Largs entertainment entrepreneur Ryan Moir has had quite a year after winning awards including North Ayrshire Citizen of the Year.

Preparations are now well under way for the Provost’s Civic Pride Awards 2019, but there’s still plenty of time to nominate your community heroes.

Designed to acknowledge those committed community groups and individuals who are working hard to make improvements to the lives of others, the event - now in its ninth year - has raised over £155,000 for local charities, with proceeds this year again going to the Ayrshire Hospice and Cash for Kids.

The festive period is now upon us - a time of year where many of us take the opportunity to reflect on the events of the past year.

So with that in mind, and to give you some inspiration throughout the nominations process, this week we’re taking a look back at some of 2018’s winners.

Ryan Moir scooped not one but TWO awards, taking home both the Citizen of the Year Award and the Arts and Culture Award.

Ryan was nominated for working tirelessly to promote drama and the arts, particularly in his home town of Largs. He has been one of Scotland’s youngest musical directors, a founding member of The McDougalls and former chair of Barrfields User Group, ensuring a future for Barrfields Theatre in Largs.

He also worked extensively with over 130 children aged four to 17 at Largs Youth Theatre, teaching them drama, music and self-belief. These children put on highly professional shows and many have gone on to study the arts in further education.

Speaking at last year’s event, Ryan said: “It’s a very big surprise, but a wonderful feeling. I didn’t expect to get one award, never mind two, so thank you very much to everyone who voted and supported me – it’s a great honour.”

With five categories to choose from – North Ayrshire Community Group Award, North Ayrshire Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year, North Ayrshire Arts and Culture Award and North Ayrshire Sports Award – you can nominate now by visiting www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/provostscivicprideawards

A specially selected judging panel will draw up a shortlist of nominees before the winners are announced at a glittering charity dinner at the Portal in Irvine on Friday, March 15.

Local businesses and organisations who wish to book a table or donate a prize for the raffle – or lend their support in any other way – should contact the Council’s Corporate Communications Team on 01294 324137.