Liz and Brian Fettes  from Cumnock are amongst the nominees in the West Sound Cream of Ayrshire awards, which will be presented at a glittering ceremony held at the Brig O Doon House Hotel in Alloway.

The awards, featuring groups and individuals from across Ayrshire in nine categories, will be held on Thursday 6^th October, an evening which will kick off with a champagne reception, followed by the ceremony and entertainment.

Liz and Brian has been nominated in the ‘Good Neighbour’ category (sponsored by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue) by local people, with the nomination saying: “I moved next door to Liz and her husband Brian in 1971 with my mum and dad, I was only 7 years old. Throughout the years they were great neighbours to my late parents and now me. In 1998 my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease @ the age of 53. As you can imagine this was a devastating blow to both me and my dad emotionally and it became even more distressing as her illness progressed but Liz was always just next door if we needed her to do a bit of shopping, do mum’s hair as she couldn’t go to the hairdresser, sit with mum to let my dad out a walk to unwind or just to sit and talk to him when he felt lonely or isolated as I would be at work during the day.

“Sadly in February 2001 my dad died very suddenly and I took on the role of carer for my mum. It wasn’t an easy task but Liz was always there to lend a hand with caring for my mum, helping me when I got in from work, as she would often have cooked a meal ready to heat up, helped with showering and bathing her and most of all ensuring I was able to cope and not be on my own. Eventually my mum needed much more care than I could provide and was admitted to a local nursing home and this totally ripped my heart out but again Liz was only a knock on the door away and supported me emotionally throughout the whole process, the time mum was in care and after her death in 2007. Even when I thought I didn’t need help she was always there in the background keeping an eye on me making sure I was managing but most of all she took on the role of surrogate mum and still does. I get told off now and again when I have been BAD!!!!(quite often)

“ Liz and Brian also help me to look after my two Springer spaniels that are the most important thing in my life when I am at work or going out for a night with my friends.  Recently she looked after me when I broke my ankle and was in plaster for 11 weeks. She did my washing, changed my beds, helped with my housework, made meals and came in every night at 10pm to make sure I had everything I needed at bedtime or to help me get upstairs when I struggled with them. Again her shoulder was always there if I needed it.

“Liz is a fantastic person in every sense of the word and one of the best neighbours and friends I have. My life would have been so much more difficult if she had not been part of it over the years.”

Good luck to Liz and Brian at the awards! Post your messages and comments here on s1cumnock