CAMPAIGNERS and supporters of a charity fighting heart disease have been honoured for their hard work.

Evening Times reporter Caroline Wilson was among the 'Heart Heroes' recognised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland.

Caroline was named Campaigner of the Year for her work on our Opt for Life campaign during the charity's annual supporters' conference in Glasgow yesterday.

Other honoured included Laurence McCall, for Retail Volunteer of the Year.

He gives up his free time to work at the BHF Scotland's furniture and electrical store in the city's Stockwell Street.

Gordon Dean from Edinburgh was crowned Fundraiser of the Year; Diane Watt, from Shetland, was named Volunteer of the Year and Gillian Duncan, from Fife, won the Lifesaver of the Year award.

Building giant Lend Lease's Guvnors Club was named Corporate Partner of the Year.

Caroline has spent the last three years leading Opt for Life, which is calling for Scotland to switch to an opt-out organ transplant system to help save more lives.

She dedicated her award to Anders Gibson, a supporter of the campaign who died last month after living with cystic fibrosis.

Caroline said: "I'd like to dedicate this award to Anders, who died in May. He had cystic fibrosis and unfortunately his transplant didn't work out for him.

"He really helped with the Opt Out campaign and did so much for it."

Caroline said she felt humbled by winning.

She said: "This award is for the paper. It is very humbling when I hear the stories of the others who have won awards - I was just doing my job.

"The campaign is not over and we will keep fighting for an opt out system."

Marjory Burns, director at BHF Scotland, said: "Without campaigners like Caroline bringing such issues to decision makers' attention, we wouldn't be able to campaign to protect the country's heart health as effectively as we do."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk