THE amazing contributions of young people and adults to the communities of the Wee County were celebrated last week at an awards ceremony.

Showing the levels of commitment from young people locally, there were as many as 17 nominations for the Clackmannanshire Young Citizen of the Year 2019 award.

And the Clackmannanshire Citizen of the Year 2019 accolade, for adults and sponsored by the Lord Lieutenant's Trust, saw five nominees attend the ceremony at Kilncraigs last Tuesday, March 10.

Each were recognised with certificates as the council chamber, transformed for the occasion, heard about the tireless work of those who are looking to benefit others in whatever way they can.

Provost Tina Murphy, who presented the award for young people in what was the 17th such ceremony, explained it was not easy to pick the winner – more on the achievements of local pupils elsewhere in today's Advertiser.

Presenting the awards for the adults was Lt Col (Rtd) Johnny Stewart, Lord-Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire, who spoke highly of the worthy candidates and was also delighted at the high volume of nominations from among local young people.

Certificates were given out to all, but the trophy went to local volunteer David Russell.

Incredibly, David has given 510 days of his time to help improve biodiversity and access locally over the past decade both in Clackmannanshire and across the wider central Scotland area.

His contributions to environmental conservation and in improving access for all included work at Redwell Primary School and at the Wimpy Park in Alloa.

He beat off stiff competition from defibrillator champion Stephen Jelfs, an advocate for care experienced people in Shumela Ahmed, library volunteer Louise Cannon as well as Craig Miller, who is a familiar name in Sauchie and further afield for his work in setting up choirs and for securing an amazing £350,000 of funding for projects locally.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: "Clackmannanshire has so many voluntary groups and individuals and it is important to recognise them.

"I was inspired to hear first-hand what the five finalists have done in the Wee County over the years.

"It was very hard to choose between such a strong group of contenders but I am delighted and congratulate David Russell as the winner of the 2019 Award.

"I would also like to congratulate Susie Lambert on becoming the Young Citizen of the Year."