Paul O’Kane joined members of the community to pay tribute to Auchenback Active Stalwarts Rita Connelly and Irene Simpson.
The commemoration of remembrance event took place at Auchenback Resource Centre on Friday morning where O’Kane joined Chair of Auchenback Active Brian Connelly, Councillor Danny Devlin, Provost Mary Montague and the families of Rita and Irene to pay tribute to both women.
Two commemorative benches, which will be placed outside the Auchenback Resource Centre, were presented at the ceremony.
The Auchenback Active Chair and Board agreed that it would be a fitting tribute to erect the two remembrance benches in the newly landscaped front garden.
The tribute coincides with the 20-year anniversary of the opening of the ARC.
Rita Connelly was a founding member of the Auchenback Active Limited and held many posts including Director, Treasurer, Fundraising Co-ordinator and Volunteer.
Irene Simpson was a long-standing member of Auchenback Active Limited and served as a Director, Vice Treasurer, Fundraiser Convenor and Press Correspondent.
Commenting, Scottish Labour MSP Paul O’Kane said:
“It was an honour to be invited along to this remembrance ceremony for two fantastic women who were a huge part of the success of the Auchenback Resource Centre.
“To share that moment with their families and the trustees of Auchenback Active was very special.
“The benches are a fitting tribute to Rita and Irene and I believe their legacies of all the people they helped over the years in the Auchenback community will live on”
