Animal rescue team short-listed for charity award
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A RESCUE of stranded whales in the North has helped put the British Divers Marine Life Rescue in the running for a national charity award.
The Scottish Charity Awards, organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, celebrate the vital work of charities, community groups and individuals dedicated to making Scotland a better place to live.
The BDMLR reached the final in the charity-of-the-year category.
In July last year when 65 long-finned pilot whales swam into the Kyle of Durness, near Cape Wrath, BDMLR volunteers from Caithness responded immediately but by the time they arrived 40 whales were stranded.
They managed to redirect 20 back into open water and, over the course of a gruelling 24-hour operation, 24 more whales were re-floated. Others had to be humanely put to sleep.
BDMLR is known as one of the leading global authorities on cetacean rescue.
Five other charities have also been nominated for the award. They include the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic; Shelter Scotland; Alzheimer Scotland; CLAN Cancer Support and Impact Arts.
SCVO chief executive Martin Sime said: “The excellent quality of entries this year made for a difficult short-listing process but it demonstrates the dedication of people working and volunteering in voluntary organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland.
“These people relentlessly go above and beyond the call of duty and make a huge difference to our communities. The Scottish Charity Awards recognise the huge effort that takes.”
