difficult time for many of our communities, but it also brought people together in interesting ways and inspired so many acts of generosity.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all of the fantastic local heroes who came to the reception in the Scottish Parliament, and thank everyone who helped their communities during the covid pandemic and beyond.”
Rab Moran of Haddington was selected to attend the opening of the Scottish Parliament with Mr Hoy thanks to his work attending to hundreds of flower planters in the town day-in, day-out and through his voluntary work as part of Our Community Kitchen, which has provided hot meals to thousands of residents of the town and the surrounding area, many of whom are at risk of isolation.
Community champions from the length and breadth of the South of Scotland attended Mr Hoy’s event, including Romie Blair from Dunbar Against Litter, Raymond Liddell who set up a community library outside of his home in Tranent and Fiona Reville from Girlguiding East Lothian.
Also in attendance was Shona Brash, who has been actively involved in beach cleaning and animal rescue in Port Seton and Cockenzie; Lesley Young, who helped to create craft packages for people during the height of the pandemic and has set up a litter-picking group in Tranent; and Sue Northrop, who headed North Berwick Community Council’s Emergency Resilience Plan during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
David Affleck, the President of East Linton’s Horticultural Society; Angela Davie, a Trust Manager at Pennypit Community Centre who has supported underprivileged children access sports and food in Prestonpans; and George Robertson, who helped to organise Dunbar’s response to the covid-19 pandemic and instigated many hot meals in the town, were also in attendance.
As was Douglas Robertson and Radio Saltire host Davie Martin, who have fundraised through the Tranent Belters to make a huge difference to the people of Tranent including elderly and vulnerable people; and Edward Paton, a support worker with ELCAP who went above and beyond to care for people in the community and support his wife after the sudden loss of her father, where he was able to fundraise £2,500 for funeral arrangements.
Haddington’s Pat Lemmon and Rab Moran were also in attendance, alongside Sarah Cudby from Gullane who helped to set up Gullane Village Association with Lorna Scott – who was unable to attend the event. Lyn Hamilton from Wee Red Upcycles was also at the event. Mrs Hamilton sourced and delivered over 2,000 wellbeing packages during lockdown and has taken part in fundraising activity such as the Great Kilt Walk to raise money for vulnerable groups.
Penicuik's Andrew Robertson, who repaired donated bikes to then pass on to new owners during lockdown was also at the reception.
Local hero Alison Hunton who ran Our Community Kitchen in Haddington for 6 months during the height of the covid pandemic said: “It is a privilege to be here on behalf of an incredible team that ran Our Community Kitchen during the pandemic.
“The team at OCK were able to deliver close to 6,000 hot meals to those who might have otherwise gone hungry during the pandemic.
“We really could not have done it without all of the amazing and devoted volunteers who dedicated their time and love into supporting the community.”
Longniddry’s Elaine Clarke said: “It was a real surprise and an honour to be invited to this reception for local heroes hosted by Craig Hoy MSP. I had a wonderful time meeting other volunteers who helped out during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I have been volunteering for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) for several years now, but the pandemic presented us with many challenges in providing support to children and families.
“During the first lockdown, I started making masks for friends and family members before the announcement by the First Minister that mask-wearing would be mandatory indoors.
“I remember on the night of the announcement, I had a huge number of orders and by the end of lockdown I had raised £15,500 for CHAS, making 4,500 masks in total!
“My volunteering with CHAS is so rewarding and enjoyable, and I would absolutely encourage anyone thinking of volunteering for CHAS to give it a go.”
North Berwick Community Chairperson Judy Lockhart-Hunter said: “It was such a lovely surprise to receive a letter from Craig Hoy MSP inviting me to a reception at the Scottish Parliament along with other volunteers, to celebrate the work we did to support our communities during COVID.
“Craig thanked everyone for their efforts and had lots of photos of all of the volunteers being shown on big screens. A lot of thought had gone into the event to put this together as a surprise ahead of time.
“It was lovely to meet other volunteers and catch up with people I had volunteered alongside in North Berwick, it was a really special evening. All volunteers were taken on a tour of the Scottish Parliament which was very interesting - I even got to sit in the first ministers chair! It was very kind of Craig to recognise volunteers in this way and I felt honoured to have been nominated.
“I am so grateful to everyone who volunteered to support North Berwick through covid and volunteering with the Community Council to support the town during covid is something I’ll never forget.”
