Renfrew’s unsung heroes will get chance to shine once more

The prestigious prize is being launched by Renfrew Community Council and will honour those who go above and beyond in aid of others.

Past winners include youth worker Jim Ward and community stalwart Lindsay McKillop.

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Keith Matthews, vice-chair of the community council, said: “There are so many people who work in Renfrew and a lot of them work away for decades without any recognition.

“There will be youth leaders who spend 20 years helping others and get absolutely no praise.

“There could be someone who is caring for a family member and they just plough away.

“We are looking for the unsung heroes of the community.”

Town stalwart Effie McGachie is also a former winner and was the inspiration to bring back the award

Nominations are open to the public and anyone from youth organisation leaders to home carers can be put forward.

There is no age limit and the only requirement is that the community champion has made a difference to the lives of people in Renfrew.

Once a final list of nominations is received, a board consisting of members of the community council, local leaders and The Gazette will choose a winner

Keith revealed the idea to bring the awards back was inspired by long-term community council chair Effie McGachie’s last act in the hotseat.

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He said: “One of the last things Effie did before she stepped down was to bring the board with all the past winners to the front of the town hall so the public can see it. We then decided as a community council that we should bring back the award.”

Nominations are open until Tuesday, July 9, and you can submit your entry by going online at renfrewcommunitycouncil.com.

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