Scottish community heroes honoured with benches for covid contributions

Scottish residents Debra Kirkness and Steven McCluskey have been honoured with benches to celebrate the vital work they’ve done in their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Part of a community project by The National Lottery and Jay Blades, (from BBC’s The Repair Shop) Debra and Steven’s bespoke benches are two of thirteen such benches being installed across the UK to honour individuals who have “gone above and beyond for bringing their communities together”.

Debra’s bench, which will be placed at the Aberdeen Arts Centre, recognises her work with Music 4 U, a charity that provides inclusive performing arts classes to participants from all backgrounds, including those with support needs.

The Benches were designed by BBC Repair Shop's Jay Blades.

Steven McCluskey’s bench, meanwhile, will be placed at Glasgow Green Park. Steven has been recognised for his work with Bikes for Refugees Scotland, which refurbishes and hands out second hand bikes across Scotland for asylum seekers and refugees in need.

During the pandemic, Debra ran online concerts, interviews and quizzes for Music 4 U attendees, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum and have an exceptional need for stability and structure.

Steven, meanwhile, secured National Lottery funding to hand out food and essentials to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers throughout the lockdown. Bikes 4 Refugees also set up a borrowing scheme for key workers, making sure they had access to bikes where needed to get to work.