Scarr-Hall Awards celebrate local volunteers' efforts

This year’s Scarr-Hall Awards, which recognise local volunteers for their exceptional service to the Harris community, were presented at a celebration tea at Harris Hotel.

The winners, Donnie ‘Rodel’ MacDonald, Annie MacDonald (Scalpay) and Tania MacLeod and Jocelyn Corderoy, from Tarbert in Bloom, were praised for their ongoing efforts, from campaigning for essential housing to catering for community events and working to brighten up a village.

Mr Ian Scarr-Hall of Amhuinnsuidhe, hosted the event and donated and presented the prizes. He explained that the scheme had been established in memory of his mother and her own commitment to volunteering in her community.

The Scarr-Hall Awards are presented each spring, following nominations

from members of the community, which are collated by Harris Volun-tary Service.

“We are so grateful to the Scarr-Hall family for this initiative,” said Sandra Fraser, HVS Manager. “Thank you to all the members of the community who sent in their nominations – evidence of the amazing range of community work happening here.”

Excerpts from the nominations:

Donnie MacDonald: “He is such an asset to the wider community, volunteering for so many groups that it isn’t possible to list them all. He is always helpful and has an open ear for the wider community. As soon as Donnie starts something, things get done.”

Annie MacDonald: “Annie was the community go-to Chief Cook and organiser, doing curry takeaways in the community centre to raise funds. She once cooked for up to 300 people who were doing the Western Isles Challenge. Annie did things quietly and had lots of helpers, but she was the organiser.”

Tania MacLeod and Jocelyn Corderoy: “All their hard work and volunteering has really contributed to a much nicer village of Tarbert this year.”

The nominees have asked De tha Dol to acknowledge that these achievements have only been possible with the help and support of other volunteers from the community.