Two Oban charities have been given a helping hand as a result of this year's Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards.
Diageo Journalist of the Year Moira Kerr’s prize included a cheque for £500, of which £300 goes to charity. After seeking suggestions on social media, Moira decided to split the money between Martyn’s Monday Club, a peer-to-peer group that encourages people to talk about mental health problems; and Hope Kitchen, which provides food and friendship to the homeless, the lonely and anyone in need.
Moira said: “I ended up being torn between these two good causes, so I split the money between them."
This is the second time that Moira has won the Journalist of the Year trophy. When she won in 2016, she donated £300 to Oban RNLI lifeboat.
The Highlands and Islands Media Awards are held annually and are presented at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball. Diageo is principal sponsor, with other support coming from System2, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Hub North Scotland and the National Union of Journalists. The event raised £3,200 for charity this year and has now donated more than £100,000 to good causes in the Highlands and Islands.