Agenda item

The Chairman will present the following Community Champion awards for 2015:

·         Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year Award;

·         Volunteer of the Year;

·         Community Group of the Year Award;

·         Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Chairman announced that the first West Berkshire Council Community Champion Awards were launched in 2014. In addition to the pre-existing Junior Citizen Award, three new awards had been created:: the Community Group of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; and the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was very pleased to announce that the Council had received an excellent response and the standard of the nominations in 2015 was once again outstanding.

A judging panel of independent representatives met to consider the nominations in November and found their task very challenging.

The Pat Eastop Junior Citizen Award

The Chairman announced that due to the outstanding level of entries this year, the panel had chosen two winners in this category, Mollie Ballard and Holly George.

Mollie, aged 12, was nominated by Mrs Melanie Best, a parent at the primary school previously attended by Mollie.  Mollie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. She tackled her illness head on with her family and has tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of both diseases and has been raising money through fundraising activities. Mollie’s whole family contribute to the fundraising and awareness raising. In addition, despite having to miss some time at the start of her first term at The Downs School, she still managed to achieve a Head of Year Commendation and a Certificate of Excellence.

The judging panel was very impressed by the innovation, determination and hard work demonstrated by Mollie, all with the end goal of helping others. The panel felt Mollie should be very proud of her achievements.

Holly aged 13, who was nominated by Mr Joyce, Head of House at Kennet School. Holly was currently in receipt of care through the Alexander Devine Hospice Service for a medical condition that affected her daily. Holly had challenged herself to raise £1 million for the charity to help fund the building of the Berkshire Hospice so she set up the ‘Million Hugs for Holly’ campaign. As Holly could not manage a physical challenge she set up this internet campaign. The campaign was launched in July 2015 and as of the 12th October the total raised stood at over £14,000.

The judging panel was very impressed by Holly’s ambition to raise funds for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice and humbled by her determination to help others whilst struggling with her own medical condition. The fundraising idea of a ‘Million Hugs for Holly’ was an excellent concept put into action very quickly. The use of technology was both impressive and inspired. The panel felt that Holly should be very proud of her achievements.

Volunteer of the Year Award.

The nominations in this category were also particularly impressive and therefore the judging panel chose a winner and a ‘highly commended’ nomination

The winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award was David Elliott who was nominated by Mrs Jody Wise for his services to scouting: David had been involved in Scouting for 18 Years. He started with 3rd Newbury Scout Group as a Cub Leader and was now the Scout Leader and Group Scout Leader. He had doubled the size of the Group and now 140 local children attended every week.

David had also been the driving force behind raising funds for a new Scout Hut and he has very nearly reached the goal of attaining funding for a new Den which would be built in early 2016.

The judging panel was very impressed by the nomination.  The contribution made by Mr Elliott to the Scouting movement in Newbury over the last 18 years was exceptional. The development of the 3^rd Newbury Scout Group to an organisation now serving 140 local children was a significant achievement

Mr Graham Bartlettwas awarded Highly Commended in this category. He was nominated by Abi Witting for his services to Thatcham Tornadoes Football Club. Graham had been involved with Thatcham Tornadoes for 25 years. He continued to serve as Chairman of the club and pitches coordinator even though his own children had now grown up. He was also a member of the committee for Douai Abbey Recreation Association and the South Chiltern Minor League football league. In addition he and his wife Lyn were foster carers.

The judging panel was very impressed by the contribution made by Mr Bartlett to Thatcham Tornadoes Football Club. The panel felt that the dedication and commitment shown by Mr Bartlett was exemplary, especially alongside the very challenging role of being a foster carer.

Community Group of the Year.

Due to the strength of the nominations the judging panel chose two winners in this category: CRUSE and Eight Bells for Mental Health.

CRUSE was an organisation that supported people who were bereaved or about to become bereaved and was nominated by Garry Poulson, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire Director. The small but efficient team of highly trained CRUSE listeners and their management committee were amongst the top few in terms of their consistent approach, respect within the community and enthusiasm for their work. They were dedicated to supporting people at what was a critical time in some one’s life when they had lost a loved one.

In the last two years the service had been expanded to encompass training for the wider community and had developed more specialist services such as helping those facing the loss of children or the loss of parents of youngsters.

The judging panel was very impressed by the excellent work carried out by CRUSE in the local community over the last 28 years. The local group of 45 volunteers was clearly well organised and highly experienced which was essential when providing such a challenging and sensitive service. 

Eight Bells for Mental Health was an organisation that supported people who were affected by mental health issues and were nominated by Verity Murricane. They supported people whose lives were affected by mental health issues, to enable them to grow in skill and confidence, and play a healthy constructive role in the community. They provided a place where people felt welcome, accepted, supported and less isolated.

The judging panel was very impressed by the excellent work carried out by Eight Bells for Mental Health in the local community over the last eight years and in particular the large number of members in the group. The panel felt that the work of the group was incredibly worthwhile and should be recognised and congratulated.

Lifetime Achievement Award.

David Hunt was nominated by Sophie Lewin in recognition of over 40 years service to Welford and Wickham Primary School as a school governor. Through his work he had seen the school develop and go from strength to strength, benefitting local children over at least two generations in the village and local community. The school was the first in Berkshire to have a web-site and internet access and computers for the children came about very early. His tireless work on finding funding for projects had ensured the survival of the school at a time when many small village schools had been forced to close.

The latest project he had helped see through to completion had been the all-weather sport facility which was for use by the whole community as well as the school.

The judging panel were very impressed by the dedication and tireless service provided by Mr Hunt to Welford and Wickham School over 40 years, truly a lifetime achievement. The panel felt that Mr Hunt had made a huge contribution to the school not only ensuring its survival but by constantly encouraging the school to develop and progress.

The Chairman congratulated all the nominees and the winners as well as thanking the judging panel.

(The meeting was adjourned from 7.27pm to 7.29pm)