A TIRELESS campaigner from the Borders has won a top accolade for campaigning and influencing.

Diana Findley won Age Scotland’s national Jess Barrow Award for the work she has done to improve the lives of older people over the past 23 years.

The 83-year-old is well known in the Borders as a tour de force.

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Diana got her start as a campaigner when she began carrying out promotional work for the newly-established Age Scotland.

She served as a board member for three years, and is now a valued ambassador for the charity.

But her ambassadorship is far from the only role she holds.

Border Telegraph: Diana Findley

Diana currently sits on the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum and the Scottish Borders Council’s Borders Older People’s Planning Partnership.

Ahead of the presentation of her award, she said: “I was surprised, shocked and very delighted.

"It’s like winning a prize when you’re at school and it makes you feel you should re-double your efforts to perhaps repeat that lovely feeling.”

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Diana has been a member and trustee of the Scottish Older People’s Assembly since its inception, and in 2018 took over as chairwoman.

She co-founded the Borders Older People’s Forum, giving older people an opportunity to network and share information about services, rights and entitlements.

Her previous roles include chairwoman of the Scottish Better Government for Older People organisation and running Elder Voice in the Scottish Borders for 14 years.

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More recently, Diana has been volunteering at a local group for people living with dementia and their carers.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive officer at Age Scotland, said: “Diana’s drive and energy have done so much to improve the lives of older people in the Borders and beyond. She is tireless in her determination to ensure that older people’s voices are heard and their opinions included in decision making at local and national level.

“Over more than two decades, Diana has made life better for older people and we’re delighted that, at 83, she shows no signs of slowing down. It is a true honour to present Diana with the Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing in recognition of her inspirational work.”