The outstanding achievement of dozens of youngsters has been recognised at The Press & Journal’s Home Delivery Awards.
Now in its second year, the event marked the dedication of hard working delivery agents who always make sure your newspaper arrives on time, come rain or shine.
More than 1,000 votes were cast after you, the readers, were asked to nominate your paper boy or girl – and we have been inundated with heart-warming stories of polite youngsters who always go that extra mile.
Held at The Belmont Film House, which sponsored the event once again, nominees and their family were treated to an exciting ceremony where both the winners and highly commended were revealed.
Coinciding with exam season, some youngsters were unable to make the event due to revision commitments – but in true style are still delivering their round every morning.
From always closing the garden gate to offering extra help to elderly customers, the event clearly demonstrated the wonderful work going on day in, day out.
For Neil Mackland, head of circulation for DC Thomson, the ceremony provided a vital opportunity to say thank you to youngsters, many of whom are now ready to go to university having started a paper round at the age of 13.
“We had 32 finalists and started with more than 1,000 nominations, and I hope everyone who was put forward is delighted with the accolade,” he said.
“This has been a celebration of their achievements and our way of saying a massive thank you.
“When we first held the event last year the feedback was so positive, and we knew we simply had to do it again.
“There have been some lovely stories revealed in the process and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.”
The awards were separated into categories and the ceremony commenced with awards for the Most Dedicated delivery agent.
Scooping the title for city and shire were double act Joanne McDonald and Erin Kindness.
The best friends who deliver in Stuartfield have made quite the impression on their community.
Both 16, they have participated in Duke of Edinburgh and also fund raise for various charity ventures.
Between them, they manage to cover the entire village – and team work is one of their favourite parts of the job.
“We work together to make sure everyone in our area gets a paper.
“We’re best friends and I think we partly love doing our round so much because we get to see each other every single morning,” said Joanne.
Many delivery agents have built up a relationship with their customers, including 14-year-old Tom Henderson.
The youngster from Mosstodloch scooped Most Voted Male for the Highlands and Moray area.
He may not be a veteran in terms of his round, but he loves doing his part for the community.
“It’s great to earn some extra money but that’s not the main reason I do a paper round,” said Tom.
“I love making other people happy and when you do your job right, you can make a real difference.”
The event also saw dedicated supervisors recognised, including Roy McKay.
He has been a supervisor in the Elgin area for 13 years and is in charge of 49 youngsters in total, as well as managing his own round.
“It’s a very rewarding role, even on the stressful days, and I think events like this are so important,” he said.
“The best and most important quality you must possess as a delivery agent is commitment, which these youngsters have by the bucket load.”
Winner of the Above and Beyond Award for Inverness and Moray was Lewis MacDonald, who delivers in the North Kessock Area.
Now 16, he has been delivering papers for three years and loves his job.
“It’s my motivation to get up in the morning, a lot of my friends are still in bed when I’m going out the door,” he said.
“It’s a great way to get exercise and I love all my customers.”
Deputy editor for The Press & Journal David Knight presented some of the awards and personally thanked all nominees for their hard work.
“We are very proud of everyone who was nominated. They do a fantastic job for us and it is only right that they be recognised,” he said.
