A FORMER athlete who now helps to run fitness sessions throughout Renfrewshire has been honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to community sport, health and wellbeing.
After representing Scotland and Great Britain on the track and in cross country during the 1980s and 1990s, Susan McDonald went on to share her love of running through coaching, helping to develop several programmes.
Most recently, the 54-year-old has been the driving force of Active Communities as its chief executive. The charity, based in Paisley and Johnstone, was set up in 2010 to support physical activity and healthy eating across Renfrewshire and now has more than 1,000 people taking part in fitness sessions weekly.
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Susan, who lives in Paisley, said: “I was really surprised to receive the award. It was completely out of the blue.
“I have loved what I do and I do not see it as a job because I enjoy it so much.
“I want to share this with my family, friends and the whole team at Active Communities who have supported me over the years and enabled me to do what I do.
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“Sport has been a huge part of my life. It has shaped everything I have done and allowed me to meet so many wonderful people. I always wanted to give something back and I am so grateful I can share this passion with others at Active Communities.
“I love seeing people achieve things they thought they could never do.
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“Receiving a BEM is such a great honour and I am so grateful.”
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