MUSSELBURGH Horticultural Society, Musselburgh Athletic Football Club and The Hollies – it is clear to see why Karl Cleghorn was named Community Champion of the Year.

The final award at the first-ever East Lothian Courier Community Champion Awards went to a worthy winner.

Karl has dedicated himself to a number of different groups, helping them become sustainable by sourcing funding and providing essential advice.

Speaking to the Courier just minutes after receiving the accolade, he said: “I’m really pleased because I will take this back and show people what support and help they have given me, what it ends up with and it will show ‘you can do this too’.

“I’m an East Lothian boy: I come from Wallyford, live in Musselburgh. I went away with the Navy for a long time, I still run marathons for various charities and things like that, and it is great to be here amongst friends.

“It really is a good thing.Times are tough at the moment and it is good to get a positive thing and make it work for us.”

Karl cut short a family holiday, leaving wife Amanda with the family motorhome, to attend the evening – even though he had no prior knowledge he was a winner.

A journey from Swansea to Bristol was followed by a flight back north of the border to Edinburgh.

He said: “I had to be in Haddington for 6.30pm.

“I got up the road, prepared my stuff, had the quickest shower, brushed my teeth and got to Haddington for 6.45pm.

“I met the most wonderful people and was blown away with how good it was, how professional and slick it was.”

Alongside Karl on the Community Champion of the Year shortlist was Beryl Stevenson, who was involved with the steering group for the construction of Wallyford’s community centre and even walked 50 kilometres over several weeks to raise funds for the village’s Christmas lights.

Fellow finalist Daena Robertson has worked at the Bridges Project, in Musselburgh, after initially seeking support from the group. She became a mentor to support young people with complex challenges, helping them build confidence and wellbeing.

But it was Mr Cleghorn who won the award, his work with various groups while battling throat cancer and ongoing treatments impressing the five-strong judging panel.

He said it was “a blessing that I’m still here” and added: “I don’t want to die – I’ve got so much to do.

“There are so many more things out there.”

Courier editor Robbie Scott said: “In a night truly inspirational and uplifting, Karl is a more than worthy Community Champion of the Year.”