A DEDICATED volunteer and town host has been praised for her hard work by the Hexham community.

Katrin Auld has been nominated by her peers to be our person of the week. 

Originally from Sweden, Katrin has put her stamp on the town by volunteering at Hexham Community Partnership events or by being a town host several times a month.

She also helps bring culture to the town by organising and promoting her hometown festival of Sankta Lucia, which is officially observed in Sweden on December 13.

READ MORE Sankta Lucia event to return to Hexham Abbey 2022

The event was first created in 2017 and every year it is organised by Katrin Auld and supported by Hexham Town Council, Northumberland County Council, Queen’s Hall Arts and Hexham Community Partnership. 

Singers from the renowned London Nordic Choir perform traditional Scandinavian-inspired seasonal song every year.

After the pandemic, it returned in 2022 and was a sold-out event.

Hexham Courant: The trinity baby and toddler group in Hexham presents the cheque to volunteer Katrin Auld.The trinity baby and toddler group in Hexham presents the cheque to volunteer Katrin Auld. (Image: NQ)

When she is not volunteering, she is a student at University of Cumbria and a photographer.

Janie French, from Hexham Community Partnership said: "Katrin is incredibly generous with her time.

"She's a huge support to Hexham Community Partnership. For instance, Katrin is one of our most dedicated volunteer town hosts, welcoming visitors to Hexham come rain or shine.

"Katrin is also the main force behind the Sankta Lucia event at Hexham Abbey, which will hopefully return this Christmas."

Cllr Suzanne Fairless-Aitken added: "Katrin is a real community-hearted person, she has organised nationally covered events like the Sankta Lucia almost single-handedly.

"She also wears a high vis with pride as one of our town hosts to welcome people and marshall to keep folk save at our many town events.

"Always a smile and a kind word and she's outside rain or shine on market days. A true creative spirit and unique Hexham character and the best cinnamon roll maker!"

Responding to the nomination, Katrin said: "It's very kind that I have been nominated as a person of the week. I just like being involved in stuff and meet people."