Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2025: VOTE NOW for your emergency services hero!
VOTE for your emergency services hero by midnight on Monday, March 24!
READ the shortlist in full.
Graeme Gordon
‘CALM leadership, selflessness and deep commitment’ are three of the qualities that helped an HM Coastguard volunteer reach the shortlist for the emergency services hero of the year.
Graeme Gordon is the station officer at Burghead where he has been a volunteer for more than 40 years. He’s also volunteered for the Red Cross. Graeme has also been shortlisted in the Heroes volunteer of the year category.
His nomination said: “Graeme has played a crucial role in safeguarding Scotland’s often perilous coastline. He’s an invaluable mentor helping shape the next generation of coastguard personnel and ensuring the future of the service.”
Graeme, who has semi-retired from his job at Diageo and now enjoys some part-time work as a joiner, said: “I’m just a down-to-earth guy doing what I think is right. I’ve had friends and family at sea over the years and it feels good to know that if they ever need to be rescued, the whole team is trained to a really high standard.”
Graeme has attended more than 1000 emergency callouts and was one of the first coastguard personnel to qualify in Swift Water Rescue following the floods in Moray in the late 90s.
Iain Sandison
SHOWING resilience in the face of personal adversity and finding new ways to support emergency services has led to Portknockie man Iain Sandison being shortlisted for a Heroes award.
Iain, who has also been shortlisted for the community champion award, has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 40 years.
His nomination said: “Iain’s journey is one of service, sacrifice and strength. His contributions over the years have made a lasting impact on the people and organisations he’s been part of. He spent a month in intensive care following a workplace accident in 2011, but by 2016 found a way to turn his focus back to volunteer work.”
Over the years Iain has been a special constable, instructor for the army cadets, been a team leader for HM Coastguard in Buckie and now volunteers with the Scottish Ambulance Service wildcats, and is a community first aid responder.
Iain said: “It’s really rewarding to be a volunteer. I hear people say how scared they are to do first aid in case they get it wrong so it’s really important that we give communities the knowledge and the confidence to offer what could be life-saving intervention. It’s really nice to be recognised in this way.”
Supporting the award for emergency services hero is Kellockbank
Director at Kellockbank, Marianne Bell, is delighted to support Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2025.
“There are so many unsung local heroes in our communities so it is wonderful to be able to say thank you publicly. Our emergency services always go above and beyond their duty caring for people so the awards are a lovely way to thank them and let them know how much we value them. Please be sure to vote and show the emergency services your appreciation!”
