Stirling SNP MP Alyn Smith has nominated three local charities for the 2021 Scottish Charity Awards.
Forth Valley Welcome, Stirling Community Food, and Start Up Stirling have all been nominated for the Charity of the Year award.
Forth Valley Welcome provides sanctuary for refugees across the Forth Valley.
Commenting on the nomination from Alyn Smith, Forth Valley Welcome said: “We’re really surprised and delighted that Alyn Smith has nominated us for this award.”
“We’re a volunteer-led charity that supports refugees who have been resettled in Stirling and Clackmannanshire and the recognition of the work of our volunteers is much appreciated.”
Stirling Community Food utilises excess commercial food supply to meet community demand.
Commenting on the nomination for the Scottish Charity awards they said: “We are delighted.”
“We’re immensely proud of what our incredible team of volunteers has achieved tackling food waste and food poverty through challenging times, and always with a smile.
“It’s a great honour to have their hard work and dedication recognised by Alyn Smith like this.”
Stirling Community Food is a partnership between Transition Stirling and the Kitchen at 44.
Start Up Stirling have also been nominated because for their continued work helping some of Stirling’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting on the nomination Start Up Stirling said: “We are delighted to be nominated for the SCVO Charity of the Year award by our MP, Alyn Smith.”
“It is thanks to our wonderful supporters and partners across the community, our team of dedicated volunteers, and our incredible staff, that we have been able to adapt and continue our foodbank services throughout the pandemic.
“Thanks to them, we have been able to reach everyone who has been referred to us for emergency food support.
“We could not run our services without them so it is fantastic to see their support and hard work recognised in this nomination.”
Alyn Smith has nominated these three charities for the Charity of the Year Award due to their outstanding efforts and achievements each of these charities have shown over the past year in Stirling.
Smith said: “Stirling’s third-sector stepped up a gear during the pandemic, and performed crucial work to keep our communities safe and supported.”
“There’s a plethora of charities and organisations across Stirling who’ve gone the extra mile to lend a helping hand this year, and I’d like to thank their volunteers and activists for the work they do to improve lives in Stirling.
“I’ve nominated these three charities in particular, because I feel they’ve met the challenge of the pandemic head-on and championed values of which we can all be proud.
“Forth Valley Welcome demonstrates refugees are very much welcome here, and we’re honoured when they call Stirling home; Stirling Community Food are tackling the twin challenges of climate change and food poverty, building on Stirling’s green credentials; and Start Up Stirling continues to help some of our most vulnerable citizens get back on their feet, when they need it the most.
“Covid-19 has been hugely significant for our local economy and collective wellbeing. But Stirling’s third-sector has helped us pull through, and their efforts will remain crucial to our recovery.”
Feature image credit: University of Stirling Blog
