Clydebank citizens celebrated at Provost's Civic Awards

The annual awards ceremony, which recognises those who frequently go the extra mile for their communities, was held at Clydebank Town Hall on Friday.

There were five categories up for grabs on the night including arts and culture champion, sports champion, community/voluntary champion (team), community/voluntary champion (individual), and youth champion.

Olivia McCord, 7, Youth Champion (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)Olivia McCord, from Drumry, was crowned youth champion for her inspirational attitude in the face of adversity.

The seven-year-old tragically lost her hands and feet after battling cancer and overcoming sepsis.

However, nothing stopped the incredible youngster from getting back to doing what she loves, and she was soon back on stage with her dance group at Champion Dance and Cheer as well as regularly horse riding.

Nichola Mable, community/voluntary champion (individual) (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)Nichola Mable was named winner in the community/voluntary champion (individual) category for her work at The Recycle Room in Clydebank.

Nichola founded the charity, which is now based on Onslow Road, in an effort to reduce landfill waste but after seeing families in need she quickly developed the community organisation which provides practical items from clothes to electrical goods.

The team at The Recycling Room works hard to ensure that the most vulnerable in the community don’t go without.

Awestruck Academy, arts and culture champion (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)The third win for Clydebank was Awestruck Academy which scooped the arts and culture champion award.

The local arts centre was praised for its efforts to create a community space for young people to experience and enjoy the arts as well as socialise and build confidence.

Awestruck Academy offers a range of different activities including access to musical instruments, free tuition, and art & digital learning sessions.

Martin Perry, sports champion (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)Martin Perry, a professional para table tennis champion from Dumbarton, was crowned sports champion for his major success in the sporting world including securing a bronze medal at the World Championships.

At the end of the evening, Provost Douglas McAllister announced the overall winner who received the Citizen of the Year Award. 

Mentor Scotland, Citizen of the Year (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)This year the prize went to Mentor Scotland, a Dumbarton-based support group tackling the stigma around men’s mental health. The group also took home the prize for community/voluntary champion (team).

All of the winners with Provost Douglas McAllister (Image: West Dunbartonshire Council)Provost Douglas McAllister said: “Congratulations to Mentor Scotland, who are extremely deserving of the title of Citizen of the Year for the support they give to some of our most vulnerable residents.

“Great strides are being made to rid the stigma of mental health, in particular with regards to men, and hearing about the work they do – from talking group to open water swimming, badminton, and football – has shown how dedicated they are to making a difference in West Dunbartonshire.  

“All of our winners and nominees are so deserving of the praise they have been given, from volunteering their own free time to give opportunities in the arts, to putting West Dunbartonshire on the map with their amazing sporting achievements and ensuring our communities are empowered. They are all truly awe-inspiring.

“What makes this inspirational work even more special is that more often than not it is done under the radar without much thanks and so it has been an absolute pleasure to recognise their dedication publicly tonight and show them how grateful we all are.”