A Mauchline woman has claimed a top award for inspiring women, thanks to her work on a school campus project.
Eileen Mackin, project director at Hub South East Scotland, scooped the award for ‘Contribution to a Project’ at the CN & NCE Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards for her role in the Beatlie School Campus project.
With nominees from across the UK, judges decided that Eileen stood out for her inclusive and collaborative approach to ensure bespoke solutions for Beatlie School, a learning space providing specialist education for pupils with complex support and profound medical needs.
The £15.7 million school serves as a centre of excellence for children and young people, with purpose-built facilities including a sensory garden, hydrotherapy pool and NHS Child Development Centre at the site in Livingston, West Lothian.
Eileen, who is originally from Cumnock, championed the use of innovative assistive technology for Beatlie which will have a profoundly positive impact on pupils’ lives and she has gone above and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy.
Facing her fear in 2022, Eileen even did a 10,000-foot skydive, raising more than £9,000 for the school.
Eileen said: “I'm completely shell shocked at having won, especially given then number and quality of my fellow nominees.
“To be able to create a facility that enables the educational experience of the truly inspirational young people, staff, carers and families of Beatlie to be richer, was a real privilege.
"The greatest accolade of all was returning to see the smiles from those people as they enjoy their new learning space.
"Beatlie was, and still is, the project closest to my heart, and this award may be in my name but it belongs to every single person who worked with me on the project.”
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Supporting evidence to Eileen's nomination was submitted by Beatlie School head teacher, Carole Robbie.
Carole said: “From the very start of the new Beatlie School build, and Eileen's first visit to Beatlie, it has been very apparent that the children and young people in Beatlie stole Eileen's heart and inspired a drive in her to support us in any way she was able.
"There are not many people who would 'happily'(?) jump out of an aeroplane for you but last year that's exactly what she did, raising thousands of pounds for the school.
"This year she organised an Easter raffle and persuaded her colleagues to buy tickets raising hundreds of pounds more.
"In addition, she has always been so warm and friendly, supportive and helpful.
"She is a very special person and I am incredibly grateful to consider her a friend and now an honorary Beatlie Babe."
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