Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 13 December 2024 10:53
East Renfrewshire Council's Provost Award is an annual opportunity to honour a longstanding volunteer for their outstanding service in the community, which makes a difference to the lives of many others, and crown them as Citizen of the Year.
Stephen Byars has been recognised as Citizen of the Year 2024 for his lifesaving work as the dedicated coordinator of the Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group, where his voluntary work has spanned across the past decade.
As an integral part of the group since its inception in 2014, Stephen maintains and manages many of the area’s public access defibrillators, going above and beyond to ensure that these crucial resources are readily available in the community, as well as selflessly giving most of his weekends to be available to respond to emergency calls across East Renfrewshire.
With around 80% of out of hospital cardiac arrests happening at home, Stephen is also committed to educating as many people in the local community as possible, with the potentially life-saving skills to start CPR prior to an ambulance arriving, motivating individuals and volunteers to book onto training and supporting them throughout.
The Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group is a self-funded volunteer group which runs in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service, throughout East Renfrewshire and the surrounding areas.
Volunteers attend a wide range of calls including cardiac arrests, chest pain, heart problems, breathing difficulties, choking, seizures and strokes, service public access defibrillators in the area, and offer CPR training for the community, whilst raising all-important funds to ensure the group continues to remain operational.
Provost Mary Montague said: “I am delighted to award Stephen Byars with the Provost Award and name him as Citizen of the Year 2024. Stephen has given a tremendous service to East Renfrewshire over the last 10 years, and I am pleased we are able to commend him for his exemplary efforts.
“Thanks to Stephen’s commitment, proactive leadership and tireless advocacy, he ensures that vital public access defibrillators are readily available across East Renfrewshire, helps many people gain essential CPR skills, and gives most of his own spare time to attend to medical emergencies. Stephen has significantly enhanced emergency response capabilities across the community, which fosters a safer environment for residents, and ultimately saves lives.
“A record number of nominations were received for Citizen of the Year 2024, and it’s clear, that now more than ever, we have so many incredible volunteers who support people across East Renfrewshire. The judging panel agreed that this accolade should be awarded to Stephen this year in recognition of his efforts to improving the lives of others.
“Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, if we’ve not chosen your nominee then I’d encourage you to put them forward again next year.”
Stephen Byars, who has lived in Neilston for 25 years, added: “I was delighted to win this award with the help of my group at Neilston & Uplawmoor First Responders. It would have been a hard decision for the board as there were so many worthy volunteers. Volunteering for any organisation is not a selfless act because the volunteer will get so much back from meeting and helping others in one way or another. So I would recommend anyone that’s able to volunteer and give a bit back to the community. It’s great for the soul.”
To find out more about volunteering as a Community First Responder in a group in your area, visit: scottishambulance.com
More information about the Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group can be found at: facebook.com/naufirstresponders
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MOREScotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MOREToday, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MOREAfter becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MOREA generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORECaledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure invited veterans to a Health for Heroes festive breakfast at Barrhead Foundry to celebrate the success of the scheme in 2024.
READ MORETicketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MOREThis family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MOREThe Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MOREAn innovative programme which aims to harness the magic of horses to engage young people back into education is being offered to East Renfrewshire young people for the first time.
READ MOREJames Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MOREA volunteer with unwavering dedication to the wellbeing, health and safety of residents across East Renfrewshire has been awarded the Provost Award for his exceptional contributions.
READ MOREThe battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MOREFounder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MOREA bold new vision has been launched which sets out the shared hopes and aspirations for East Renfrewshire between now and 2040.
READ MOREA unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MOREMarine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council hosted its annual employee celebration event – the We Are East Ren Awards – to recognise hard-working employees going above and beyond for residents.
READ MOREA beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MOREJasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MOREA family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MOREScottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire libraries celebrated Book Week Scotland in style, welcoming children and adult writers along for a series of fun, interactive events.
READ MORECelebrate the season with festive family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life this December.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MOREA popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORE