Neilston resident named as East Renfrewshire Citizen of the Year 2024

A volunteer with unwavering dedication to the wellbeing, health and safety of residents across East Renfrewshire has been awarded the Provost Award for his exceptional contributions.

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 13 December 2024 10:53

East Renfrewshire Council's Provost Award is an annual opportunity to honour a longstanding volunteer for their outstanding service in the community, which makes a difference to the lives of many others, and crown them as Citizen of the Year.

Stephen Byars has been recognised as Citizen of the Year 2024 for his lifesaving work as the dedicated coordinator of the Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group, where his voluntary work has spanned across the past decade.

As an integral part of the group since its inception in 2014, Stephen maintains and manages many of the area’s public access defibrillators, going above and beyond to ensure that these crucial resources are readily available in the community, as well as selflessly giving most of his weekends to be available to respond to emergency calls across East Renfrewshire.

With around 80% of out of hospital cardiac arrests happening at home, Stephen is also committed to educating as many people in the local community as possible, with the potentially life-saving skills to start CPR prior to an ambulance arriving, motivating individuals and volunteers to book onto training and supporting them throughout.

The Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group is a self-funded volunteer group which runs in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service, throughout East Renfrewshire and the surrounding areas.

Volunteers attend a wide range of calls including cardiac arrests, chest pain, heart problems, breathing difficulties, choking, seizures and strokes, service public access defibrillators in the area, and offer CPR training for the community, whilst raising all-important funds to ensure the group continues to remain operational.

Provost Mary Montague said: “I am delighted to award Stephen Byars with the Provost Award and name him as Citizen of the Year 2024. Stephen has given a tremendous service to East Renfrewshire over the last 10 years, and I am pleased we are able to commend him for his exemplary efforts.

“Thanks to Stephen’s commitment, proactive leadership and tireless advocacy, he ensures that vital public access defibrillators are readily available across East Renfrewshire, helps many people gain essential CPR skills, and gives most of his own spare time to attend to medical emergencies. Stephen has significantly enhanced emergency response capabilities across the community, which fosters a safer environment for residents, and ultimately saves lives.

“A record number of nominations were received for Citizen of the Year 2024, and it’s clear, that now more than ever, we have so many incredible volunteers who support people across East Renfrewshire. The judging panel agreed that this accolade should be awarded to Stephen this year in recognition of his efforts to improving the lives of others.

“Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, if we’ve not chosen your nominee then I’d encourage you to put them forward again next year.”

Stephen Byars, who has lived in Neilston for 25 years, added: “I was delighted to win this award with the help of my group at Neilston & Uplawmoor First Responders. It would have been a hard decision for the board as there were so many worthy volunteers. Volunteering for any organisation is not a selfless act because the volunteer will get so much back from meeting and helping others in one way or another. So I would recommend anyone that’s able to volunteer and give a bit back to the community. It’s great for the soul.”

To find out more about volunteering as a Community First Responder in a group in your area, visit: scottishambulance.com

More information about the Neilston & Uplawmoor Community First Responder Group can be found at: facebook.com/naufirstresponders

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