A dedicated member of the Girl Guides in Paisley has been recognised for her work supporting thousands of young girls.
Milly Mackinnon was awarded the Scottish Chief Commissioner’s Award for her outstanding commitment to Girlguiding Scotland.
Milly, from Paisley, was delighted to be recognised for her efforts during one of the group’s first face-to-face meetings following covid restrictions.
She was presented with the award by Sheila Young, county commissioner, at Lapwing Lodge in the Gleniffer Braes.
The 52-year-old is well known in the guiding community for her volunteer work and runs the 3rd South Rainbows and 33rd Paisley Brownies, and helps at the 9th Paisley Guides as well as managing the more than 100 volunteer leaders in Paisley.
She has been instrumental in running Zoom meetings during the pandemic, organised outdoor meetings when able to and provided activity packs for the girls to work on when at home – all while working as a key worker in her job as the manager of Renfrewshire Foodbank.
The dedicated volunteer, who has been involved in Girl Guides for 20 years, was hailed by dozens of nominations for the award, describing her as wonderful leader who is “nurturing, supportive and loved by all the girls”.
She has used her many years at Guides to help raise the profile of the group and encourage young girls throughout Renfrewshire to join and has orchestrated young members involvement in a number of important local events such as Sma’ Shot Day and festival parades
Milly, who took on the role as divisional commander three years ago, told the Express she was completely taken by surprise by the award.
She said: “It was totally unexpected.
“I was just up there doing a meeting as normal and the chief commissioner appeared.
“And when she turns up you wonder what is going on.
“I had absolutely no idea that it was for me but it was so lovely to be presented it in front of all the girls as they are the reason that I do
it.
“I have been involved with Rainbows, Brownies and Guides for 20 years and it has been wonderful.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for Girl Guiding in Paisley can go to www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/
