Meet Scotland's top third sector organisations, employees, campaigners and volunteers
Scotland's 2016 Scottish Charity Awards finalists have been announced.
A total of 34 voluntary organisations and individuals from the length and breadth of the country have been shortlisted across seven categories.
Taking place this year on Thursday 9 June, the awards ceremony will be unveiled is being held in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms.
The Scottish Charity Awards, now in its tenth year, is organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to celebrate the life-changing work of charities, community groups and individuals dedicated to making Scotland a better place to live.
As well as returning categories – Charity of the Year, Cracking Campaign, Perfect Partnership, Celebrating Communities, Charity Champion and Digital Dynamo, a new award for an Exceptional Employee has been introduced for 2016.
The award aims to honour some of the incredible work carried out by paid staff in Scottish voluntary organisations.
Shortlisted for the Exceptional Employee award are Chris Martin of Callander Youth Project Trust, Steven Sweeney of Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Claire Gillies of Penicuik YMCA-YWCA and Dorothy Buchanan of Citizens Advice Scotland.
The winners in each category will be decided by a panel of judges but as always a final award will be decided by public vote.
Voting is already open online for The People’s Choice award on the awards’ website, where you can also find a full list of the nominees.
The candidates vying to be crowned Charity of the Year are Glasgow Bike Station, Saheliya, Scottish Refugee Council and The Prince’s Trust Scotland.
Anticipating another successful event, Martin Sime, chief executive, SCVO, said: "Year after year Scottish charities and voluntary organisations prove themselves to be beacons for creativity, tenacity and innovation.
“This year’s Scottish Charity Awards finalists demonstrate these qualities in abundance and are shining examples of how people can work together to make Scotland a better and fairer place.”
Vote for your favourite charity or individual to win the People’s Choice Award votes before 5pm on Friday 13 May.
