That the Parliament congratulates Avril Bruce, from Banff, on winning the Local Hero Courage Award at Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2026; recognises her six years of dedicated work supporting, empowering and enabling vulnerable people affected by substance use across Banff and Aberdeenshire; commends her courage in drawing on her own recovery journey to become a trusted source of encouragement, helping others find hope and a way forward; acknowledges her founding of Talking Point Recovery and Wellbeing Group in Banff, which provides a welcoming, non-judgemental space for support both in person and online; recognises her voluntary contribution to establishing other support groups, including Cubs Collective, Blooming Woman and a men’s group, extending support to people across Aberdeenshire; applauds her work organising overdose awareness events, festive recovery support and mental health first aid training, alongside service improvement initiatives and advocacy for individuals experiencing difficulties; notes the importance of her work in helping to reduce stigma, strengthen recovery networks and ensure that people affected by substance use feel supported and understood; congratulates the other finalists Karen Stewart from Aboyne and Katie Innes from Fetterangus, and thanks Hosie Electrical for sponsoring the Local Hero Courage Award and supporting the celebration of courage, resilience and community spirit in Aberdeenshire.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Jackie Baillie, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Holly Bruce, Alexander Burnett, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Paul Sweeney