AN ARDROSSAN-based charity is set to head to London after reaching the final stages of a top UK award ceremony.

The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety (SCPS) has reached the final of the UK Excellence Awards 2023.

The awards are run annually by the British Quality Foundation (BQF) whose patron is HRH Princess Anne.

And to mark their 30th anniversary, the BQF has introduced a special Patron’s Award category to their UK Excellence Awards.

Theaward is for organisations that have made their mark on society; the people who volunteer in their communities, the people who work for charities, the people who dedicate time and effort to helping others, and the people who go that extra mile.

After a lengthy online interview by a panel of judges, SCPS founder Alan Bell MBE was thrilled to discover the charity, based in the Barony St John Centre, had been nominated.

Representatives will travel to London for the awards ceremony, taking place at the Hilton Bankside hotel on October 5.

A delighted Alan spoke to the Herald after being informed of the nomination - praising the great team that made it possible.

He said: “Back in 2017, we reached the final of The British Quality Foundation's UK Excellence Awards in the category of ‘Equality and Diversity Excellence’.

"This category recognised the diversity of both the personal safety courses we provide for females, children, people with disabilities, etc - and also the diversity of our team of volunteer instructors which include blind, hearing impaired and mobility impaired individuals.

"Unfortunately, we didn’t win back then, so we were delighted to hear that we had once again reached the final of these much sought-after awards which showcase the UK’s best-of-the-best.

"For a small charity with only nine volunteer instructors to reach this final is amazing enough - but to get put forward for Princess Anne’s Patron’s Award is a wonderful honour in itself and a testament to the hard work our phenomenal team of volunteers do in our community and throughout Scotland.

"Our fingers are crossed and I’d like to thank everyone who nominated us, our supporters and our volunteers."