Lieutenancy represented at Westminster concert

A group of charity volunteers from Dunbartonshire have attended the Princess of Wales's Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey - an annual event held to bring people and communities together to recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others during the year.

Eighty-two year-old Elizabeth Martin has been fundraising for various charities in the community for over 30 years.

Fiona Allan has volunteered tirelessly at the Old Kilpatrick Food bank since the pandemic and runs the Christmas Grotto for over 300 children. Fiona is also a valued member of OKFP Committee and gives up hours of her time every week to help vulnerable families.

Janine Taylor is a single mum of three, who started out as a volunteer at the Foodbank in 2021 and she is now the manager of the community cafe where she provides over 1,000 hot meals every month to people in need.

Mary Ann Smith is president of the local Chamber of Commerce and is actively involved in volunteering and fundraising for several charities and community groups throughout west Dunbartonshire.

They were hosted at the event by Dunbartonshire Deputy Lieutenant Maureen Cummings and her husband Gordon, the founders of OKFP.

The charity has provided essential food to over 35,000 people since 2020 and was awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024 - the highest award a local voluntary group can receive and is equivalent to an MBE.