AN Ardrossan man has been nominated in the Scottish Charity Awards for his years of humanitarian work with Save the Children.

Rob MacGillivray, a senior humanitarian adviser with Save the Children, is in the running for a Leading Light Award, which recognises exceptional and influential individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to a charity or cause.

Last year, Rob led a Save the Children search and rescue ship, which helped thousands of refugees making the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean, including newborn babies and numerous children and families fleeing war, poverty and violence.

Some of their most dramatic rescues included a woman who was eight-months pregnant with pre-eclampsia and an eight-year-old Syrian girl with severe asthma, both of whom were medevaced to hospital immediately.

It was because of Rob’s tenacity and dedication – from initiating the project, to sourcing the ship and leading the team that allowed Save the Children to carry out thousands of lifesaving rescues.

Described by proud colleagues as “our very own Humanitarian Warrior”, Rob has been an aid worker for over 30 years, spending the last 14 years with Save the Children. 

Based in Ardrossan but regularly deployed, the 59-year-old has led the charity’s response on Ebola in Sierra Leone, was the first on the ground organising the aid effort in Iraq, and most recently, initiated and led the team’s search and rescue response in the Mediterranean.

As Save the Children’s Senior Humanitarian Advisor, Rob is deployed throughout the world, where the need is greatest, leading on the charity’s humanitarian response. 

Neil Mathers, Save the Children’s Head of Scotland, said: “Rob is such a force for good and has endless amounts of drive and passion for aid work and is true to his humanitarian ideals.

“Most recently, outraged by the fact that refugees were still dying trying to make their way to safety, he persuaded the organisation to run a search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean. 

“The Vos Hestia launched last summer and Rob has led on the entire operation, making it his mission to save as many lives as possible. 

“The ship – just back on the water for 2017 – has rescued almost 3,000 to date – an incredible achievement. 

To vote for Rob, visit this link before 5pm on Friday, May 26.