Inverness road sweeper wins national award for kindness during lockdown
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An Inverness council worker has won the national Stagecoach Community Hero award.
Martin MacDougall (55) won the award by public vote after he spent his holiday money to provide colouring books for Highland children during lockdown.
Mr MacDougall was firstly named the Highland winner before going forward to a national competition.
He has won £500 in high street vouchers.
Mr MacDougall said he was "overwhelmed, shocked and emotional – but also very proud and happy" after being named the overall winner of the Stagecoach Community Hero award.
He said: "My own two nephews were really struggling for things to do at the start of the lockdown, so I bought books for them and things started to take off from there.
"Lots of people helped me deliver the books, including three-year-old Maisie Torley from Tain.
"I am not sure what I am going to be up to next. Maybe when all this is over I will get a holiday, but the covid situation needs to be safe again.
"I want to thank everyone who nominated me first and the hundreds of people who voted for me.
"Right now I am overwhelmed, shocked and emotional. I am very proud and happy."
David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach Highlands said: “Our followers across the nation have been voting for a national Community Hero between the impressive local community heroes.
"We are delighted to announce that our Highlands Community Hero, Martin MacDougall, has been crowned the Stagecoach National Community Hero. We’re thrilled that Martin is getting the recognition he deserves for his care and help for the community in, and surrounding, Inverness.”
