Awards night one to remember for Buckie heroes!
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THE Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards was to prove an evening of glory for the Buckie area, netting no fewer than five trophies.
A total of 12 award categories were up for grabs when the finalists gathered at Brodie Countryfare to discover their fate last Thursday evening and learn who would be leaving with the coveted silverware.
The Buckie area had seven representatives vying for the top prize in five categories and scored wins in each.
In the Emergency Services category (sponsored by Motive Offshore) Buckie RNLI won the day in a two-horse race against fellow finalists HM Coastguards. It is the second time the volunteer lifesavers have claimed the honour, having scooped the award in 2019, going on to take the Hero of Heroes title that evening, too.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Anne Scott and coxswain Davie Grant collected their award to rapturous applause.
Anne switched her footwear before she climbed up to the stage, slipping on the bright yellow wellies that she is better used to wearing in helping to assist the life-saving group of 24 lifeboat and shore crew that operate from the coastal town.
Taking to the mic, Anne said: "I have a mix of emotions.
"I'm absolutely delighted to win this award but regretting the challenge of wearing my wellies on stage if we won now!
"It's great to see people in the area appreciate what we do.
"It can present a lot of challenges so it is great to know we are here in people's hearts and minds."
Speaking afterwards, Anne, who has been a part of the organisation for 21 years, said: "We are just delighted. Thank-you to everybody who voted.
"It's just been so humbling to be a part of it all."
Davie, who has 29 years of service, admitted that he would prefer to be out on the water in a force 10 gale than be the centre of attention at an awards ceremony.
That being said, however, he was extremely grateful to everyone who voted for Buckie RNLI.
He added: "It's not just for the crews, it's for the families who support the crews as well.
"It gives us some kind of thanks for all of the three-o-clock in the morning calls.
"It's the public's vote so it means a lot. It's good to see that the public appreciate us providing the service."
Two out of the four finalists in the Secondary Teacher of the Year award (sponsored by Associated Seafoods Ltd) hailed from the local area – Jacquie McLeish, who lives in Portknockie and is a business teacher at Keith Grammar School, and Jenna Ogg, who heads up BCHS's business studies and computing department and is also the career ready co-ordinator at the school.
Jenna was to claim the honour on the evening.
One of her nominations said Jenna had a “fantastic rapport" with the students and "always seemed to go the extra mile" to ensure they felt supported.
Jenna said of her award: "It's amazing. I never expected it and I feel so privileged to accept this award.
"It's fantastic supporting the kids and building relationships with them. Helping them to go on to a positive destination is really rewarding.
"I do the Career Ready programme where I support kids going out to local employers to do work experience and build skills."
She paid tribute to all secondary school teachers when lifting the award.
"I feel all secondary teachers do an amazing job. It is a very challenging career, every day is different and there are lots of things that test you, but when you see pupils develop it is so rewarding.
"I am really chuffed and honoured to be here," she added.
Jenna, originally from Aberlour but now living in Urquhart, has been teaching for seven years. She taught at Milne's High School in Fochabers and Lossiemouth High before moving to Buckie.
Findochty woman Debbie Main was a joint nominee with Paul Hughes in the Volunteer of the Year section (sponsored by Robertson) for their work with the Elgin Parkrun, and the pair were to emerge victorious.
Debbie is a great example of someone who was drawn to running by the Parkrun and has now become a key member of the volunteer team which ensures it takes place each week. She ran her first ever marathon on Sunday in London.
She said: "I feel really humbled tonight because there are so many worthy winners.
"When you see the people who won the overall award and you just go 'wow, there are so many special people here tonight'.
"It is nice for us to be recognised for the work we do when we wouldn't maybe recognise it ourselves."
Ashleigh Hepburn Mair, who runs Buckie Baby Bank from her Toocute children's wear boutique in town, was crowned the queen of the Fundraiser of the Year section (sponsored by Northern Asbestos).
Her fundraising journey began after she came face-to-face with how the cost-of-living crisis was hitting local families.
This experience inspired her to create a baby hub at her shop, so families could get the pre-loved baby essentials they urgently need.
Upon taking the stage to accept her trophy from host Nicky Marr, Ashleigh told the crowd how grateful she was.
"Thank you very much," she said.
"I kind of thought, in my head, that I would know what to say.
"But being stood up here I haven't got a clue.
"When I learned I was nominated for this award I was delighted, but I am even more delighted now I have won it.
"So thank you very much to everybody who voted, well done to everybody, and good luck."
Ashleigh's baby bank continues to distribute a range of clothing and other essentials, including prams and high chairs from her High Street base.
She said he had been overwhelmed by the public's support for her work, and their passion in handing in donations and spreading the word.
Speaking after she received her award, she said it was a great moment and praised the other nominees.
"I am delighted, totally delighted, just over the moon," she said.
"Honestly, I didn't expect to win at all.
"I kind of wish I'd prepared something to say, but either way I am absolutely over the moon. So honoured and so delighted.
"There were so many good nominees up there today and to be there amongst all of them makes me feel brilliant."
Flying the flag for the local area in Community Champion of the Year contest (sponsored by Walker's Shortbread) were award-winning group Buckie's Roots, who were delighted to add to their already burgeoning trophy cabinet.
Proudly collecting the trophy for the group were chairwoman Meg Jamieson and treasurer Gifford Leslie.
Meg said: "We want to thank everybody ever so much for voting for us. We're all incredibly proud.
"We are just two representatives, but our group is everybody who goes out and does all the work."
Speaking later, Meg said the award has come as the group of six trustees and 20 members begin to enter their busiest period of the year.
"We are going to be planting up the summer beds and adding 12 planters to Buckie Square and maintaining the Speyside Way," she explained.
"We originally started up after the town was getting some negative comments on Facebook. Three of us got together and thought that we had to do something to bring in tourists and brighten up the place for the community."
"We thought we would just do one planting and that would be it, but we have now been going for five years," added Gifford.
As for the award, Gifford said it was great recognition for the committed team of volunteers.
"We are just absolutely chuffed," he said. "For once in our lives we are speechless!"
The overall Hero of Heroes award (sponsored by AM Macpherson) – chosen from the individual category winners – went to Dyke couple Alan and Anne Doughty for their work over the last 30 years fostering children. They also took the Carer of the Year trophy.
