Moray Cancer Research UK volunteers recognised at national awards ceremony
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TWO hard-working Moray charity shop volunteers have been recognised at a national awards ceremony.
John Mackintosh BEM and Sheena Wallace, who work at the Cancer Research UK shop beside Wetherspoons in Elgin, were centre stage at the Flame of Hope Awards in Edinburgh.
John, who comes from Forres and has been working in the shop for 26 years, was given an Honorary Fellowship Award and Sheena, who has been there for 16, was named Volunteer of the Year.
On his award, John said: “It was a fantastic day and we met a lot of different volunteers - including one woman who has been volunteering for 35 years. I hope I’m still going then!
“It was nice to get the award. I felt part of something and felt that I was getting recognition. It is nice to know that people appreciate what you do.”
The duo travelled to the capital in the middle of March and were treated to afternoon tea as part of the ceremony.
Unsure what part they would play on the day, Sheena - who is originally from Paisley - admitted she was emotional to find out she was front and centre.
She added: “It’s magic, just pure magic.
“You don’t do it for recognition, you do it because you love the job. But I’m dead chuffed with it, because I never expected it.
“To get the two of us in one shop was special. We have got a really good team here. It’s a great place to work.
“We get a lot of old people just coming in for a blether because they are on their own.
“They come in, sit at the till and have a wee chat. It makes their day and you know you have made a difference.
“The day itself was fantastic. I thought I would be last on, and my name was first called. I got so emotional that tears weren’t far from my eyes.”
The shop that the duo work in is appealing for donations - head along to the shop with previously-loved items to find out more.
