Our Agnes is East Lothian's Local Hero!

Our volunteer fundraiser Agnes Durie is chosen as East Lothian’s Local Hero! Surely there isn’t a person in our community who doesn’t know volunteer Agnes. She has baked her muffins, iced biscuits, incredible Christmas cakes, and created jams, marmalades, cards and flower baskets for our fundraisers for 25 years raising over £250,000. The Local Hero Awards are part of the Scottish Parliament’s 25th Anniversary celebrations; each MSP was asked to nominate one of their constituents who have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities, their local hero.

We are over the moon that Agnes has been chosen. She will be presented with her award, along with other Local Heros from across Scotland, at a special event at Scottish Parliament, Holyrood later this month, with MSP for East Lothian Paul McLennan MSP, who said,

She has raised all this money quietly, never seeking praise or recognition – this is tremendous and I think Agnes is highly worthy of recognition.

The news of Agnes’ award was announced in the East Lothian Courier this week. Agnes, who celebrates 25 years this year as a fundraising volunteer with Muirfield Riding Therapy, was nominated by us for for her efforts to single-handedly raise over £250,000 for Muirfield, helping us continue to offer our life-changing services free of charge for anyone who needs them.

Agnes a much loved and respected local GP in Gullane, now retired, is an all-around creative who has honed her skills as a baker, crafter and gardener, has given many hours to volunteering and uses her own resources to support the community-built and led organisation year on year. She has done this through raising a family, helping her husband run their farm, and throughout her busy life as a GP.

Mr McLennan said:

I am thrilled to announce Agnes as my selection for East Lothian’s Local Hero. We received so many wonderful nominations from across the county and it filled me with such joy to see people nominate folk they felt deserving of recognition.

In the end, Agnes stood out to me for her colossal contribution which has spanned a quarter of a century. I am beyond impressed at her selflessness, community spirit and humility. I am told she has raised all this money quietly, never seeking praise or recognition – to me this is tremendous and I think Agnes is highly worthy of recognition now at this special celebration.

Delighted to have been selected, Agnes added:

The friendship and support from the MRT team is great. I can’t believe it’s been 25years! It is a charity that achieves a lot for many people of different abilities and I feel proud to be part of it. I prefer to work behind the scenes and getting this award is definitely out of my comfort zone but I feel honoured to be chosen as there are many others who deserve it more.

Our Fundraising Manager Deborah McLaughlin said:

Agnes’ dedication to Muirfield Riding Therapy is as legendary in our community as her baking. It is so fitting that she has been chosen to win this award, on the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, after her own incredible 25 years of voluntary service with us, which has raised over £250,000. We can’t remember a single MRT community fundraiser that has gone by without her handmade bakes, cakes, cards, jams and chutneys in attendance. We are so grateful she chooses to continue to lend us her talents to help us keep our therapy free-of-charge so it’s accessible to all who need it. Congratulations and thank you Agnes, from everyone in the Muirfield Riding Therapy community.