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Gairloch Community Car Scheme presented with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services by Ross and Cromarty Lord Lieutenant


By Hector MacKenzie

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Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford with Donnie MacKay.
Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford with Donnie MacKay.

VOLUNTEERS have been honoured for their efforts running a community car scheme in a Wester Ross village.

Gairloch Community Car Scheme (GCCS) has been presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services.

The group helps to provide transport for residents in an area where public transport is limited and is often focused on longer-distance journeys to hubs such as Inverness, Dingwall and Ullapool.

It is also of particular benefit to those who experience transport poverty or other barriers which can lead to severe isolation. The group were presented with the award by Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford last week.

On behalf of the council’s Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee, chairman Cllr Ian Cockburn said: “We are delighted that the hard work of everyone involved has been recognised by such a prestigious award. The work has been vital to ensuring that the community remains connected.

“They have also worked with our council transport staff to implement an innovative project which delivers school transport in the Poolewe area at a lower cost than a traditional contract model. The multi-purpose vehicle in use for this project is available for utilisation outside of school journey times to address a variety of local community transport needs and other areas of the Highlands are looking to set up a similar partnership approach.

“It shows just what can be achieved by a small but very active group of volunteers.”

Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford, who presented the award outside the car scheme’s new premises in Poolewe, said: “They are a fantastic group of volunteers.

“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic they have continued their lifeline service to this remote Wester Ross community, though passengers were largely replaced with shopping and prescriptions.

“This year is their 20th anniversary, and with another car added to their fleet, they are going from strength to strength.”


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