Moray and Banffshires Heroes: Dedicated Girlguiding duo Elaine Penny and Janet McDonald recognised for decades of service
TWO of the area’s most dedicated Girlguiding volunteers were recognised at the Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards.
Elaine Penny, a leader at 1st New Elgin Guides and Elgin Rangers, and Janet McDonald, a Rainbow, Brownie and Guide leader in Buckie, were named winners of the Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Robertson Group.
The pair have amassed more than 70 years in Girlguiding, with the vast majority of those in Moray.
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Janet has been a member of Girlguiding for more than 40 years, 30 of those in Moray, while Elaine has been a member of Girlguiding for 35 years.
After receiving her award at the Banff Springs Hotel, Elaine said: “I am astounded to win, to be honest!
“It's just what we do and it is our whole lives. We have both been doing it since we were Guides and Rangers ourselves, it's not like we have left, we just kept going.
“I did so many things with Guides and Rangers that I wouldn't have done if I hadn't been a member that I felt I wanted to give the girls the same opportunities to do stuff they wouldn't normally be able to do.”
Janet added: “We were a winner getting nominated and getting on the shortlist. You don't expect to get honoured for what you do.
“You do it because you love it - it's all for the girls and to give them the opportunities you had when you were younger. You want them to achieve their potential.”
