That the Parliament congratulates Marie Cheyne, from Cairnbulg, on winning the Inspirational Volunteer Award at Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2026; recognises that Marie has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages learn to swim, both through her work with Aberdeenshire Council and her own not-for-profit swim school, which she has run for more than 30 years; acknowledges that over that time, she has encouraged many others to train as swimming teachers and coaches, helping to ensure that swimming skills can continue to be taught across the north east; understands that Marie’s greatest passion has been supporting people with physical disabilities and mental health conditions to enjoy the water and benefit from swimming; notes that Marie also runs competitive galas for disabled swimmers, has secured funding for future events and has supported swimmers to compete at the Special Olympics; congratulates the other finalists, Helen Feeney from Maud and Rose Logan from Turriff, and thanks FES OCS for sponsoring the Inspirational Volunteer Award and helping to celebrate the people who give their time and energy to support others.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Yi-pei Chou Turvey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Paul Sweeney