LISTEN: Moray mum among 29-Brits to get British Citizen Award

Moray is in the spotlight this morning as a Kinloss woman finds herself among 29-Brits chosen for a British Citizen Award (BCA).

The BCAs were launched in January 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society.

They are awarded twice a year putting ‘everyday’ people - whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked - into the public spotlight.

Janis Thomson, who lives in Upper Hempriggs, is being recognised for playing a lead role in creating a community hall for Kinloss.

The 63-year-old got involved 15-years-ago because the area needed a place to stage activities.

LISTEN: Janis Thomson talks about how she helped transform Kinloss into a community...

She told MFR News: "Previously there was nowhere central in the village for people to meet, and with a lot of people from the military base, it was a difficult area for them to get settled into."

Janis was instrumental in persuading the local church not to build a new church hall, but instead to create a hall that could be used by the whole community.

Following a successful fundraising campaign, which saw Janis raise more than £100,000 for the project, the church itself was converted to create a beautiful meeting space for the village, which now boasts two meeting rooms and a modern audio-visual system.

Janis added: "The impact the hall has had on the local community is absolutely amazing, and it’s brought so many people together.

"The hall is used for such a wide variety of activities, meaning that people no longer have to travel to surrounding towns.

"Since it’s opening, the community has changed immensely, and it has brought a real community spirit to Kinloss."

The hall is now used for a myriad of activities, including Brownies, ballroom dancing, coffee mornings, Zumba, and gardening and photography clubs.

Janis has also hosted overseas students; swims with disabled children every week; given holidays to disadvantaged children for the past 11-years; supported three-boys through their education in Bangladesh; provided help and companionship for an elderly friend in need - and even offered lodgings to a complete stranger from Australia when the woman’s husband was admitted to hospital whilst they were in Scotland on holiday.

Janis set up the Forres Footpaths Trust, becoming their secretary. She helped form the Dava Way Association, which is a 25-mile footpath on a disused railway. She provides baking for local fundraising events and always donates prizes for raffles, and has been fundraising for the Moray Hydrotherapy Pool for a number of years.

For the past three-years she has worked with Piping Forres in staging the European Pipe Band Championships - she was initially a gate supervisor and, the deputy event manager in 2015.

Janis has recently retired as treasurer and fundraiser for the Moray Duke of Edinburgh's award after 25-years, and has just relinquished her role as the secretary and fundraiser for the Kinloss Church Community Hall.

All of her achievements have been accomplished while taking care of her own 91-year-old mother, providing support for her 30-year-old diabetic son since he was diagnosed at 13, and his epileptic wife, who also has a six-year-old daughter.

Janis is one of 29-medallists who will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony on January 26th, at the Palace of Westminster.

Her daughter, Julie Letherby, nominated her mum and told us: "Janis has touched many people’s lives and her continuous excitement to help others is infectious.

"The support she offers, particularly for children from all walks of life, is truly inspirational.

"She has been the best role model any daughter could ever wish for and I could not be prouder."

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