Clan Sutherland award will shine a spotlight on county's young people
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An award which recognises the contribution young people across Sutherland make to their families, schools and communities is looking for nominations.
The Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland is looking for young people in the county who have shown themselves to be positive citizens.
It has teamed up with the Northern Times to launch the 2023 Clan Sutherland Young Citizen of the Year Award and is now welcoming nominations on behalf of any young person aged 12 to 14 who lives within the traditional county of Sutherland.
After relaunching the award last year, two joint winners were chosen when the selection panel decided unanimously that both finalists were equally deserving of the prize.
Lacey Tunstall of Lochinver and Lia Matheson of Dornoch received their certificate and prize from Dr Lady Elizabeth Costin, representing the 25th Earl and Chief of Clan Sutherland, Alistair Sutherland, her father.
Lacey was nominated after winning a Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Scotland competition that raised £3000 for the Assynt Centre, a community hub where she also volunteers, which runs drop-in sessions, coffee mornings and events for local people in Lochinver and the surrounding area, as well as running a community transport service.
Lia was nominated by her teacher at Dornoch Academy, Anne Morrison, after being a very supportive friend to one of her peers at a difficult time.
During the 2022 award presentation in Golspie in November, Dr Lady Costin congratulated the winners on behalf of her father and said: “When I read both your stories, what struck me was just the real kindness that you’ve shown in your communities and that’s really heart-warming.”
This year the winner is expected to receive their prize – a certificate and £300, half of which must be donated to a local charity of the recipient's choice – at a ceremony at Dunrobin Castle during the International Clan Gathering on June 8.
Nominations are being sought from each of the five secondary schools serving the population across the county, Dornoch Academy, Farr, Golspie and Kinlochbervie High Schools and Ullapool High School.
To see the entry guidelines and to nominate a young person who has, in your opinion, made a difference to the well-being, happiness and confidence of others or to the enhancement of the environment of their community, click on the Young Citizen Award tab at www.clansutherland.org.uk
A spokesman for the clan society said it and the clan chief look forward to learning about more young, unsung local heroes across Sutherland who deserve to be recognised as part of this award process.
The nomination deadline for the Clan Sutherland Young Citizen Award is March 31, 2023.
