MSP CONGRATULATES WINNER OF HEALTH WALK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Colin Beattie MSP has congratulated Shona Black from Musselburgh on winning Health Walk Volunteer of the Year Award.

Shona received the reward alongside her guide dog Matt at the Paths for All Volunteer Awards held in the Scottish Parliament on 28 September 2022.

Shona leads the RNIB East Lothian Health Walk at Musselburgh Harbour fortnightly on a Thursday morning to help build confidence and bring together the blind and partially-sighted community in East Lothian. Shona is partially-sighted herself and is accompanied on the walks by her guide dog Matt.

Colin Beattie MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh commented:

“It was a pleasure attending the ceremony in the Scottish Parliament and see Shona win the Health Walk Volunteer of the Year Award.

“The work that Shona does is hugely important for the blind and partially-sighted community in my constituency and I am pleased her hard work has been recognised.

“I would personally like to thank Shona for her work and I look forward to joining her and the walking group for stroll along the promenade soon.”

Award winner Shona commented:

“I am delighted to have won this award. The real reason for starting the walking group was to help build confidence and combat isolation in the blind and partially-sighted community after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At first these walks were a way of getting back into the community after periods of lockdown but have now continued with 10 core participants.

“Not only does the walking group help the mental and physical health of members but also provides the opportunity for them to socialise together.

“Going forward, I hope to expand the group and start another walking group in Haddington to cover more of East Lothian.”

NOTES:
Photo L-R: Colin Beattie MSP, Shona Black and Guide Dog Matt.
If you would like more information, contact Shona Black at shona.black@rnib.org.uk
​