WATCH: Moray and Banffshire Heroes are crowned with inspirational Findochty ambulance worker winning top accolade
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An inspirational Findochty ambulance technician was named Hero of Heroes at the Moray and Banffshire Heroes ceremony on Thursday evening.
Elaine Mair won the top accolade at the event which recognised people who go above and beyond for the benefit of their communities.
The Buckie-based ambulance technician, who has also been part of the town’s RNLI crew for eight years, said that using whatever life throws at her is her secret to happiness and success.
Since childhood, Elaine has dreamed of working for the ambulance service and four years ago, that came to fruition.
She was nominated for the Emergency Services/Armed Forces Hero of the Year Award for her dedication, hard work, care and compassion and went on to win the Hero of Heroes accolade.
She said of her win: “I am gobsmacked, elated, delighted and very honoured and humbled to have won.
“There was so much well deserving people in the other categories.
“I have always volunteered for different things including the Red Cross, HM Coastguard and most recently eight years with the Buckie Lifeboat.
“It has been four years I have been with the ambulance service in Buckie.
“I have my job and my voluntary position where I both work with amazing crews.
“My family will be over the moon for me. I genuinely can’t believe I won both awards.
“The work and voluntary work that I do is something I enjoy as I have always wanted to help folk.
“I want to do it because it is helping my community in times of need.
“You are with people at their worst times and you are there to help them as best you can.
“If you can make one person’s life better in a day that is a great thing.
“There were so many amazing award winners so to actually be chosen as the Hero of Heroes is beyond belief.
“They have all put so much work into their communities as well.”
Her nomination said: “Elaine has been through so much and doesn’t let any of it affect her bubbly, happy personality or desire to help others. She’s one in a million!”
Elaine added: “I have three children, and when my youngest daughter was nine months old, I became a single mum.
“I was determined to do the best for us. I wanted my bairns to know that you can be a good mum and still go out and do a job that you love.
“Being an ambulance technician back then wasn’t practical, so I built up experience working in a playgroup, a nursery, and a vets practice along with volunteering with The Red Cross and HM Coastguard.
“I also volunteer as crew on the Buckie Lifeboat and have done for eight years.
“Now that my bairns are grown up with a total of eight bairns of their own, it’s finally my turn to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service doing the job I have always wanted to do.”
The glittering Moray and Banffshire Heroes ceremony was held in the Banff Springs Hotel on Thursday evening where hundreds of guests heard the inspiring stories.
The Moray and Banffshire Heroes were:
Brave Child - Ellie McHardy
Primary Pupil - Delilah Clark
Primary Teacher - Sarah Will
Secondary Pupil - Abbie Howe
Secondary Teacher - June Buchan and Emma Maclauchlan
Emergency Services - Elaine Mair
Carer - Fran Hutton
Charitable Organisation - Moray School Bank
Fundraiser - Lucy Lintott smith
Community Champion - Rhona Patterson
Green Hero - Judith Binney
Green Community Venture - Girlguiding Moray
Healthcare - Theatre Staff at Dr Gray's
Volunteer - Janet McDonald and Elaine Penny
School - Findochty Primary School
Hero of Heroes - Elaine Mair
There will be more on the ceremony and the winners over the coming days.
