The search has begun for East Renfrewshire's Citizen of the Year

Published: 24 October 2022

We're looking for people to come forward and nominate a local person they know who volunteers their time to help their community.

The Provost Award is an annual opportunity to honour a dedicated volunteer for their outstanding service, which makes a difference to their community and the lives of others in East Renfrewshire, and crown them as Citizen of the Year.

Provost Mary Montague said: 'We are very lucky to have countless unsung heroes who go above and beyond to make a positive impact on their community here in East Renfrewshire.

'The Provost Award has been running for many years and has continued to recognise the significant contribution of fantastic people whose volunteering greatly benefits our local area, so I'm really looking forward to being part of the judging panel this year. I have no doubt that we will get a high calibre of nominees.

'If you know of someone who goes the extra mile in East Renfrewshire and deserves to be awarded the Provost Award this year then I would encourage you to submit a nomination on the Council's website.'

Barrhead resident, Oonah McKinnon was named Citizen of the Year in 2021. Oonagh was honoured for her longstanding volunteering efforts to support residents and their families in Barrhead and across the wider local authority area over the past 10 years.

Oonagh was integral to the start-up of the East Renfrewshire Additional Support Needs Parents Action Group, which supports young autistic people and young people with additional support needs and their families, and chairperson of Linking Communities, a volunteer led group which strives to make the most deprived areas of East Renfrewshire better places to live, work, and visit.

The final day for nominations is Sunday 6 November 2022.