Inverness Courier chief reporter named as journalist of the year

Val Sweeney, Chief Reporter of the Inverness Courier, has been named Journalist of the Year for the Highlands and Islands. Val received her award from Jack McConnell, First Minister, at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball which was held at Nairn on Friday (2 February).

Val received £500 from the sponsors of the awards, Diageo, the world's premium drinks company, £300 of which be donated to a charity of her choice. She also picked up the highly commended award in the Feature Writer of the Year category.. Gordon Fyfe, Chairman of the Judging Panel, said Val's outstanding portfolio of features and news reports had won her the top award.

He said: "Val is an experienced reporter, who thoroughly deserves her recognition for consistently high quality work in reporting and in more in-depth feature writing. In challenging subjects, such as cancer diagnosis and childhood sex abuse sufferers, Val showed an insight into the subject, demonstrating a sensitive touch."

The Press Ball raised £2,600 for four charities, namely the Highland Wheelchair Dancing Club; Crocus Child Bereavement Service; Sunshine Holiday Fund and the Alzheimer Scotland.

The Community Newspaper of the Year, the Ileach from Islay, donated £100 of their prize money to the community-run McTaggart Leisure Centre in Bowmore, while the Shetland Times, winners of the Newspaper of the Year, donated their £500 prize to the new Shetland mental health charity, Mind Your Head.

Note to newsdesks:
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) is responsible for economic and community development in an area which covers more than half of Scotland, from Shetland to Argyll.  HIE's headquarters are in Inverness and most of its services are delivered through local enterprise companies. The Network employs around 550 people and last year invested more than £100 million to help people living in the Highlands and Islands realise their full potential.

For further information on HIE, log onto www.hie.co.uk

For further information contact:
Caroline Rham
HIE Communications
01463 244244