CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has recently recognised the work of ‘Community Champions’ from across East Lothian at a reception held in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate volunteers in health, well-being and sport from across the South Scotland region.
Mr Hoy’s reception included performances by the East Lothian Senior String Ensemble who were the winners of the Scottish Young Ensemble of the Year, and provided light refreshments and a tour of the Scottish Parliament building for the champions.
The MSP selected three stand-out volunteers in health, well-being and sport respectively from across East Lothian for whom he tabled motions to the Scottish Parliament for.
Laura Young, the founder of the Teapot Trust, was recognised as the winner of the ‘Health’ category. Since the establishment of the Teapot Trust in 2010, she has helped to provided hundreds of chronically ill children in the UK with art therapy, with the Teapot Trust helping over 16,000 children.
David Habgood was declared the winner of the ‘well-being’ category for his voluntary work for Ageing Well Dunbar, where he set up and leads mental health walks in East Lothian. He also voluntarily maintains several core paths in East Lothian, supervises and assesses Duke of Edinburgh expeditions through the county and has helped to develop outdoor learning with forest school specialists for primary school children in East Lothian.
Graham Robertson was recognised as a Community Champion in Sport for his work as a team leader of coaches at Haddington Community Football Club, where he voluntarily manages football training sessions for boys and girls and has helped to deliver two weekly training sessions, and matches on a Sunday, for five years.
Craig Hoy MSP said: “It was an honour to welcome local heroes from across East Lothian 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.”
Graham Robertson, who was the overall winner of the Sport category, said: “I was both surprised and honoured to be recognised as a community champion, especially as the nominations were put forward from parents and grandparents of our club.
“Ultimately though it felt like I was receiving recognition on behalf of all the volunteer coaches and committee members who give countless hours of dedication across all grassroots sports in our local community.”
David Habgood, the overall winner of the well-being category, said: “I was surprised and a little embarrassed to get this award, for doing activities I have always enjoyed. Over the years I have worked with so many other people who have voluntarily given up time to help communities and feel this award does, in some way, also recognise the work they have done.”
Patricia Lemmon, co-founder of the Lammermuir Larder, who was also in attendance for her work with the Larder said: “I was truly honoured to have been nominated as a community champion and accept the invitation on behalf of every volunteer at the Lammermuir Larder in Haddington.
“As a community food initative we rely heavily on the support of the community who enable us to supply fresh meat, healthy frozen meals and fresh fruit and vegetables in the weekly food order we supply to some of the most vulnerable people in our area. It was wonderful for Craig to acknowledge the work we do here.”
