Badenoch and Strathspey share in 'Third Sector' awards
The strath claimed a hat-trick of Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI)awards at a highly successful live virtual ceremony.
The flagship annual event for volunteers, community groups and voluntary organisations was forced online by the Covid-19 pandemic, but in doing so, earned a larger audience, via Facebook Live.
One of the strath’s headliners was Patsy Rimell, whose work in establishing the Badenoch-based social enterprise Caberfeidh Horizons, was praised by Voluntary Action in Badenoch and Strathspey’s chief officer Karen Derrick, successfully nominating her as Board Trustee of the Year.
Mrs Rimell’s “extraordinary commitment over many years to helping improve the lives of the staff, volunteers and users of Caberfeidh Horizons” was an inspiration to all.
Ms Derrick said: “Patsy is a really strong leader and a good chairperson, inspirational in helping people make the best they can of their lives.”
Grantown’s own Heather Fraser was recognised for her “incredible” work during the Covid-19 response, which had given so much support to grateful members of her local community.
She received the accolade for 2020’s Covid Response Volunteer.
Grantown Here to Help won Judges’ Recognition of the Year.
Mhairi Whylie, HTSI chief officer, said: “They did an absolutely outstanding and inspiring job in responding to Covid.
“We’ve already heard that we’ve got an incredible volunteer in Heather, but obviously that involves a full spectrum of community individuals working hard and tirelessly seven days a week.”
She had opened the ceremony stating: “We want to share our celebration by inviting everyone to join us from the comfort of their own home,” and heralding a congratulatory message from Aileen Campbell, cabinet secretary for communities and local government.
Other speakers included Pam Dudek, NHS Highland chief who recognised the “outstanding work done by all of you, and how important integration is if we’re going to work together to support people to do well in their communities in these circumstance”, and comedy star Janey Godley said: “Yous have been doin’ an amazing job during Covid lockdown, so I thought I’d come and say ‘Hiya’!”
