Highland Heroes salutes extraordinary people doing extraordinary things
The very best of the region’s unsung heroes have been recognised at a celebration in Inverness.
More than 400 people were at the Drumossie Hotel last night for the annual Highland Heroes event - a special occasion staged by Highland News and Media to recognise those among us who may not otherwise receive such recognition.
• Winners of Highland Heroes announced in Inverness
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It was an emotional evening of laughter, entertainment, fabulous food and drink, and great camaraderie as more than a dozen awards were handed out.
Community champion Peter Corbett, of Inverness, was crowned hero of heroes. Having devoted his life to inspirational work in the South Kessock community in Inverness, the former Highland councillor and footballer, who grew up in Merkinch, works with the Merkinch Partnership to help young people get jobs and has spent more than three decades coaching at the Merkinch Football Academy before hanging up his boots last year.
The stalwart's efforts are amazing and so are those of all the other winners, which included outstanding young people such as teenager Melissa Mathieson, of Inverness, who has faced a real struggle throughout her life dealing with eczema so severe she missed 18-months of school, with 10 weeks of that spent in hospital. And despite being bullied, she has shown great bravery and resilience.
Melissa, and the two other finalists in the brave child category, were also given tickets to this summer's Belladrum music festival courtesy of the host sponsor.
After being nominated by the public, the finalists were selected by a panel of judges prior to a public vote to choose the winners with more than 10,500 people engaged in the process by having a say.
The amazing response was matched by the awesome individuals and organisations making each shortlist, with Mr Corbett telling an upstanding audience when collecting the top prize that what he heard about the efforts of dozens of other finalists would “inspire me even more”.
Murdo MacAngus, commercial and operations development director of headline sponsor global welding contractor Serimax, said the level of nominations was incredible and showed there were heroes across the Highlands.
Event host Nicky Marr started the evening by introducing 17-year-old singing sensation Michael Lewis. More entertainment came from RuMac, who some may know from a recent performance on Britain’s Got Talent - he had people on their feet with his rendition of Yes Sir, I Can Boogie on accordion.
The event ended with a celebratory party atmosphere with The Jersey Notes, a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Keep an eye on our website this weekend for more on the awards.
