They really make a big difference to our lives

Jul 14 2009 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

CARING people who have made a positive impact on others were honoured at a special gathering.

The Celebrating Success Awards are now in their third year and are staged to recognise the efforts of groups and individuals who go that extra mile to improve the lives of others in their community.

Organised by Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company, the event at Paisley Town Hall saw 11 awards presented, with many of them sponsored by partnership organisations.

Alan McNiven, PPRC manager, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of nominations we received this year.

“Choosing a shortlist of three for each category was a really difficult task.

“The awards are a way of thanking and giving recognition to individuals, groups and organisations who are going that extra mile to make Renfrewshire a great place to live and work.

“We would like to thank all the winners and runners-up for making it such a special evening.

“We’d also like to thank all our sponsors and presenters, whose contribution and support are essential to making the awards happen.”

The winner in the Group Learner category was the Barnardo’s Winter Leavers project, while the runners-up were Unity Enterprise and the Flexi Care Conservation Group.

In the Individual Learner category, the winner was Allan Lowe, while the runners-up were Michaela McPherson and Mick Arnott.

The Fitness for Ferguslie project was victorious in the Community Voices Group Award category, with the Sma’ Shot Celebration Group and Activate being named as runners-up.

Penny Baldwin was successful in the Community Voices Individual Award category. The runners-up were Susan McDermott and Angela Doherty.

Winner

Barnardo’s Paisley Threads project was the winner of the Fairer Scotland Project of the Year Award, with runner-up prizes going to Women & Children First and Barnardo’s Works Renfrewshire.

The New Social Enterprise Award went to the WRVS, while Paisley-based Rainbow Turtle and Kibble were the runners-up.

The winner of the Renfrewshire Workforce Plus Employer Award was THS, although they were run close by Kidds Distribution Services and Craigielea Home.

Ryan Lochhead was presented with the Renfrewshire Workforce Plus Individual Award, with Toni Canning and Neill Shirlaw named as runners-up.

The Into Work Award went to Julie Jones and the runners-up were Craig Larkin and Lee Sproul.

Walking away with the Youth in Our Community Award was the team from Trinity High School in Renfrew and the runners-up were Ceilidh Johnstone and Renfrewshire Youth Voice.

Tommy McGrory, of the Paisley-based Loud ‘n’ Proud School of Rock, won the Recognition Award and the runners-up were Jane Walker and Cathy McInally.