BARRHEAD’S unsung heroes will get the chance to take centre stage later this month at a new awards ceremony.

The first ever All About Barrhead Awards will be held at the Dalmeny Park Hotel on Friday, May 31.

And the Barrhead News is getting right behind the event by sponsoring the main prize.

Five finalists are in the running for the prestigious Barrhead Star award – Rita Connelly and Janette Hughes, both of Auchenback Active; Jim McGauley, of Barrhead Foodbank; Paul McIlvenny, of the Include Me 2 Club; and Annemarie Strain, of community drama group InCahootz.

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Rita works tirelessly for her local community, regardless of her own health issues, including an ongoing cancer battle.

She is involved in various elements of Auchenback Active, where she has become a popular member of the team.

Her nomination for the Barrhead Star award states: “Rita works to give back to the community every day.

“All the kids who start at the toddler groups just love Rita, calling her ‘Auntie Rita.’ She is loved by everyone within the organisation and those she meets outwith it too.

“Rita has worked to tackle the issue of poverty in Barrhead. Additionally, in 2010, Auchenback Active received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which would not have been possible without her efforts.”

Janette first become involved with Auchenback Active in 2006 as she was keen to make a difference in the lives of local women, including single mums.

Her award nomination states: “This included creating a newsletter, raising awareness of International Women’s Day and activities to tackle social isolation.

“Janette’s confidence grew as she became a board member of Auchenback Active in 2011.

“One of the key roles she has played involved reviewing and updating the organisation’s policies, including employment and health and safety.

“Janette has also played a key role in fundraising for Auchenback Active, including organising table-top sales, a community safety day and Christmas fairs.

“She always has a smile on her face and no task is too big. She is an inspirational person and the community of Barrhead would benefit from more people like her.”

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After retiring from his supervisor’s position at the Grangemouth oil refinery at the age of 67, Jim has spent the last few years embracing various community initiatives in Barrhead.

Much of his spare time is spent helping out at the town’s foodbank.

His award nomination states: “Jim works hard each week, organising the stock and distributing the produce to the patrons.

“He is passionate about his work with the foodbank and does this in a supportive and non-judgemental way.

“Jim has also been instrumental in establishing a Tuesday Club for senior citizens at The Kelburn bar, where the focus is on providing a safe place for socialising as an alternative to being stuck in the house.

“He is kind-spirited and thinks nothing of helping others in his free time.”

Paul founded the Include Me 2 Club with his wife Ashley in 2010 to provide activities for adults with learning disabilities.

In the years that followed, the club started a junior group for kids aged up to 12 with additional support needs, as well as three groups for adults with learning disabilities in Barrhead, Neilston and the East End of Glasgow.

His award nomination states: “The success of the Include Me 2 Club would not have been possible without the driving force that is Paul McIlvenny.

“He has been working in the care industry for many years and has both founded and run the Include Me 2 Club whilst raising a young family.

“Paul has dedicated his life to the organisation since it began and his work has had such a huge impact on many people across East Renfrewshire and Glasgow by breaking the barriers of isolation and seclusion.

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“He would say that the success of the Include Me 2 Club is a team effort – and, of course, this is true – but it cannot be stressed enough that the organisation would not be where it is without Paul at the helm."

Annmarie was raised in Barrhead and, after a successful career in film and television, returned to the town to raise her family.

Recently, she has been instrumental in setting up InCahootz, which gives her the chance to share her skills with the children of Barrhead.

Annmarie, who grew up in Dunterlie, also works with Parent Network Scotland to deliver free courses to help parents in that area of town.

Her nomination states: “Annmarie has worked so hard all her life to achieve her own dreams and is now working to help others achieve theirs.

“Through InCahootz, she provides free classes to children, giving them the opportunity to express themselves, regardless of their background.

“She devotes countless hours to her groups, ensuring that attendees get as much as possible from being there.

“The community is at the heart of all of Annmarie’s work as she wants to give back in any way possible to Barrhead – the town that helped make her own dreams a reality.”

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