A VOLUNTEER has been recognised for his work in active travel initiatives in Kirkcaldy including helping to launch the area’s first cycling festival, community bike shop and cycle map.
George McDermid has been recognised as the winner of Active Travel Volunteer of the Year at Scotland’s national walking charity, Paths for All’s Volunteer Awards 2022.
The 60-year-old is a volunteer with Greener Kirkcaldy and is committed to sharing his skills, enthusiasm and knowledge, to help members of the community become confident and safe cyclists.
Since retiring four years ago, George has played a key role in setting up Greener Kirkcaldy’s active travel initiatives including launching and regularly leading cycle rides, establishing Kirkcaldy’s first cycling festival and opening a community bike shop, Lang Toun Cycles which helps recycle, repair and loan bikes.
On top of this, George has been actively involved in designing a cycle map, allowing others to choose routes to travel using the bike, wheeling or on foot to get around Kirkcaldy in a cleaner, greener way.
George said: “It’s fantastic being able to lead the cycling groups and share my knowledge. Each week you can really see the group develop and their confidence grow.
“My parents met at the local cyclists touring group and I’ve been Chair in various different cycling groups before joining Greener Kirkcaldy. Cycling is in my DNA – it’s always been a part of my life and I love the freedom it enables so I want to share that with others and make cycling accessible for everyone.
“It’s touching to be nominated as I don’t volunteer for the recognition, I do it because I truly want to. Being able to see group members develop and their confidence grow each week while doing something positive for the community is so rewarding.”
George has encouraged many to ditch the car and to either walk or cycle whenever possible for shorter journeys and he is a terrific role model practising what he preaches.
Throughout the pandemic George delivered community meals by bike and also allowed the bike shop to continue by sanitising bikes and meeting customers to help restrict the numbers in the shop.
Greener Kirkcaldy is a community-led charity and development trust which works to combat the climate emergency, tackle fuel poverty, food insecurities and to bring people together to achieve a more sustainable Kirkcaldy. The charity is supported by Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.
The Fife man was commended at Paths for All’s prestigious annual awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament on 28 September.
Hosted by BBC Scotland’s Fiona Stalker and sponsored by Paul MacLennan MSP, the event recognised 11 groups and individuals throughout Scotland who have gone the extra mile to keep their communities active.
Public Health Minister, Maree Todd has championed the awards, she said: “Encouraging and supporting people in Scotland to walk and wheel is a key part of our vision of a country where more people are more active more often.
“A huge number of highly motivated and skilled people are helping us deliver this vision, not least the passionate and dedicated volunteers who do so much to help others overcome challenges to participation.
“They are an inspiration and I am delighted that their contribution is being recognised by Paths for All in these Awards.”
Paul McLennan, sponsoring MSP has commended the work of the volunteers, he said: “My congratulations go the inspiring group of volunteers awarded this evening.
“The range of talent across the country is extremely impressive, and this is reflected in the passion of all the volunteers towards supporting health, wellbeing, social inclusion and the many other benefits of getting out and about.
“Scotland’s outdoors are stunning and varied. My own patch, East Lothian, has stunning coastlines a few miles away from the rolling Lammermuir hills. It’s brilliant to know that across all of Scotland’s diverse outdoor spaces there are people like the volunteers recognised this evening who are working hard to make those spaces accessible and inclusive to all who live here.
“I’d like to commend the work of the volunteers and the team at Paths for All for going above and beyond to promote active travel and leisure. I look forward to seeing what the next year brings!”
Paths for All is a national charity that champions everyday walking for a happier, healthier, greener Scotland.
It manages a range of grant funds that support projects aiming to increase participation in walking, active travel, and to improve community paths for travel and recreation.
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Paths for All, said: “Individuals like George represent exactly why we host the award ceremony every year.
“Giving your time and energy to a cause without financial reward – may seem like a big ask but our volunteers continually go above and beyond in local communities across Scotland and never fail to make it look effortless. Even though we all know an immense amount of work goes on behind the scenes.
“The work carried out by volunteers is directly improving the nation’s physical, mental and social health, reducing social isolation and loneliness and helping people make more environmentally friendly lifestyle choices.
“This year we returned to an in-person event at Holyrood. It has been brilliant socialising with our amazing volunteers and to hear first-hand about the invaluable contributions they have been making.
“Our volunteers’ stories are always inspiring – and this year seems that little more exceptional knowing how many challenges have been faced along the way. Thank you to everyone for their efforts and ongoing dedication.”
Paths for All works with the Scottish Government and 30 partners to support and deliver national policies, such as the National Walking Strategy and other ‘active travel’ initiative to improve the mental, social and physical health of the country.
The charity awards thousands of pounds worth of grants each year to worthwhile projects that improve health, promote walking, encourage active and sustainable travel and improve environments for people to be active in.
To find out more which Health Walks you can join in Fife, visit: www.pathsforall.org.uk/healthwalkfinder
A full list of Volunteer Award winners 2022 can be found on Paths for All’s website: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/
