NORTH Ayrshire Athletics Club have become the first Ayrshire group to win a special award from the Queen.

Her majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Ayrshire, John Duncan, was the chief guest at a civic reception in Saltcoats Town Hall 

The leader of the council, Deputy Provost and other representatives were also on hand to congratulate the recently crowned Scottish Athletics Impact club of the year. 

Local MP Patricia Gibson and MSP Kenny Gibson also heaped praise onto the club volunteers.

The Crystal Award and personally signed certificate from the Queen was handed over to the club’s chairman Blair Pettigrew who accepted in on behalf of the 23 volunteers present from the club.

Blair spoke about the club outlining how far it had come over the past few years but emphasised the club was still young and the most exciting times still lay ahead.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour to be awarded to any voluntary groups. 

The club are only the second athletics club in the country to be awarded such an honour and the first organisation in Ayrshire to receive this royal recognition.

Councillor Willie Gibson, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “To receive such a prestigious award is testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of all the volunteers involved in making such a positive and powerful contribution to the lives of so many. 

“We are committed to providing leisure and sporting opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyles across the region. 

“We try to put the structure and facilities in place but ultimately the volunteers are the ones who truly make a difference. We are delighted for everyone associated with North Ayrshire Athletics Club – the award is well deserved and we were delighted to hold a civic reception.”