Two bus drivers and a schoolgirl who tackled a knife-wielding thug and the mother of a young driver who died in a fatal crash were among 11 unsung heroes celebrated at an awards ceremony in Fife last night.
The Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline was the venue for the Fife Constabulary Unsung Heroes Awards, which recognised the selfless commitment and dedication of many Fifers to help keep their fellow citizens safe.
The event was preceded by a civic reception hosted by Fife Provost Jim Leishman.
After a stirring performance by the Fife Constabulary Pipe Band, Chief Constable Andrew Barker, who retires next week, said: “As policing in Scotland is about to undergo the biggest change in generations, tonight is an opportunity to recognise the commitment and dedication of many Fifers in helping their local police force to keep their fellow citizens safe.
“Fife Constabulary has been dedicated to taking policing closer to the community, and our community engagement programme has been internationally-recognised and provides a model for others to copy.
“The first principle of the new Police Scotland is to make communities safer and reduce harm, and for that to succeed, the continued work of everybody here tonight, and all of the other unsung heroes across the kingdom, means we will depend on your continued co-operation and assistance.”
Among those receiving awards last night was Sonia Ewens of Kirkcaldy whose 19-year-old son Jamie was killed in summer 2011 after his car hit a bridge.
Despite blame for the accident being attributed to her son, due to speed, no seatbelt and no licence etc, Sonia took the brave decision last May to help Fife Constabulary produce a DVD which will be part of Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign, and has been launched across various social networking sites and conventional media.
She has shown significant courage and determination in an effort to get a message across to young drivers.
Sonia said: “The message I am trying to put across to young ones is the consequences of their actions and the decisions that they make in their life could possibly prevent another family from going through what we are going through.
“Jamie lost his life at an extremely young age, he had his whole life ahead of him but he is not here anymore, he is not the one that has to deal with this. Please just think about what you are doing on the roads and be safe, don’t make any drastic actions.”
Meanwhile, two bus drivers who tackled a knife-wielding thug were also among those honoured last night.
Robin Goodfellow, Michael Shanks and schoolgirl Keli Dalyrymple of Dunfermline were praised for their forward thinking and bravery.
On May 22, Mr Goodfellow was the driver on a bus collecting people near to Dunfermline High School.
He observed a youth heading towards the bus carrying a knife.
Concerned as to what might happened he signalled to a nearby fellow bus driver, Mr Shanks, to attend.
The youth had headed to the upper level and confronted a fellow youth with the knife.
Moments later and on return to the lower level of the bus Goodfellow and Shanks confronted the youth and moved in to restrain him.
The police were contacted and found Goodfellow and Shanks still restraining the youth on their arrival.
The youth was arrested, knife recovered and he was reported accordingly.
Schoolgirl Keli Dalrymple was also present and involved in the same incident.