Buckie groups get royal seal of approval with top voluntary awards
Two local groups have been awarded the highest honour for voluntary service in the UK.
Buckie’s Roots and Portessie-based Footprints have both been unveiled as winners of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the equivalent to an MBE in the royal honours list.
These groups form part of an elite band of just 281 organisations across Britain to receive the award this year.
Founded in 2018, Buckie’s Roots’ core aim is re-engage with the wider community and build community spirit through improving and developing open spaces by planting flowers. The volunteer team have gone from strength to strength over the years by undertaking different opportunities such as planting and tending communal flower beds and planters, being involved in crafting projects, joining in with the litter picking, supporting Buckie’s community lunches and working with other groups and schools.
They began life as a small group of volunteers with the sole aim of tidying up Cluny Square, which at that time was looking very dowdy and run down.
They were nominated for the award by Steve Thornton and Christine Allen.
News of the award left Buckie’s Roots chairwoman Meg Jamieson stunned.
She said: “We're just absolutely delighted.
“Buckie’s Roots has only been going six years, so we're relatively young in this process. It's an honour to get this recognition so early.
“We got the email about three weeks ago and it was a total shock.
“This means so much to the group. When we started back in 2018 we never dreamed that we’d get a top award like this. Back then we went to the community council with our plans and then got £250 from the Beatrice wind farm fund which allowed us to buy a few plants for the square.”
The King’s award process for Buckie Roots and the other hopefuls actually began last summer, involving a rigorous selection and interview process with two of the deputy Lord Lieutenants of Banffshire.
Next up for Buckie’s Roots is their Christmas carol service on Thursday, December 12 getting under way at 6.30pm in Cluny Square. Keep up to date with details about this event at Buckie’s Roots’ Facebook page.
Footprints, which is based in Portessie Public Hall, was founded by couple Paul and Barbara Zealand some 12 years ago. It is a weekly social club, meeting every Thursday, tailored to adults with a range of disabilities, both physical and learning. Catering for up to 18 clients with an eight-strong team of volunteers, mornings at the club involve an array of activities such as arts and crafts, bingo and baking, while the afternoon is devoted games and exercises, including the likes of boccia and walking football.
These pursuits serve a dual purpose, nurturing life skills while providing a platform for fun and camaraderie.
The group very much embrace the spirit of adventure with regular outings. Disability biking and bowling outings have become highlights, offering participants an opportunity to explore the world outside their daily routine.
The award was something of a bolt from the blue for the Footprints team, albeit a very pleasant one.
Mrs Zealand said: “The nomination came out of the blue for us all.
“To be honest, at first I thought the email telling us we’d been given the King’s Award was a hoax .
“It’s a hugely pleasant surprise, I never thought we’d get an award like this. I still can’t believe it!
“The volunteers at Footprints are the people who deserve this. They’re there 50 weeks a year which is a lot of commitment from a small group. They are a truly remarkable team.”
Even Covid did not stop the group’s commitment to their clients, even though meetings in person were banned under the pandemic regulations in force at the time. Mrs Zealand organised weekly online sessions during which a number of games, such as bingo, were played to help combat the social isolation of lockdown.
The Zealands’ two sons were to serve as the inspiration for Footprints.
Mrs Zealand explained: “Our two sons have disabilities and 12 years ago there was nowhere for them to go during the day.
“It was difficult for them and people in a similar situation to socialise and make friends, so we formed Footprints.
“It’s proved popular over the years - we started with just four people and now have 18.”
Buckie’s Roots and Footprints will each receive the award crystal and certificate from Andrew Simpson, Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire later this winter. In addition, two volunteers from each group will attend the garden party at Holyrood House, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
Congratulating the groups, Mr Simpson said: “Congratulations to everyone involved with Buckie’s Roots and Footprints.
“I am delighted with their very well-deserved success in winning the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Whether by contributing to improving our environment or supporting individuals and families the work of these groups adds so much to the lives of us all.
“That three groups from Banffshire have achieved this award is recognition of the value that so many volunteers add to our communities and they all make such a positive impact on the lives of many. We are very grateful to them and all who volunteer.”
