Published on:
22
February 2013
Linda McLeod was this week named as Clackmannanshire's 2012 Citizen of the Year during the annual awards ceremony at Alloa Town Hall on Thursday evening.
She won the premier accolade for her hard work and dedication towards raising awareness of lung disease and her work for the Breathe Easy group in Clackmannanshire.
As Chairperson of the group Linda works extremely hard to raise awareness of lung disease and Breathe Easy and she also delivers support to fellow sufferers.
Linda managed to obtain a grant from the lottery which enabled the group to buy a laptop, crockery, cutlery, and hall hire with the cash also paying for transport to the Scottish Parliament where she had a discussion with MP's about the dangers of second hand smoke to people living with a lung disease. Linds is lobbying MSP's and MP's on the same subject.
She is also campaigning for NHS Forth Valley to have Tele-Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation installed in a multi-purpose room at Clackmannanshire Community Health Centre to benefit a great number of local people suffering from lung conditions.
A delighted Linda said: "I never even expected to be in the running for this award, and I'd like to say how honoured and privileged I feel to have been chosen to receive it.
"This award and the great news that Clackmannanshire Community Health Centre has received the equipment that will facilitate Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes has been a wonderful start to the year.
"I will continue to do all I can to promote Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire because I want people to know how the group can help and support them, and also those who look after them.
"Having a lung condition can be life-limiting and can make the sufferer feel very isolated. Speaking to those who are in a similar situation can make a big difference - I know it did to me."
Since July 2012, Linda and the group have raised funds through coffee mornings, charity fashion shows, bingo teas and quiz nights to buy nebuliser and pulse oximeters for four medical practices in the county.
On the same evening Charlie Crawford from Alva became the first ever winner of Clackmannanshire's 2012 Young Citizen of the Year. During an emotionally charged time Charlie was a Young Carer
Charlie continued to be an exceptional student at school throughout this time and attained the very best grades across his subjects. He also took part in the Glasgow Half Marathon in aid of Motor Neurone Disease and raised £4,000. In addition he has completed a coaching certificate to help and encourage younger children into sport and is regarded by everyone who knows him as an outstanding young citizen, and a worthy winner of the award.
The sports awards were also announced on the evening with the major award of The Sports Council Lifetime Contribution to Sport Award going to Margo Johnston, who has coached gymnastics since early 1980's when she was first introduced to the sport as a helper.
Since then Margo has coached all the gymnasts who have come through Alloa Amateur Gymnastic club including, Steve Frew who won a Commonwealth gold medal at the 2002 Manchester games. She reluctantly decided in November last year to hang up her coaching hat after 30 years of dedication to coaching.
The Senior Sports Award went to Meggan Dawson-Farrell (Athletics Wheelchair Racing), who won the Glasgow women's 10k, the great Scottish half marathon and Birmingham marathon. She also set new Scottish records in the 800 metres and 1500 metres.
The Junior Sports Award went to Sarah McMahon (Tae Kwon-Do), who won three gold medals at the British championships and was overall champion. She also won gold for sparring at the World championships.
The Sports Award for Triumph Over Adversity went to Stephen Donaldson (Boccia), who will be competing at the 2013 Special Olympics in Bath, and who won gold at the 2009 Special Olympics in Boccia.
The Enid Barton Coach of the Year was won by John Eccles (Equestrian Vaulting), who coached Joanne and Hannah Eccles to first and second places in the World Cup and coached Rebecca Norval and Andrew McLachlan to the European championship.
Team of the Year went to Rebecca Norval and Andrew McLachlan (Equestrian Vaulting), for making British and European history winning gold at the junior European vaulting championships. They also won the British, Scottish, and Welsh championships.
School Team of the Year was named as Alva Primary 7 Girls Cross Country Team. In the cross country league championships they finished first with individuals finishing in the first three places. Seven of the runners qualified for the Forth Valley championships.
The Young Leader/Volunteer award was presented to Ben King (Alloa Academy), who constantly volunteered to help at sports events. He also spends time at the sports development badminton club each week helping coaches deliver sessions to the children.
The Services to Sport Award went to Shona Malcolm (Athletics). She has officiated in athletics for 32 years, including the 2012 London Olympics, and also coached athletes, both able bodied and with disabilities for over 20 years.
Provost Tina Murphy said: "It was a magical evening with so many wonderful people of all ages nominated by members of the public and who are so deserving of their awards."
The Provost also paid tribute to the parents, coaches and partners, who were always there to lend support and encouragement, and also thanked the many sponsors whose support was invaluable.
Provost Murphy added: "It was great to see so many people recognised for their efforts and also a delight to have, for the first time, a Young Citizen of the Year."