Honouring our heroes at the Provost Awards

Sep 26 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

THE search is on to find the unsung heroes living in Renfrewshire and reward them for the good they have done in the community.

Provost Celia Lawson has launched the 11th annual Provost’s Community Awards – dubbed The People’s Oscars – in a bid to honour the men, women and children who go the extra mile for others.

She is joined by singer and former Smooth Radio host Jackie Storrar – to find the stars of 2009.

Next year’s awards have been revamped with two new categories, which are the Spirit of Fairtrade Award and the Arts and Culture Award.

The changes have been brought about to give recognition to an even wider section of the community.

Provost Lawson explained: “The awards have always been a wonderful way to recognise the amazing stories and achievements of everyday people living here in Renfrewshire.

“This year we have decided to build on that tradition and expand it to include those who have made an outstanding achievement in the fields of art and culture and promoting the Fairtrade cause.

“I’m sure we can all think of someone who deserves to be nominated for an award whether it is a relative, friend, colleague or neighbour.”

The Spirit of Fairtrade Award, sponsored by the Piazza Shopping Centre in Paisley, has been introduced to support the council’s commitment to raising the profile of Fairtrade in Renfrewshire.

Nominees could be a business or charity which sells and promotes Fairtrade goods, or an individual or group whjch actively promotes Fairtrade.

Maureen Hill, Piazza centre manager, said: “We’ve also been involved with the Provost’s Community Awards for several years now, so it’s fantastic to be able to sponsor an award for a cause that is close to our heart.”

The categories are:

l Child of Achievement

l Carer’s Award

l Community Volunteer

l Special Needs

l Arts and Culture

l Adult Achiever

l Arts and Culture and

l Spirit of Fairtrade.

The Arts and Culture Award, sponsored by Acre Industrial and Cleaning Services, is open to any individual or group who has shown commitment to the arts and or culture – including music, art and photography.

Jim Price, managing director of Acre, said: “We have sponsored the awards for several years and it is always a great celebration of local people’s achievements.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring this new award, which will open the awards out to an even wider section of the community.”

This is Paisley Daily Express readers’ chance to recognise the special people in your community.

You can make a nomination at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/provostsawards