Following the huge success of my Covid Local Heroes Awards I have commenced a local hero award for those in Edinburgh South who have gone above and beyond for their communities.

Today I was privileged to present the first Community Hero Award to Ian Mycko from Gilmerton. Ian is a second-generation Ukrainian who has lived in Edinburgh all his life. His Ukrainian mother and father met in Scotland after coming here during WW2.

He’s spent the last 6 months working tirelessly for the Ukrainian community here and back in Ukraine. He’s loaded lorries, driven vans, organised drivers, carried heavy beds, co-ordinated donations and got thousands and thousands of tons of aid and supplies into Poland and Ukraine.

He’s a very humble man that doesn’t want any recognition but he deserves it in spades, nominated by the people who know him and for what he has done to help others.
Of course, he will say he’s part of a good team, he is, but it’s individuals like Ian that make things happen and without them things wouldn’t happen.

I met Ian and enjoyed chatting about his family, Ukraine and Hearts! Thank you Ian for all you do, keep up the great work and we are all standing in solidarity with you and Ukraine.

If you know anyone who has gone above and beyond for their community please get in touch.