BBC award wins for New Start Highland Gardens and Seonag Anderson
Two BBC awards are coming back to the Highlands after judges were impressed by charitable projects in the region.
The founders of a community garden project and a dedicated local fundraiser were among the local winners at a BBC awards event.
The winners were announced at the BBC Make a Difference Awards in Scotland ceremony in Glasgow yesterday.
Donald Graham and Laura Deans from Inverness took home the Green Award, for transforming lives through New Start Highland Gardens.
The charity has offered more than 11,000 opportunities for people in crisis to improve their wellbeing through horticulture, environmental conservation, and community connection.
James Dunbar, from New Start Highland Gardens, accepted the award on behalf of Donald and Laura.
“It’s fabulous. I mean it’s just thrilling for everyone at New Start Highland,” James said.
“We’re delighted. We thought to be a finalist was a thrill but to actually win, it will mean so much to them.”
The Green Award was judged by Blythe Duff, who played Jackie Reid in STV mainstay Taggart between 1984 and 2011.
“I love what New Start Highland Gardens have achieved in a relatively short time,” Ms Duff said.
“The benefits folk gain from participating are obviously helpful in themselves, but to produce something edible or beautiful to look at which others can enjoy, was especially inspiring.
“I like how they adapt their summer activity to make it a year-round project.
“I might need to grab some culinary tips! Congratulations Donald and Laura!”
Also among the winners was a dedicated community fundraiser from Inverness, who won the BBC Radio nan Gàidheal Award.
This award, voted for by radio listeners, went to Seonag Anderson for organising events like ceilidhs, raffles, and Ladies Nights for various local charities under her own brand “Team Seonag”.
Seonag, originally from North Uist, is as well known for her infectious laugh as for her tireless generosity.
“I wanted to give back to the small community groups who don't get anything, it gives me great joy,” she added.
“There's no other kindness like that of the Gaels and the islanders.
“I couldn't do this on my own, I'm the captain giving the orders, but I do a lot of work behind the scenes, working late and the like.
“It gives me great joy to work in the community and also encouraging people to participate.
“They may think they can't do it (fundraise/set up an event) but you can if you put your mind to it, it can be hard at times but you can achieve it, and it's good to see how people value what you do."
The award was judged by professional mountain biker Kerry MacPhee, former Scottish Mountain Bike Champion and was the first woman from the Western Isles to compete in the Commonwealth Games.
Kerry is a Gaelic language advocate, a presenter and a regular contributor to television and radio programmes.
"It was near impossible to choose from a shortlist of folk so alike in their kindness, generosity and community benevolence,” she added.
“In the end, it was Seonag’s relentless commitment to her cause that won me over, a trait I can really identify with!
“I particularly liked that the initial motivation came from a desire to pay forward the kindness she had felt when she first moved to Inverness.
“Invisible hands are everywhere and it’s wonderful to see that spirit carried forward."
Also among the award winners was a Moray woman who has helped improve the lives of countless people living with Parkinson’s.
Jo Holland from Elgin won the Active Award for her role in creating Parkinson's Beats, a drumming exercise programme that enhances the health and wellbeing of people with Parkinson's throughout Scotland.
“I think it’s unbelievable,” she added.
“I’d be speechless, but I’m never speechless.
“I’m amazed, there are so many people that are doing such great work and I’m just having fun with a drum.
“I do it because I love it. It’s not work, it’s not hard, it’s just pleasure.
“Why wouldn’t I do it?”
The Active Award category was judged by Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill, who star in BBC Scotland's Jules and Greg's Wild Swim and are familiar faces in in shows like Balamory, Scot Squad, Chewin' The Fat and Still Game.
“After careful deliberation, we picked Jo as the winner of the Active Award,” the judges said.
“She has made such an impact on the health and wellbeing of people with Parkinson’s through the drumming group she helped to create - Parkinson’s Beats.
“Both her spirit and dedication make her such a worthy winner of this award.”