Scotland regional winners

Mark Wright Project has won the award for Scotland in the Community Group category. Having lost their son in Afghanistan, the founders set up the project to provide therapy and advice for bereaved families.

Mark Wright Project have also been shortlisted for a National award in the same category.

Other winners in Scotland are: 

Mr George Walker, who walked 382 miles (split into a 192 mile walk and a 190 mile walk) to raise money for Forces charities, in the Individual category. 

Newburgh Primary School in the Youth category, who won a best kept War memorial competition and performed a version of "We Will Remember Them" at a Forces charity annual conference which was later produced on a CD.

Robert Wiseman Dairies in the Corporate category. This company has featured the poppy logo on their packaging, which can be seen across the UK as their products are distributed to convenience stores, hospitals, schools and food-service outlets.

The Mark Wright Project

Founded by Bob and Jem Wright, the Mark Wright Project is dedicated to helping ex-Service men and women, and their families overcome the visible, and invisible wounds of war and conflict. Although devastated by the loss of their only son, Corporal Mark Wright, Bob and Jem have sought to achieve something positive out of their tragedy.

Bereaved families are able to seek help for their loss and the Centre also provides therapy and advice to ex-Service men and women. The Centre at Hardengreen Business Park in Dalkeith, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has been designed to be 'homely and welcoming' and has a very informal environment. The Centre also has two small counseling rooms, a well equipped gym and a therapy room for massage.

Bob Wright said, "Being nominated for this award is truly wonderful and we are thrilled to be recognised for the passion, commitment and dedication that has gone into the creation of something new. The Mark Wright Project is helping to provide the support that our ex-Service people and their families truly deserve." 

Alan, who is ex-Royal Navy said: "The Mark Wright Project has had a major positive impact on my day-to-day life, helping me to access on-going treatment and resolving a number issues - I feel so much better, better than I have been in years, thank you."

Mark Wright Project have been shortlisted for a National award in the Community Group category. 

George Walker

At the age of 67 Mr Walker from Aberdeen, raised £1,200 for Erskine Hospital by undertaking a walk of 192 miles across Scotland from Sheil Bridge to Catterline in 11 days. Two years later he undertook another walk of 190 miles along Offa's Dyke (which runs along the length of the English/Welsh border), covering the distance in 10 days and raising £1,000 which was donated to BLESMA.

On winning the award, Mr Walker, now aged 71, said: "I am delighted to have won the award, it is extremely rewarding to help others and at the same time be doing something that I am so passionate about."

Gordon Bruce who walked with George commented, "As an ex Black Watch RSM, George was a great leader with his navigational skills and comradeship. He stood no nonsense when climbing hills in the wind and rain, he just told us to keep our heads down, keep walking - it's all for a good cause. Some days we walked over 25 miles and when I asked George if we were almost there, he would reply - just round the corner - even though we had another five miles to walk. We passed through Ballater, our home village, on our route and we were very proud to be led through the village by some of The Royal British Legion members and the local pipe band. I think he is a very worthy recipient of this award."

Newburgh Primary School

In 2009, Newburgh Primary School won The Royal British Legion Scotland's (RBLS) best kept war memorial competition and performed a version of 'We Will Remember Them' at the RBLS Annual Conference. Every June, the primary school also work alongside members of Newburgh's Royal British Legion Scotland branch in planting flowers for the War Memorial Gardens.

Susan Mitchell, Headteacher at Newburgh Primary School said: "We were delighted to have been nominated for the Friend of the Forces Award and even more so to have won! The school choir has sung at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday for a number of years now and this is now an accepted part of the service. We are proud of the relationship we have with the Royal British Legion Scotland."

Robert Wiseman Dairies

In 2001 Robert Wiseman Dairies first featured the poppy of the Scottish Poppy Appeal on its packaging. It has since gone on to feature poppies on its packs regularly in the last decade, not only demonstrating support for the Armed Forces community but also helping to raise awareness among millions of consumers.

Sandy Wilkie, Sales and Marketing Director at Robert Wiseman Dairies said: "We are honoured to have been selected for this award. We regularly use our labels and cartons to help raise the profile and awareness of various charities and community initiatives around the UK and the 'Poppy Appeal' has been featured many times in the past decade in the lead up to Remembrance Day. The packs are our way of demonstrating our support of the Forces, The Royal British Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland."

Ian McGregor, Chief Executive, Poppyscotland comments: "We congratulate Robert Wiseman Dairies on their well-deserved award. They have been hugely supportive of Poppyscotland for a number of years and we are very grateful to them for giving the poppy such high visibility during what is our most important annual fundraising campaign. Their poppy milk carton initiative was a big help to us in raising awareness and vital funds for veterans in Scotland."

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