We are searching for 'super heroes, unsung heroes, extraordinary people and all those fundraiser
So many special people attended the presentation evening last year, here are the winning stories about Bedfordshire's extraordinary people
Care in the Community sponsored by The Harpur Trust
Winner Jady Haggerwood
Jady currently has 30 years teaching all kinds of needlework at Clapham School for Seniors as well as being chairman for 10 years, keeping the school going, for over 50year olds to learn, socialize and make friends. She is a church steward wih 12 years experience and serves on the church committees for Pastoral Care, Social activities, and property. Is an escort to the driver on vehicles used by Parkinson's OK (Bedford Branch) is on the fundraising Committee for the MS Society (Bedford Branch) and on committee for RBL (Clapham Branch) and a member of the National Federation of Pensioners Committee (Bedford Branch). She received a Millenium Fellowship Certificate in 2000 for her work with young children in Clapham. Amongst all three activities she is always available for a chat if you are down, worried or in need of comfort.
Service with a Smile sponsored by COSTA
Winner Goldington Day Care Cenre
Nominated by Guy Moliterno Whilst this Day Care Centre is part of the Borough Council and all the staff receive a salary, each individual working at the centre go that extra 10 miles not just one to provide a personal friendly and accommodating place and environment for all the people who attend. This is from the drivers who pick up the clients, the carers, the Manager and the office staff. Nothing is too much for them. They know the clients by first name terms and take the time to know about their families and history. My Mother being Italian did not want to go at first. She has now been there for some 2 years and she goes three times a week. She cannot wait to get into my car so that she can spend time there. Friendly Neighbour of the Year sponsored by Eagle Ale, Charles Wells Brewery
Winner Diane Sharp
Diane ,with the help of her friend Pat has been making dinners once a month for the elderly in Flitwick. She started serving them on her own home but when the numbers got too big moved them to The Baptist Church where she is a member. During this time she had a stroke but managed to overcome it and carry on with the Lunches for the Elderly.by doing this wonderful service she and her support team are able to be aware of their many needs and therefor give the help needed. Diane does all this and much more in the community with such love and always with a smile on her face even though she herself would be eligible for the over sixtys lunches herself as she is 70 herself. Claire has been ill herself over the past two years and not been able to run the Ark group at my church which is an Art and craft and coffee morning once a week on a Monday. Diane very kindly stepped in and has been keeping it going for me till she can get back.
Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by The Harpur Trust
Winner Muhammed Adam and Devado Anderson
Adam and Devado are two very ambitious boys that applied for funding at the age of 11 for a football camp in there local area for themselves and other young people. They are part of a football club but they wanted to give other young people who could not afford to pay fees and were not part of a club a chance. They understood that when other young people don't have anything to do they get bored and get into antisocial behaviour. The boys presented their project as they do in dragon den and came second and won an award of £560 for there project and they were competing with youngsters aged up to 21 alongside 13 other projects from which only 5 were selected. This summer they put together a project with help from adults and applied for funding for a summer scheme and a football tournament which they also received and that service catered for more that 20 young people each day. It is inspiring to see such young boys who care about their fellow friends and are aware how easy it is to get into the bad crowd. They provided a service in the summer at a time where young people can get into crime and anti social behaviour.
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by bpha
Winner Sarah Broughton
Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Bedford Foodbank's volunteers work with referral partners to provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in our community. Last year foodbanks in the UK fed over 128,000 people experiencing food poverty. Sarah Broughton is a mother of four children and volunteers full time hours to help with the admin and management of the Bedford Foodbank. She is the driving force in helping the Bedford Foodbank run six distribution centres in Bedford. She goes into schools and work places whenever the chance provides itself to talk about poverty and hunger. She turns her hand to every need of Bedford Foodbank in an effort to see the people of Bedford take care of each other. Sarah is passionate about ending poverty and about seeing the people of Bedford serve one another. She has championed the Bedford Foodbank at numerous events and talks of it in her own time. She has chosen not to work a paid job in order to serve the Bedford Foodbank and help Bedford . She views the ways she works and serves Bedford as a normal part of playing your role within a community.
Excellence in Education sponsored by the University of Bedfordshire MK Campus
Winner Mark Rutherford School
Mark Rutherford School has been running a highly successful school Business Group since 2011. From an initial handful of businesses, the group has grown dramatically. The school now invites local businesses to regular breakfast meetings, where they have developed close relationships that benefit both parties. The meetings are themed so that businesses have the opportunity to discuss topics that are relevant to them, such as Interview Skills and the local labour market. The resulting dialogue informs the schools curriculum on how they can aid development of the young people to produce the type of employees that local businesses need. The partnership has provided work experience, interview practice, mentoring and advice whilst the school gives something back by offering businesses a chance to network and present at the meetings. Students from the school are also present at the breakfasts, enabling them to chat with businesses who can inspire confidence and aid with the students aspirations. The partnership also attracts intermediary organisations that support young people in their education and transition to the workplace. These organisations are often in a unique position to give an overview of the wider issues facing education and employment in the county, and share useful information across different sectors.
Raising the Profile of the Town sponsored by Nisa Local
Winner Richard Harpham and the Bedford Canoe Trail
The Bedford Canoe Trail - Richard Harpham and his team live and breath promoting their love for "Bedford". From the famous Bedford Canoe Trail, kayaking lessons and festivals up and down the River Ouse to his educational programme : "inspired Life" which are motivational talks to school pupils around the Uk, and in this year Richard delivered this programme to 15 different schools in Leeds. Nominator Tobias Mews wrote "Being a journalist, I therefore wrote a piece for the Telegraph about how it's possible to go on an adventure within an hour of London. The feedback I got from my readers was extraordinary. No one realised what lay on their doorstep. My eyes have certainly been opened thanks to the Canoe Trail - I'll be back for sure."
Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by Mayfair Financial, Mortgage and Insurance Consultants
Winner Mark Butcher
Mark's younger sister Angela who was diagnosed with single cell ovarian cancer, a rare form of gynaecology cancer at just 29. There is no cure as very little was known about this form of cancer as there was no funding for research, so, Mark started to fund raise to pay for the research sadly Angela passed away on the 1st of January 2013. Mark continued to raise money by selling unwanted furniture cake selling, and charity walks he set up a charity fund in Angela's name but he also set himself a target of £25,000 for research, In June this year Mark reached his target and was able to start funding the research. in true Mark fashion he's still raising funds and has passed the £27,000 Mark. Co incidentally, the family where in London today meeting the professor responsible for the research, so it's very fitting that he is deservedly awarded tonight.
Unsung Hero of the Year sponsored by Keens Shay Keens
Winner Richard Spencer
Richard Spencer, 62, sustained a spinal cord injury after breaking his neck in a car crash when driving home after work at Christmas time over 30 years ago causing him to be paralysed from the chest down with limited hand function. After meeting a representative from Back Up at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Centre in 2009 he heard about the services on offer from Back Up and started to volunteer providing support for people who had just had an injury and were now facing the prospect of living a life with paralysis. He is able to draw on his vast experience to enable them to work through their challenges. In 2011, Richard became a power chair skills trainer to share his wealth of experience using a power chair to teach people how to use their power chairs and help build their confidence and independence when they left the spinal centre and returned home. Richard has proved that life can go on after a spinal cord injury and has helped to transform so many peoples lives. He has proved to be an invaluable volunteer to the charity- a true role model for people who are paralysed with a spinal cord injury.
People's Choice Award sponsored by Stanair Industrial Doors
Winner Mohammed Nadeem
Nadeem understands that the tensions in Luton between the various communities were a direct consequence of a lack of understanding and cohesion. As such, he sought how this could be challenged and further overcome. Nadeem was of the opinion that diversity should be celebrated and that by having an online channel highlighting this diversity, communities would be able to come together to view the outstanding achievements of their people. As such, Living Luton TV became more than just a vision. It was a community effort involving individuals and professionals from all walks of life. Further, an issue currently faced by Luton is the lack of opportunities offered to the youth. By Living Luton TV offering voluntary internships in many fields such as media, marketing, journalism and fashion amongst others, young people are able to gain vital experience which will be fundamental in gaining employment in the future. Local charities and organisations were additionally informed of Living Luton TV- a channel that would provide them with a platform to feature their services and their commitment to enhancing and improving the lives of local residents. Having undertaken huge challenges previously to raise substantial funds for those in need across the world; Mohammed Nadeem once again took it upon himself to create a “buzz” in the community and bring together individuals of all ages and backgrounds to raise awareness and funds for charities. Working closely with Living Luton TV, Cake and food sales were organised by Nadeem, with local businesses and residents donating food, funds and other items. Events were organised with meticulous planning, with Mohammed Nadeem providing individuals with the opportunity to manage the events and to consequently gain vital work experience for future employment.
This year our guest speaker is James Redmond, famed for his appearances on Casulty and Emmerdale and is a professional presenter in his own right. The presentation evening is taking place at the Bedford Corn Exchange on Friday 4th December from 7pm onwards
make sure you nominate someone you know for an award
BUSINESSES OF BEDFORDSHIRE
If you would like to be involved in this very special event, please sponsor a category or other element of the event. Prices start from just £500 and in return for your support in making this special occasion happen we offer you a multi-media branding package, please follow this link http://bitly.com/2015MultiMediaBranding for more details or contact the JP Midlands Events Team on 01536 506123 or email: et.exhibitions@jpress.co.uk
