Dundee’s ”guardian angel”, roofing contractor Charlie Kean, has been named 2012 Citizen of the Year.
The founder of Kean’s Children’s Fund won the award for his work helping thousands of children and their families across Tayside.
The kind-hearted dad-of-two has spent more than a decade supporting ill or disadvantaged youngsters in the region and has raised more than £250,000.
Charlie set up the charity in 1999 and his fundraising efforts have helped refurbish kids’ cancer treatment facilities at Ninewells.
He has organised dozens of special events for youngsters, including an annual Christmas ice show and concert trips to see the latest bands.
The businessman also steps in as Dundee’s answer to Santa Claus every year by organising a Christmas toy appeal and delivering the gifts to youngsters in the area.
Charlie, who now lives in Broughty Ferry with his wife Sharon (45) and his two children Charlie (15) and Laura (19), said he was honoured to receive the award.
”I’m actually stunned,” he said. ”It is absolutely marvellous to be given this award but to me the real award is seeing the happiness on these kids’ faces. That is what matters to me.
”It is about trying to help children and help take their minds off what they are going through on the ward, even for just a little while.”