NOMINATING a group for a Citizen of the Year Award may sound unusual, but few could argue those behind the Sauchie Activ8 project have not earned the recognition.

Over the last nine years, the programme has delivered a wide-range of activities to support healthy lifestyles for all those in the community.

One of the key aims of Sauchie Activ8 has been to provide services for all ages, meaning there is an over 60s keep fit group running alongside under 16s Zumba.

Education is also a major part of the programme with free computer classes and another free course to help unemployed people gain employment skills. And from its Sauchie Hall base, Activ8 also organises the local food bank for the area with a weekly collection each Friday afternoon.

Sandra Gruar, general manager of the group, has been on board since they first opened their doors and has watched the programme go from strength to strength.

And as a former winner of the Citizen of the Year Award in her own right, she says the award for Sauchie Activ8 is ‘due recognition’ for her band of volunteers.

She said: “It is such a privilege for the group to be nominated; we’re all chuffed to bits.

“To have this kind of recognition by those from the community who use the service makes it all the more special. The majority of have been here since we first started nine years ago.

“We have eight volunteers at the moment but we occasionally get some additional help during those big functions like Hogmanany and things like that.

“We’re always looking for new volunteers though and would be delighted if even more people would come out to take part.”