Civic-minded citizens from across Tayside and Fife have been recognised for their remarkable work supporting others during the pandemic.
The High Street Heroes Awards highlighted local efforts to curb plastic and support the vulnerable.
The awards are part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages shoppers to shop locally.
In Dundee, the Regional Champion award went to Jillian Elizabeth, owner of Little Green Larder, on Perth Road.
The shop helps customers live a low-waste life through no-plastic shopping.
Jillian said: “I am so proud of the amazing team of staff and volunteers here at The Little Green Larder for working so hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To be recognised as a High Street Hero brought a tear to my eye. I am so grateful for the team we have here and all of the support we have had from our community.
“Giving back to the community is a big part of what we stand for at The Little Green Larder. It is so humbling to be recognised for this.”
In Perth and Kinross, the same award went to a collaboration of businesses and people in Aberfeldy called #FeldyRoo.
All the local cafes, restaurants and pubs which suffered lockdown closures turned their kitchens and staff over to providing 38,807 meals for the most vulnerable people — the over-70s.
It offered two meals and a newspaper every day to an area that eventually stretched west as far as Fearnan and to Ballinluig and Balnagaurd in the east.
At its peak, it delivered to more than 300 residents in Highland Perthshire, also providing much needed social contact.
Gavin Price, managing director of the town’s Fountain Bar – who was named an MBE for his work organising the venture – said: “I am very proud. This is great recognition for a heart-warming project.
“FeldyRoo was amazing. It brought businesses, volunteers and a community together as we have never seen before.”
Carol Malone and team, of Community First UK – operators of the S-Mart Social Supermarket, Forfar — won the Angus award.
The team provided Angus with 35,995 meals in the shape of free grocery packs.
They also partnered with Fareshare and opened a discount store in the Forfar’s High Street providing heavily reduced food.
Carol, the chief executive and co-founder of Community First UK, said: “I feel extremely proud to have been able to support our community through one of the most challenging crises of our lifetime and I’m even more proud of the small team of volunteers that stepped up and helped make it possible.
“This award isn’t just for me, it goes to the whole team.”
In Fife, the Regional Champion award was awarded to Mr Ali’s Convenience Store in Rumblingwell, Dunfermline – described as a lifeline to the elderly and those shielding.
Brothers Rahman and Irfan Ali have given out free bread, contributed to hampers for care workers and donated free hand sanitiser to NHS workers.
Everyone nominated was praised by Scotland’s Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell, for their efforts.
Scotland Loves Local is managed by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), with support from the Scottish Government.
