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Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2025 finalists

View the finalists of the Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2025 awards:

Aberdeenshire’s Future award

Eilidh Caie (Strichen)

Eilidh is in primary 7 at Strichen School. She found out she had Type 1 Diabetes when she was in Primary 4, and yet the way she handled not only the diagnosis but also her role raising awareness is outstanding. 

Eilidh has been fundraising for two years to ensure that the Grampian T1 diabetes group can enjoy fun activities together. For two years, Eilidh has had a stall at the school Christmas Fair where she has sold crafts that she made herself to raise money for the group. In addition, she has attended other fundraising events outwith school selling her crafts. 

She has shown determination, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude. Far from letting diabetes stop her, she always helps others, helps her peers, and contributes to fundraising efforts. The future for Eilidh looks bright. 

Anthony McKillop (Tarland)

Anthony started working in Tarland as a school leaver at 16 as part of the Hospitality Apprenticeship Northeast Programme and has been part of the community ever since.  

Despite not growing up in Tarland, and moving into the village without knowing anyone, in such a short time he has become an integral part of the community and has supported, in numerous ways, village life through his volunteering and fundraising efforts with local organisations.  

In 2020, Anthony volunteered with the Cromar Community Council, stepping in as a temporary coordinator and runner to help vulnerable people in need. In 2022 he started to support the Cromar Voluntary Patient Transport Group - who have since said they couldn’t run their services without him. He is a keen fundraiser for groups including Mrs Murray’s home for cats and dogs. He started the Santa’s Grotto and Light Trail at Douneside House. As a member of the community garden in Tarland, he has helped with their Open Days and fundraising efforts. 

Despite being just 21 now, he already has many years of voluntary service under his belt – and he has shown great commitment and passion to the causes he chooses.  

Madison Reid (Cornhill)

P6 pupil Madison decided on a unique challenge to fundraise for The Archie Foundation by Highland Dancing in different towns of the alphabet. 

Starting in April 2024, Madison set out and danced in Aberchirder to Zoar (near Forfar), travelling as far as Disneyland Paris and all over Scotland. She also put on a show for the children on the ward at the children’s hospital. She completed her task in November 2024, documenting her journey on her Facebook page "Madisons ABC Fundraiser for The Archie Foundation". 

But she didn’t stop there! Always sharing her skills with the other pupils, she has since inspired a lunchtime Dance Club in school with some of the other pupils. Madison has shown us all that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve greatness. 

Beautiful Aberdeenshire Environmental award

Turning the Plastic Tide (Aberdeenshire)

Turning the Plastic Tide is a beach cleaning initiative, by the East Grampian Coastal Partnership, which was first started in late 2018 as a direct result of the volume of litter accumulating along the East Grampian coastline from Fraserburgh down to St Cyrus. 

The small team work tirelessly to raise awareness of marine litter issues and advocate marine environmental stewardship to help improve Aberdeenshire’s coastline for all to enjoy. The project excels in coordinating beach cleaning, linking in with communities, schools, and businesses, to focus effort on the worst affected areas. 

To date they have carried out over 300 beach cleans, engaging directly with more than 7,900 volunteers, and removing more than 110 tonnes of litter from Aberdeenshire’s coastline.  In 2024, the project organised 59 beach cleans which were attended by 1,201 volunteers from schools, the community and corporations. Over 38 tonnes of litter were removed from the coastline. 

Gordon Prentice (Westhill)

Gordon Prentice joined Westhill and Elrick Community Council in early 2020. He proposed the idea of an Orbital Trail to create a 12km connected path all the way around Westhill. He led a project team to progress it, and the Trail was officially opened in autumn 2021.

Gordon organised many hundreds of volunteer hours on parts of the Trail and there is ongoing work to maintain the paths. In 2023 Gordon received a large grant for major improvements in accessibility to the paths through Carnie Woods. He was also successful in raising major funding for new-build burn crossings, new paths, and upgrades to existing paths in Denman Park. This project was completed in 2024 and has resulted in a significant increase in residents exploring Denman Park. 

Gordon also took over the role of arranging the twice-monthly litter picks. In total in 2024, 25 volunteers contributed to a total of 203 hours at the picks. Some of these volunteers also do regular litter-picking on their own at other times. The success of these projects was mainly due to Gordon’s commitment to his open spaces and his community. 

Ury Riverside Park (Inverurie)

The Ury Riverside Park is currently being developed by the community for people and wildlife together on the flood plain of the River Ury through the Ury Riverside Park group. It is a unique long-term project creating a large semi-natural park in the heart of a town by the community for the community. The development of the 61-hectare park started in 2016 following extensive community consultation. 

In 2024 over 650 hours of time was given by volunteers. The park is being developed to be as accessible as possible to all users including those using wheelchairs, buggies, or prams. A 3km network of paths was installed from 2016 to give access around the park and to link a new housing development with the centre of Inverurie to enable local people to walk or cycle into the town centre. 

A staggering range of habitats is being created including native woodland planted with over 4,000 trees planted by volunteers, wet wildflower meadow, amenity grassland and seasonal wetland areas. Other areas of the park are being allowed to develop through natural regeneration. The park is designed to be flood resilient 

The habitats are now supporting a wide range of species including many nationally scarce or declining species. The wetland, meadows and grasslands store large amounts of carbon and keeping the soils covered and undisturbed by cultivation helps to keep the carbon stored in the soil and not released to the atmosphere. 

To quote the group themselves, - it is a “park for people and wildlife to enjoy together.” 

Community Spirit award

The Rannes Hall Management Committee (Kennethmont)

The Rannes Hall Management Committee is a registered charity and is a group of individuals who volunteer to manage the community owned village hall in Kennethmont near Huntly. They not only manage the hall to ensure its upkeep, but commit to remaining community owned and offering services that are open to all.

Over the course of 2024 the committee went above and beyond to achieve these goals. Through the application of grants, fundraising activities and contacting local businesses they have established a monthly community café, installed a ‘Give and Take Hub’ and upgraded the building itself. They also worked to support other groups like the Rhynie Seed Library, Kennethmont School Partnership, Tap O' Noth Defibrillators, Kennethmont Toddlers, Gordon Rural Action, Rannes Badminton Club and Poppy Scotland 

Everything they do is undertaken by volunteers with a desire to promote the community spirit in the village and ensure that the hall remains community owned for years to come. 

Darren Robertson (Portlethen)

Darren is chairman of the Portlethen Town Association and the Portlethen Gala. These groups provide the Christmas tree, Christmas lights and the Gala. He is also on the committee for the Portlethen Jubilee Hall. Since he joined the Jubilee Hall committee, the hall has been transformed - in no small part - thanks to Darren, who arranged for all the new chairs and tables as well as the decoration of the space itself.

He organises the yearly Santa Run which brings smiles to the faces of residents as Santa goes around the streets, and he arranged for defibrillators to be installed around the town.

Portlethen is very lucky to have Darren as a resident and this nomination is a way for the community to say thank you. 

Westhill Community Resilience Group (Westhill)

Since 2020, this group, which includes representatives from local faith communities, the community council, rotary club, senior citizens club, and the wider community within Westhill, demonstrated exceptional dedication and compassion in supporting vulnerable members of the community, particularly those living alone and isolating.

From 2020-2022 their efforts have not only helped the community navigate through lockdowns and uncertainty, but the group provided support through various initiatives to over 600 members and laid a strong foundation for ongoing support and resilience. 

In March 2023, when it was confirmed that a local hotel was going to provide accommodation for people seeking asylum, they again leapt into action, to work out how they could provide practical support to those arriving. In just under a year, they produced welcome packs to the asylum seekers on arrival, set up a clothing donation strategy and system, welcomed the asylum seekers to their respective groups, provided support with language skills, set up a bike project to provide transport, provided and facilitated sporting activities, and supported the sourcing of laptop and computers to help the asylum seekers keep in touch with family at home. 

Moreover, their dedication extends beyond material aid, as they actively ensure there are volunteering opportunities within the community for the hotel residents, which supports integration and understanding for all parties.

Their efforts have not only transformed lives but have also strengthened the fabric of the  community, making Westhill a place of hope, support, and resilience.

Heart of Aberdeenshire Caring award

Robbie Sturrock (Peterhead)

Robbie has, for decades, run the Peterhead firefighter charity fundraising drive.

He has organised and arranged thousands of gifts for local children at Christmas, as well as money and awareness for the charity. Robbie was a wholetime firefighter for 30 years and has gone above and beyond throughout his career to organise fundraising events like open days, car washes, collections, Santa fire engines, quizzes, football matches and Christmas fairs. 

Robbie has done all of this whilst remaining in the background – working to ensure the charities he supports are the ones who get the awareness, and not him. Inspiring Aberdeenshire is about shining a spotlight on people who get little recognition elsewhere and Robbie is an example of that. 

The nomination for him simply ended with “Robbie deserves this so much”. 

Kirsten Macdonald (Banff)

Kirsten established Aberdeenshire Community Support over 10 years ago to provide care and lifelong learning for a small group of very vulnerable young adults who had left school and college. The young people were unable to access traditional day services as their individual needs were more specific, including physical disability, learning disability, autism and epilepsy. However, Kirsten was able to engage them in group activities and events using the skills and personal qualities she had acquired as a nurse and a college lecturer.

The group continues to meet twice weekly, and the school leavers are now young adults. Although their needs are very individual, they consider their fellow learners to be their friends and think of Kirsten almost as a family member. Without the weekly sessions there would be no equivalent suitable service that they could access. Kirsten provides a caring and safe learning environment for the young adults who go to the group - and a lifeline for parents and carers. 

James Stewart (Inverurie)

James run JAS counselling in Inverurie, helping people across Aberdeenshire. 

In his nomination, it reads “I discovered James at a desperate time for our family, we were desperately worried about our teen, suffice to say we were lost, sad and scared. I made contact and he was absolutely amazing from the start. He immediately made contact and had regular appointments. No matter what, we know if there’s a crisis we can get help.”

The care James offers his clients to help them on the path to wellness and support is not only so much appreciated but also lifesaving

The nomination ends with: “A few months down the line and what a difference! I can’t praise him enough for making our child so much happier by being able to talk and gain the confidence and faith in herself to move forward positively. He is certainly a winner to us.”

Inspirational Volunteer award

Buchan Community Support Team (Peterhead)

The Buchan Community Support team have come together to help out where they can in their community. The support they offer extends to anything and everything. 

Some have their own children and families, but use their spare time to come together and help anyone in need. They have delivered food parcels, electric, hot food and power banks for families in the area and as far as Newmachar. They have also helped to clear roads blocked with water, delivered sandbags and transported nurses to work and families home from school in poor weather conditions. They have gone above and beyond for those in need, out of the kindness of their own hearts. What a great group, who always have their communities back. 

Jo Houghton-Evans (Hatton of Fintray)

Jo is a volunteer and Breastfeeding Peer Supporter for the Kintore and Blackburn NHS Breastfeeding Support Group, who works tirelessly to support mums, babies and families. 

Jo volunteers weekly to provide the emotional and educational support, reassurance, and confidence that is lacking for this community. She not only supports mothers and families but has also been an advocate for identifying and promoting safe spaces for women to feed their babies in the local area. Jo's group has created a valuable community network for mothers in the area. 

Many of the testimonies discuss the role Jo and her group have played in their mental health post baby, and the formation of a network of friends and community of support. 

Networks such as these are invaluable in our society and your support is so much appreciated. 

The ‘A Bear Named Buttony’ volunteers (Ballater)

A Bear Named Buttony supports children and young people who have a stoma. For children, they gift a bear with a stoma as well as a book and for young adults, a wash bag full of non-medical items to help adjust to life with a stoma. Their aim is to raise positive awareness of living with a stoma.

The volunteers work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide a new perspective for young people with a stoma, to challenge the perception of this being a problem. 

In a testimonial, one parent said: "At a time when we were at our lowest point, and I as an adult was struggling to explain what was going on to myself, let alone my little girl, Buttony came along and was a ray of sunshine. Buttony enabled me to explain things in a way that up until then I couldn't. It made her feel a little more "normal" and gave her someone who could go on this journey with us - someone just like her.” 

Local Hero Courage award

Lynn Easdale (Fraserburgh)

Lynn lost her son Jayden when he was only six years old, to a rare genetic condition. One year later, her eldest took their own life after months of struggling with their loss.

Despite unimaginable heartbreak, Lynn has done so much for the charity Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). She’s abseiled, zip-lined, and trekked the Sahara. She’s raised over £5,000 for CHAS. Lynn also dedicates a lot of time looking after children with Additional Support Needs. The nomination said Lynn deserves recognition for her huge heart, and even though it has been broken twice in such a short time she’s always smiling.

It is her courage in the face of her own grief that makes Lynne an Inspiration. 

David Jarvis (Aberchirder)

David Jarvis is a remarkable testament to resilience and community dedication. 

His own personal battles include overcoming life-changing injuries, a medical discharge from the Army, and a challenging diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, a life-threatening diagnosis which saw David only days from death. 

His extraordinary achievement of winning gold in the Men’s Cycling Time Trial at the 2023 Invictus Games is only the beginning; it served as a catalyst for his passionate commitment to cycling, fitness and wellbeing within the community. Capitalising on his Invictus Games success, David visited local primary schools, uniformed groups, and community organisations, as well as local and national charities, to share his story and inspire others.

David Jarvis embodies the essence of a bravery and is a real hero. 

Riley Dennehy (Peterhead)

What 13-year-old Riley has done in the face of bullying shows the most graceful bravery of all.  

He is described as the sweetest and most polite young boy. Despite the victimisation he has been subjected to, he remains caring and respectful. 

Riley has a keen interest in freestyle dancing and to support his dreams he took the ‘leap’ to join Dansation dance classes as the only boy. Riley won his first trophy during his first competition, coming in fourth place. He is a caring and kind individual showing that boys can and always should chase their dreams – countering any traditional stereotypes and helping break the mould for young men. 

He has shown an inspiring amount of courage despite his challenges and has proven that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. 

Cultural award

Garlogie Beam Engine Trust (Garlogie)

The Garlogie Beam Engine Trust have been shortlisted for their exceptional contribution to Aberdeenshire’s heritage and community. In just 15 months, the Trust has worked tirelessly on the restoration of the Garlogie Beam Engine and hydroelectric plant, turning a vital piece of industrial history into a living, educational resource.

What truly sets the Trust apart is their commitment to connecting people with their shared heritage. Through monthly open days, participation in Doors Open Days, and presence at local events like the Crathes Steam Fair, they have welcomed over 350 visitors in the past year alone. Their dedication has transformed the site into a vibrant cultural and educational destination, attracting both heritage enthusiasts and those discovering Aberdeenshire’s industrial past for the first time.

By revitalising the Garlogie Beam Engine as an educational and cultural landmark, the Trust has strengthened community connections, preserved vital heritage, and fostered public appreciation for Aberdeenshire’s industrial past. 

Alford Valley Community Railway (Alford)

Alford was once connected by a branch line of the main Aberdeen to Inverness railway (opened in 1859). Passenger and freight services stopped in 1949 and 1965 respectively. In 2019, the community rallied, and a new Community Benefit Society and Charity was formed to pursue the restoration and re-imagination of the railway as a visitor attraction and community resource.

In September 2023, a narrow-gauge line re-opened to visitors and has been thriving ever since. The physical work on the AVCR has included the refurbishment of the main station building, engine shed and track as well as landscaping and works to train engines and has been mainly achieved by volunteers and supported by other local groups, meaning that it is a ‘whole-community’ effort. The project has regenerated a derelict town centre site, providing economic and social benefits for the wider area. The Board and Trustees have a clear vision and purpose and show exemplary operational leadership.

The volunteers are recognised for the immense energy and impact they have had in their place.   

Denise Buchan (Fraserburgh)

Denise Buchan’s leadership of the Fraserburgh Royal British Legion Pipe Band has made a lasting impact on the local community and the world of bagpiping. Leading the band for 20 years and now serving as Pipe Sergeant and Secretary, Denise has been instrumental in shaping the lives of many aspiring pipers and ensuring the band’s continued success.

Denise’s commitment to teaching the bagpipes has empowered countless students, from beginners to advanced players. Her patient, caring approach has created a supportive environment where students not only develop technical skills but also grow in confidence and well-being. Many of Denise’s pupils have gone on to play in prestigious top-grade pipe bands worldwide, further elevating Fraserburgh’s reputation in the piping community.

Denise’s dedication to Fraserburgh extends beyond the pipe band. She has played a key role in local events such as the Royal British Legion Fraserburgh Remembrance Service, Fraserburgh RNLI events, and Cancer Research Peterhead Relay for Life. 

Denise Buchan’s contributions to both Fraserburgh and the global piping community have been immeasurable. 

Inspiring Aberdeenshire Lifetime Achievement award

Ewen Cameron (Lumphanan)

Ewen Cameron has over many years carried out exceptional work in Aberdeenshire for nature and biodiversity. He has worked tirelessly in a voluntary capacity, alongside his career in conservation, to protect and enhance Aberdeenshire’s stunning natural environment.

After retiring from his 40 year career at NatureScot, he increased his commitment to helping local communities work together to help provide a better future for generations to come. He has led and been involved in supporting a diverse range of initiatives over many decades and continues to be an inspiration to individuals and local community groups. 

Many of the projects that the Northeast Scotland Biodiversity Partnership has been involved in would not have happened without Ewen. He has been an inspiration for so many people over many the years. 

George and Ruth Skinner (Old Rayne)

George and Ruth Skinner have been inspiring in the life of their nominee and others.

Both, now octogenarians, come from traditional Aberdeenshire farming backgrounds. They have the most inspiring hands-on work ethic and dedication to the northeast rural economy and way of life which continues on through their lifetime of work, the business they and their family have built together and interests that they inspire others with. 

George is a familiar face at Thainstone Mart, in his trademark boilersuit and flat cap, and was instrumental in establishing and running the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative, which takes the countryside to school classrooms all over the northeast of Scotland. 

During their lifetime together, George and Ruth diversified their farm business to include a riding school which has allowed people of all ages and abilities to enjoy being amongst horses, and their farm has proudly facilitated riding for the disabled and, Ruth's passion, carriage driving for the disabled.

George and Ruth are the humblest of couples, valuing the reward and satisfaction of hard work, a steady pace of life and the beautiful surrounding of their beloved Aberdeenshire – it is said George can give an accurate weather forecast just by looking across at Bennachie. Yet they are also forward thinking. They have devoted a great deal of time in helping others and the community value them personally and professionally.

Ron Reid (Inverurie)

Ron recently retired from organising the monthly Farmers' Market in Inverurie which he has done single-handedly for 21 years, marking the end of an era.

He is known for his commitment and passion for the community. His efforts have not only promoted local produce but also fostered a sense of community and pride in Aberdeenshire. 

His dedication and leadership were further demonstrated through his active involvement as a member and chair of the Inverurie Community Council. Ron's impact on the local area and its people makes him an excellent nominee for this prestigious award.