Helping It Happen Awards 2020 : Winners Announced
Scottish Land and Estates organise the Helping it Happen Awards to recognise those estates, farms, rural businesses and individuals who make rural Scotland thrive. Despite all that has happened in 2020 the awards have gone ahead, shining a spotlight on incredible projects. They received a global audience when premiered online today. GLM are delighted to be the headline sponsor for these awards in an unusual and challenging year, particularly for rural Scotland.
A massive ‘well done’ to the team at Scottish Land and Estates for pulling together such an inspiring virtual event showcasing the finalists and sponsors in such a brilliant way. If you missed it live then you can still watch the event here.
Ian McKee, our MD and a Helping it Happen Award Judge, said: “Telling stories and celebrating all that is going on across rural Scotland is key to motivating and inspiring others to support, visit and encourage the activity. It is a privilege to support these awards and celebrate the extensive innovation, conservation and resilience shown particularly in the last few months through the Covid-19 pandemic. Huge congratulations to all of the award winners – I have been inspired through judging these awards and look forward to, when allowed, visiting as many of the businesses reflected in both winners and finalists at this years awards. A special congratulations to Hudson Hirsel who received the judges special award – their innovation in rural housing should be looked at closely by the housing and construction sector to inspire the next generation of housebuilders in rural Scotland.”
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “I want to offer my congratulations to all. The judges had a really tough time deciding on the winners for each category because they have all made a big difference to their local communities and wider Scotland.”
“With everything that has happened in 2020, the Helping It Happen Awards quite rightly celebrate those individuals, rural businesses and organisations going the extra mile to make a positive contribution to society whether that’s by supporting education initiatives, producing high quality food and drink or helping Scotland meet its environmental goals. This contribution is crucial to ensure that Scotland has a successful recovery from the Covid pandemic.”
The Winners of the Helping It Happen Awards 2020 are:
Conservation Award, sponsored by Anderson Strathearn
• The Borders Birdbox Project for their innovative and effective conservation concept which has clearly made a difference already.
Enhancing Our Environment Award, sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage
• East Lothian Countryside Volunteers for a brilliant initiative and a great example of landowners and volunteers working together to enhance the environment.
Iver Salvesen Green Business Award
• MiAlgae for an innovative and creative business which crucially aims to reduce the human impact on our planet.
Rural Business Award, sponsored by Velux
• Fasque Forestry for their innovative, holistic and diversified approach which has resulted in job creation and further ambition for growth.
Innovation in Farming Award, sponsored by Douglas Home & Co
• Peelham Farm for constantly innovating, with a strong commitment to sustainable self-reliance and biodiversity.
Education Award, sponsored by Bell Ingram
• Duffus Estate for facilitating an outdoor learning initiative to enable opportunities for sustainable education within a rural context.
Judges Special Award
- Hudson Hirsel for their outstanding work in house building in rural Scotland.
Community Champion of the Year Awards, sponsored by GLM
Central
• Conner Pratt for his selfless dedication to his community and keeping spirits up during lockdown.
Highland
• Margaret Payne for raising money for local and national causes.
North East
• Dunecht Estates for simple, effective community engagement, helping local people.
South East
• Forth Resource Management for having a real impact and making themselves accessible to a wide range of people, while promoting recycling.
South West
• The Ayrshire Food Hub for their dedicated and passionate work delivering meals to those in need.
To find out more about the Helping It Happen Awards, the finalists and register interest for 2021, head over to the Scottish Land & Estates website here.
Congratulations to all the winners announced today – GLM are delighted to support your innovation and look forward to hearing more stories of those helping rural Scotland thrive in due course.