A Kirriemuir-based music group has been nominated for a national award which recognises Britain’s best volunteers.
DD8 Music has been shortlisted for the Britain Has Spirit award which carries a cash prize of £25,000.
The group organises Bonfest and were behind the campaign to bring a statue of AC/DC front man Bon Scott to the town.
Graham Galloway, the music development worker for DD8, said it was a “huge honour” to be recognised by the competition.
He said: “it’s a big boost for our amazing team of volunteers who work year round to support DD8 Music.
“We’ve just finished our busiest weekend in Kirriemuir yet, with the 10th anniversary celebrations of Bonfest and the final unveiling of our statue of Bon Scott.
“To be nominated for such a prestigious award so soon after will keep our team on cloud nine for the foreseeable future.”
DD8 Music is one of five groups on the competition’s Scottish shortlist.
The other nominees are Team Jak Foundation, Tarland Development Group, The Official Let’s Save Govanhill Campaign and Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes.
The Scottish winner will be determined by a public vote through the website www.britainhasspirit.com before facing off against nine other regional winners in a final hosted by TV personality Gabby Logan.
Graham said the group wouldn’t be short of ideas on how to spend the £25,000 prize.
He said: “We already carry out four free music sessions a week for young people in Kirriemuir and Forfar.
“The money would allow us to look at offering more specialist tuition and upgrade our studio equipment and would also help with plans we have to grow the Playlist for Life project we’ve been working on.
“This is a project aimed at providing people living with dementia dedicated MP3 players and playlists that are full of songs that have special meaning to them.
“We ran a pilot of this last year with Beech Hill House dementia unit in Forfar, and it was a huge success.
“If we win the prize we can move on with our plans to increase the reach of the project.”
The national winners will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony later in this year. As well as a prize for best group, there is also an award for best individual.
Gabby Logan said: “The public have a very important job to do. Scotland has some incredible volunteer groups and standout individuals, all of whom are worthy winners.
“However there can only be one winner per category per region – so it’s incredibly important the public vote for their favourite and get them one step further to the national prize.”
