Local Community Star, and Detective Constable, Jodie McFarlane won the 'Community Service Award 2022' at the Scottish Women's Development Forum, which took place at Scottish Police College, Tulliallan.
The SWDF awards recognise the contributions and achievements of staff, officers, special constables and volunteers in Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
The award was presented in recognition of Jodie's outstanding work performance and dedication to the community.
The Community Service Award is awarded to someone who demonstrates a consistent focus on service to others; designs and implements initiatives to meet community needs.
From taking Food Bank deliveries to elderly people in rural areas of the villages, to opening up Annbank Community Association and running the community hall, Jodie is a shining bright star in her community.
Along with mother Isabella, Jodie is also the founding Elf of the amazing Charity "The Night Before Christmas" - a dedicated Charity of volunteers who make up Christmas boxes and bags for children and vulnerable adults across Ayrshire and beyond, it has been going strong since it was established in 2015.
Whilst Jodie was enjoying a well deserved break in Florida, proud Mum Isabella and Dad John were able to be in attendance to collect the award on her behalf.
Jodie, who has been in the Police force for 23 years, and is now a Detective Constable told how she also helped to set up a Facebook group called 'Looking Out For Each Other Annbank and Mossblown' during the Covid-19 pandemic, which helped inform 1.6K members throughout the challenging times and now continues to be used as an ongoing notice board for things happening in the villages.
Speaking with Ayrshire Daily News, award winner Jodie McFarlane said:
"I feel very honoured to have received the award and I am so happy and proud of the charity and the team that I work alongside.
"When we started the campaign 8 years ago I had no idea that it would grow to be such a huge project. We have had many hurdles to get to where we are but I love the feeling of joy that we all get from knowing that we are helping others.
"I have been lucky to have been in a job where kindness is recognised and I am also very lucky to live in a village like Annbank. When the pandemic struck I helped to set up the Facebook group called Looking out for each other Annbank and Mossblown. This Facebook group now has 1.6K members and helped to keep us all informed throughout the pandemic and to this day.
"When we heard the village hall was going to be demolished we also set up the Annbank Community Association and have now taken over the village hall. We have had pop up cafes, concerts, bingos, fun days to name but a few and we continue to help improve our community.
"The charity has grown each year because of the dedication of family and friends who have picked each other up when we are feeling down and jumped for joy when we achieve great things.
"My family, friends and the numerous kind supporters involved in our crazy endeavours over the last 8 years deserve all the thanks and praise for being the very best.
"The charity has become bigger than all of us and we have all gained by being part of the huge adventure that comes from being an elf and spreading Christmas magic."
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