A Campbeltown woman has received an MBE from the Princess Royal in recognition of her role in improving young people’s lives.
Sharon Kelly received the award in His Majesty King Charles III’s New Years Honours List for her oustanding work as project manager at Royston Youth Action, a charity in the north east of Glasgow.
Sharon described it as “a lovely occasion”, as she received the award from the monarch’s sister Princess Anne at Windsor Castle.
She added: “It was great to have had this wonderful experience and to be rewarded in this way for doing a job that I love.”
Running for more than 34 years, Royston Youth Action works with children, young people and families to enhance and improve their emotional, physical, educational and mental wellbeing.
Sharon, who is also known in Campbeltown by her maiden name McMillan, was born in Paisley but moved to Campbeltown when she was 10.
She attended Castlehill Primary School and Drumlemble Primary School before completing her schooling at Campbeltown Grammar.
She remained in Campbeltown until she moved to Glasgow, when she first got a job at Royston Youth Action 13 years ago.
Sharon was initially employed as a youth worker before being promoted to senior youth worker, then assistant project coordinator and, for the last six years, project manager.
She now leads a team of 14 staff members, who she describes as “a work family”.
Together they deliver more than 25 weekly clubs and projects, all of which are free to attend, as well as providing food, care packages, clothing and sanitary products to the families they support.
They also work in local schools, delivering workshops and sessions on mental health and wellbeing, transition to high school projects, health groups and achieving accredited awards.
Sharon previously told of her ’surprise and shock’ at finding out she was to receive an MBE.
She said: “It is extremely important to me that I am making a positive difference in the lives of others; it’s what drives me in my work and role.
“I feel it is important to help others wherever you can and I get to do that on a daily basis in my work.
“I’ve always said that youth work isn’t a job, I feel it is more of a calling, and I really do believe that it’s the best career for job satisfaction, bringing happiness and for keeping a positive mindset.”
Sharon’s mum Valerie Cameron (Dunn), who still lives in Campbeltown, joined her in Windsor as she received her MBE, describing it as a ’proud day’.
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