JOHANNA Wilkinson has been recognised for the time she dedicates to volunteering.

She is heavily involved in various aspects of the community, working with Sauchie Community Group, Central Advocacy Partners, the community group’s Art Club, SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) and is on the liaison committee and management committee of Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation.

The Sauchie resident promotes the interests of the learning disabled, dementia sufferers and ex-service personnel – inspiring others to help support these groups – along with being involved in raising awareness of doorstep crime, sitting on the Clackmannanshire Community Transport Committee and the Participatory Budgeting Panel.

When she opened a copy of the Advertiser and learned her voluntary work had been noted – and she was on the short-list for Clackmannanshire Citizen of the Year 2014 – she was shocked but pleased.

She said: “I was surprised and felt a little bit good that my little efforts had been recognised. It’s nice to know that your friends and colleagues felt enough of you, or have a high opinion of you, to nominate you or put you forward for nomination.” Johanna, who was born in Edinburgh, arrived in Sauchie from Canada nearly 10 years ago.

She said: “I came to Sauchie in 2006 with my husband, who was in a wheelchair and was suffering from dementia, and the people of Sauchie were absolutely wonderful. They were so helpful, so kind – I just can’t say enough good about them.” Such was the warm welcome that, when her husband started receiving additional care, she decided to give something back and became involved in the community group in 2008. She explained: “I just felt it was my turn to be doing something for the community.”