A Findhorn resident has been officially recognised as a Coronation Champion for the incredible voluntary work she does to benefit residents and visitors to Findhorn.
Cathy Low was among only 50 people in Scotland chosen from 5000 UK nominations to be Coronation Champions. She is the only person in Moray to receive the award.
To celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) has launched the Coronation Champions Awards to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country at this momentous point in history.
Truly inspirational
Deputy Lieutenant of Moray, Sue Finnegan, said: “Cathy is a truly inspirational volunteer who gives generously of her time every single day to enhance the environment and the lives of others in Findhorn. She always goes the extra mile to make a difference and I felt very strongly that she should be nominated for this prestigious award.
“Cathy does so much voluntary work that it is difficult to know where to begin to explain the difference that she makes. She is Secretary/Director of The Findhorn Village Conservation Company and a Director of Findhorn Village Centre.
“During lockdown she marshalled a large group of volunteers to help villagers who were shielding and set up a WhatsApp group for communication. She sourced funding and organised weekly lunches during lockdown for vulnerable, elderly residents and organised the delivery of special afternoon tea boxes to celebrate VE Day.
“In her role with the conservation company she has led on the resurfacing of Dunes Road and the beach car parks, the Community Asset Transfer and subsequent refurbishment of the toilet blocks and the development of the West Beach Motorhome Stopover, which has been awarded five stars by CAMpRA.
“Not to rest on her laurels, Cathy is currently sourcing funding and setting up a Just Giving page to refurbish the eight sets of beach steps on the back shore. In addition to volunteering herself, Cathy is also very skilled at bringing together the various groups and organisations in the village to pool time and resources and collectively make a bigger difference.
Platinum Jubilee
“An example of this was the hugely successful weekend of activities to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. It is very fitting that Cathy has received this award whilst she is coordinating a similar weekend of activities to celebrate the Coronation!”
Sue added that the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro, was also delighted to hear the news.
Cathy said: “I am truly honoured to receive this very special award and have been overwhelmed by the number of messages of congratulations that I have received following the announcement. I am very proud to be a Coronation Champion and thank Deputy Lieutenant, Sue Finnegan, for nominating me for the award.”
Cathy will receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a signed certificate from Their Majesties in addition to an invitation to a Coronation event.
