Auchinleck celebrated its first-ever Citizen of the Year at an event on Sunday, March 8.

Mrs Agnes McConnel, 83, was presented with the first award surrounded by friends, family and invited guests who gathered at The Boswell Centre in Auchinleck.

The evening was a roaring success and all agreed that Agnes was a most worthy winner of the award of a Silver Plate.

The awards are now due to take place annually.

Agnes is a founding member of the Ayrshire Hospice and has dedicated her life to raising money for the hospice with which she has been involved for the last 35 years.

As convenor of the Ayrshire Friends of the Hospice for the last 19 years, Agnes and her fellow volunteers have raised an estimated £40,000.

Agnes paid tribute to her friends, family and sponsors for the support she has received over the years.

She said: “I’m delighted and honoured to receive this award.

“I would like to thank my fellow fundraisers and the many local businesses who have always been so generous when I ask for their support.

“In particular I would also like to thank my family, especially my boys who have been great at driving me around when I needed them.”

Evelyn Robertson from the community council said: “This is the first time we have organised a Citizen of the Year award and we are delighted to have received the support of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust which allowed us to provide a great celebratory event which we hope will continue for many years to come.

“Agnes was the unanimous choice and we’d like to thank Mr Colin Chisholm who acted as an independent adjudicator”.

As part of the evening’s activities, local artist Elaine Johnston was commissioned to do a live painting on canvas which was then raffled.

The sum of £500 was donated to the hospice. The audience were so impressed by Elaine’s work that she sold two more of her paintings.

The recipient of the painting, Gregor Armour, intends to display it in his butcher’s shop.

The community council would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to nominate any person for next year’s award by contacting Evelyn at the local library.