Charity's annual awards recognise its achievements and volunteers
Community champions took centre stage recently when Montrose Community Trust (MCT) held its annual awards ceremony.
The event, held in Montrose Playhouse, celebrated the charity’s achievements and the contributions of its supporters over the past 12 months.
It has been a landmark year for MCT, which sees more than 20,000 individual engagements annually through a variety of programmes.
These include the Montrose Connections dementia centre; Breakfast in the Box, a free community breakfast programme; and a range of sports and fitness groups. This year has seen the trust further expand its offering to tackle women’s health and employability.
In the past 12 months, it has welcomed HRH Prince Edward and First Minister John Swinney to Links Park to meet staff, participants and volunteers.
MCT was itself recognised with award nods as it picked up four nominations at the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce Champion Awards.
The charity’s activities are supported by more than 120 unpaid volunteers, as well as partner organisations and donors. The ceremony celebrated these contributors as volunteers Fiona Cruickshank and Mike Knox were awarded.
MCT also recognised Montrose Golf Links, which helped helped to raise the its profile, while the Scottish Football Association (SFA) were awarded for delivering more than £120,000 of funding as well a significant six-figure sum towards the pitch replacement of Links Park Stadium, where MCT delivers its football programmes.
Finally, locals Hilary Christie and Roy Gill were recognised with Lifetime Achievement awards for more than a decade each of contribution to the charity, while Graham Webster received a Special Recognition award for his role as MCT’s ambassador.
The night was a true celebration of the Montrose community, as Montrose Community Council also announced Graeme Newton as Citizen of the Year.
Chris Platt, trust CEO said: “What we’ve achieved wouldn’t be possible without the community that uplifts us. They drive our work, and it was an honour to recognise them at our awards.”