Volunteer award for dedicated Invergordon rugby mum
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A MEMBER of Invergordon’s Ross Sutherland Rugby Club has been recognised for her amazing volunteer work after it saw her secure more than £10,000 in new income for the outfit.
Marketing savvy Abbie McCahill (31) has been named BT Volunteer of the Month.
As the head of a marketing agency she used her professional skills to generate funds totalling £11,600 through selling advertising space.
She offered to do the leg work when the club set its sights on improving advertising revenues.
Along with confirming £3000 of repeat advertising she also managed to secure an incredible additional £8600 of new business.
As a result of her fantastic efforts in selling advertising space on the club’s fencing this has now all run out.
What had previously been limited to 15 advertising boards has increased to 54, resulting in the huge financial boost for the town club.
Abbie said: "It has been a pleasure to be involved with the club over the past year and I’m really happy to have played a part in boosting Ross Sutherland’s resources.
"I’ve been happy to bring my professional expertise to the fore to help out the club, in addition to mucking in with everyone else to keep things running smoothly.
"I’m delighted to be selected as BT Volunteer of the Month and can’t wait to see the club develop even more."
Abbie first joined Ross Sutherland a year ago when her son began playing P4/5 rugby there.
She is now an active and dedicated part of the club’s committee.
She has also been hands-on in helping at the club’s mini tournament and is regularly involved in club events and merchandising.
Ross Sutherland RFC bills itself as "the friendliest club in the north of Scotland" and as well as senior and ladies’ teams also runs four junior squads – from under 14s to under18s levels - and mini teams for P1-3, P4-5 and P6-7.
Club president John Scott said: "Abbie has been a real force of nature and done an incredible job of marketing our club and generating all this additional income.
"Visitors are amazed at the amount of pitch-side advertising we have.
"It’s amazing that she is already looking to next season with new sponsors and repeat advertising."
And he added that her efforts have resulted in a major boost across the board for the club.
"Her drive and enthusiasm have really rubbed off on everyone else and challenged us to do better in our own roles," he said.
Every winner of the BT Club Volunteer of the Month title is invited to the BT Murrayfield stadium to attend the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner along with nine of their friends.
At the awards dinner, due to take place next year, each of the winners will be in with a chance to win the BT Club Volunteer of the Season award, which will be announced on the night.
The winner of this annual award will then receive a grant of £1000 for their club.
To nominate a club or volunteer for the BT Awards see http://www.scottishrugby.org/clubnominations
