BETTING shop staff in Selkirk have won national recognition for their fundraising and volunteering work in the local community.

The Scotbet shop in the town’s Market Place was a finalist in the first ever ‘Community Betting Shop of the Year Award’ organised by ABB Scotland, the trade body for retail betting shops.

Ladbrokes in Dunoon won first prize, William Hill in Johnstone claimed second place, and Scotbet’s Selkirk shop secured third place in the hard fought competition.

ABB Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison told the Border Telegraph: “We launched this competition because we felt it was important to celebrate the amazing work that so many staff do in their local community through fundraising and volunteering.

"Many of our staff have worked in the industry for decades and take a real pride in their work and in their local community.

“This community spirit is perfectly illustrated in Selkirk, where shop staff have been making a real difference to their communities for years.”

The Selkirk shop was recognised for its impressive fundraising and volunteering efforts, which include staff taking part in a skydive to raise £2,000 for the Special Care Baby Unit at Borders General Hospital and a shark dive at North Queensferry’s Deep Sea World that helped raise £2,400 for Cash for Kids.

Judges were also impressed by the shop’s role as a community hub including sponsorship of the town’s two bowling clubs and the Woll Golf Club, and their subsidised race days at Kelso for older customers who might not otherwise be able to afford a day at the races.

Shop co-manager Andy Bennett, a former UK betting shop manager of the year in 2011, who compiled the Scotbet nomination, said: “I was lucky enough to be appointed a co-manager of Scotbet's Selkirk branch when we opened in the town.

"I've always believed it to be important to give something back, and I firmly believe it's this passion for the local community that makes for such a nice atmosphere in the shop.

“I've met some amazing people through this industry, both staff and customers, and I really believe that it is something to be celebrated.

"It never fails to amaze me how generous our customers are when they get behind local causes and it's a source of real pride to manage this shop.”

Co-manager Denise McCallum added: "We are absolutely delighted that our work in the local community has been recognised and I'm really pleased for all our colleagues.

"They work hard to create a welcoming environment for customers and are committed to helping good causes in the community."

As well as a trophy and certificate, the Selkirk team will receive £250 to donate to their chosen charity, the Special Care Baby Unit at Borders General Hospital

Local MP John Lamont visited the bookies earlier this month to congratulate management and staff on the award.

He told us: "The staff at Scotbet in Selkirk have done the Borders proud, coming an impressive third in the Community Betting Shop of the Year award.

"They have raised thousands of pounds for local causes thanks to their hard work and the generosity of Borderers. It’s great that by receiving this award, the Selkirk team have managed to raise even more money for a really worth cause, with another £250 going to the special care baby unit at BGH.”

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