Community champs honoured at Evening Times gala awards

Project manager Heather McMillan and her colleagues could hardly believe it when the community station was revealed as the winner of the Community Spirit category in the 20th annual Evening Times Local Heroes awards.

The award gave extra lustre to Sunny Govan's twin anniversaries - 10 years serving Govan and one year on the FM frequency.

It came on an emotional afternoon when many people, including the host, DJ and Evening Times clubs columnist Heather Suttie, found themselves touched by the amazing dedication of many of the nominees.

The gala lunch, at the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock, belonged to all the nominees, groups and individuals, whether they won their categories or not.

Evening Times editor Donald Martin spoke of the "humbling and inspirational" nominees on show.

Deciding the winners in each of the three closely-fought group categories - they each received a cheque for £3000 - presented a headache for the judges.

It was no different in the Community Spirit bracket, where Sunny Govan 103.5FM emerged as winners.

"It is phenomenal to win - we are just delighted," said Heather McMillan as the applause from the audience of 250 rang in her ears.

"It is a fantastic reward for all our volunteers. They are a diverse team and I am extremely proud of them. A lot of people have overcome many barriers to participate.

"We could not be sure if we would win or not, but we felt that was not important. It was all about being here as a team, and taking time out from the normal day-to-day activities.

"Sunny Govan started up by compiling a community directory, and as I was doing it, I was passionate about what I was seeing there.

"If it was not for the type of groups we are seeing here today, I do not think the directory, or the community radio, would have happened."

Fittingly, as the venue was the hotel attached to Kilmarnock FC's ground, the winner of the Health and Wellbeing category was a local football team.

Mixes and Matches is for people with disabilities. Some have autism and others are recovering from brain injuries.

Former footballer Bobby McCorriston, who runs the group with a number of volunteers, said of his players: "If I can see everybody here smiling, then my job is done.

I am here to give them an hour away from whatever they do the rest of the week."

As he clutched the glass trophy, Bobby added: "It is out of this world - I can't believe it.

"I do it for the love of football, to give these guys something to do on a Monday night. We have been going for just over a year."

Bobby, who once played with Motherwell, went back to school' when he was 40, studying at Kilmarnock College after deciding he wanted to work with people with special needs and disabilities.

"I got the chance to do a sports course and decided it was the way for me to go. I also got a job with Kilmarnock FC, and then Mixes and Matches came up.

"Some guys had never kicked a football, now they are scoring goals."

The third group winner, in Breaking Down Barriers, was Saltire Strikers, a group of blind or visually impaired 10-pin bowlers, based at Springfield Quay in Glasgow's South Side.

Linda Mooney, secretary and one of the co-founders and the mother of Robert, said: "The nomination came as a surprise and it was a bigger shock to win the £3000.

"But we are delighted. The money will allow us to keep our tournament going and to buy equipment."

Editor Donald Martin said: "Since Local Heroes began in 1988, awards have been presented to hundreds of people who have made a positive impact on their communities.

"This is a celebration of those inspirational men and women who make an extraordinary contribution in so many ways.

"Selecting the winners from so many worthy contenders was a near-impossible task.

"Each nominee selflessly puts others' needs before their own, and without looking for any recognition or award. They are an inspiration to each and every one of us."

Heather Suttie added: "It was an incredibly humbling experience."

The three winning groups also received an engraved glass trophy and a certificate.

The four Young Heroes, all under 17, were each presented with gift certificates, while other awards recognised outstanding individual efforts.

The awards are organised by the Evening Times in partnership with BAE Systems, East Ayrshire Council, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Warburtons.