Auchinleck Community Council (ACC) have selected another worthy recipient of their Citizen of the Year award for 2023.
Janice Allan was chosen ahead of some other worthy candidates due to her tireless work in the community.
This is Auchinleck Community Council’s third selection of Citizen of the Year, with Agnes McConnel selected for her dedication to Ayrshire Hospice in 2019-20 and Henry Dumigan receiving the award in 2021-22 recognition of his work with Auchinleck Talbot Football Club (ATFC).
Having grown up in Auchinleck, Janice moved to New Cumnock after marrying Ricky and having three kids, but she moved back to her native land around 11 years ago.
Janice been heavily involved with the Crochet Club based at The Boswell Centre in Auchinleck.
In that time she has been vital in supporting and organising work towards some great causes, including supporting baby units by supplying premature babies with hats, blankets etc.; crocheting poppies for Poppy Scotland, with over £500 being raised to date; providing hats and scarfs for them homeless; supporting children's cancer charities; monthly visits to Glennie House where resident are encouraged to get involved with simple crochet projects and the annual tombola with all proceeds donated within the community and other charities.
This year alone nearly £900 was raised from Christmas Fair and tombola.
All of this meant that Janice was a more than perfect pick to be the citizen of the year.
Modesty is also one of Janice's strong characteristics, as she was keen to point out there a lot of good people in the community.
Janice told the Chronicle: "When I get involved in this kind of stuff, I don't do it for any kind of praise or attention, I do it because it helps people in the community.
"When I got told I had won the award I thought there was bound to be someone more deserving than me.
"I do feel proud about getting this award and I'm thankful for everyone that helps out.
"It's good for the group as well because hopefully getting some publicity around the group will encourage more people and join in, and then we can hopefully help more people".
Janice and the team already have plans for what they want to do this year, with different projects due to run throughout the year to support people in the community.
Janice added: "We've got a few projects that we're hoping to get going throughout the year.
"We're always looking for people to join the group, even if that's just for them to mainly come in and have a blether."
The crochet group runs every Wednesday in the Boswell centre in Auchinleck between 6-8pm. The first week is free and there is no need to book in advance.
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