A MUM who has dedicated her free time to helping young people has received a top ‘Scout’s honour’.

Shirley Cairney, of Inverkip, was overwhelmed when she was recently presented with the ‘Award of Merit’ by the Scout Association for years of hard work.

The 52-year-old, who is the assistant regional commissioner for West Region Scouts, was surprised with the award while she was running a training session at the Scouts’ Lapwing Lodge facility in Renfrewshire.

Stephen Allan, who is the regional commissioner, says Shirley deserves to be recognised for her outstanding contribution to the organisation.

Stephen told the Tele: “Shirley is an amazing person who has contributed so much to Scouting at group, district and regional level. 

“Since taking on the training role for us her record has been phenomenal.

I can’t think of anybody who deserves this as much as Shirley does.”

Over the past 30 months, Shirley and her team have helped 341 leaders complete training.

In her time with Greenock and District, Shirley was Group Scout Leader of 85th (Inverkip), where she rebuilt the group from one of the smallest in the district to one of the largest in the country. She also played a key role as Deputy District Commissioner from 2008 to 2013. 

Shirley, pictured centre, who works as a social work manager in Greenock, was the pioneer of the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ project and champion of child protection and awareness. She received her award from Mr Allan while some other surprise visitors appeared – including some of her ‘old’ Greenock and District team members, husband Peter and son Cameron.