A charity champion who knitted more than 800 poppies last year alone has followed in her mother’s footsteps by picking up an award recognising the best of her community.
Macduff woman, Claire Nicholson, has been awarded the town’s Clan Society Quaich in honour of her dedication to volunteering – 13 years after her mum won it.
Banff and Macduff Community Council presented the accolade to Miss Nicholson, who has been a leader with the 2nd Macduff Rainbows and involved with Girl Guiding for more than 14 years.
As coordinator of the the town’s poppy appeal display, she has been the backbone of the project.
Miss Nicholson put every effort into ensuring the cascade of 13,000 knitted emblems was completed in time – providing more than 800 herself.
Initially the project began with poppies for her Rainbow unit to wear to the Remembrance service, but it grew from there and now Miss Nicholson plans to display the cascade it annually to raise funds for Poppy Scotland.
She also helps coordinate the annual Blythswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal in the town, and ensures the Rainbows make Christmas and Easter cards for Support Our Soldier morale boxes.
Miss Nicholson was also involved with Deveron Amateur Swimming Club until recently.
After being presented the quaich, she said: “I’m amazed people feel I am deserving of this and it’s an absolute honour to receive the quaich.
“I am just one of those people who gets stuck into things and can’t seem to say no.
“If I set my mind to something, I give it my all and if I am honest I am happy just to hide away in the background.
“I don’t do these things for recognition but I am grateful that people appreciate what I do”.
On top of her volunteering over the years, Miss Nicholson has helped at fundraising activities for local cancer charities as a tribute to her brother Andy Nicholson.
He died in 2007 after a year-long battle with the illness throughout which he demonstrated tremendous courage, characteristic humour and dignity.
During his illness he expressed a wish to help others suffering from cancer and his family decided to pursue his wish after his death.
The year before his death, the quaich had been in the family as their mother Marjory Nicholson had been given it in 2006 having served the community in Macduff Library for almost 39 years.
The family matriarch last night said she was delighted that two generations will have their names on the quaich.
She said “Claire is such a worthy winner. Her selfless dedication to everything that she does deserves recognition.”
