Pride in the Community Awards 2008
In association with Pleasurewood Hills
“This evening is to celebrate and recognise all those special
unsung heroes and heroines in our community and gives us a chance
to recognise those people who would not necessarily make the headlines."
Russell Cook, Editor
ROLL OF HONOUR
Community Hero
Winner: Geraldine Bailey
Geraldine of Lound Road, Blundeston, has been an active part of community life for 58 years, having been the parochial church council secretary, played the organ at St Mary’s Church for 40 years and runs a weekly club for the over 60s. She also invites people into her home for Christmas dinner, who would otherwise be alone.
She said: “I’m three years off 80 so I think its time to slow down a bit but it’s nice to provide a family Christmas lunch for others on their own.”
Other finalists - John Pawsey and David and Janet Barwick.
Business of the Year
Winner: Southwold Post Office
Guy Mitchell and his team at Spots Limited, in Southwold, have experienced an extra burden since the post office in Reydon closed this year, but nothing fazes them. The girls in the store are always cheerful and more than willing to help and their product knowledge is excellent.
Guy said: “It’s obviously been a difficult year for the Post Office but we’ve been truly lucky and it’s great to receive this as it shows that people value the post office as part of their community.
Other finalists – Jazos Cancer Charity Shop and Hidden Treasures.
Kind Neighbour of the Year
Winner: Alvin Thomas
Alvin, of Peddars Way, Lowestoft, who is 81 gives support to Deborah Young’s elderly parents who are both poorly. He arrives every morning with their newspapers, goes shopping for them on his mobility scooter, goes to doctor’s appointments with them and phones at least once a day to make sure they’re okay.
Alvin said: “I can’t understand as what I am doing are such simple things. I ride on my scooter for little things they run out of and I get lots of kicks out of doing it.”
Other finalists – Christine Lawn, Bernie and Pauline Smith.
Remarkable Person of the Year
Winner: Claire Bonfield
Claire, of London Road South, Lowestoft, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2004. This year she has endured three lots of brain surgery bringing the total to 25 operations, 23 of which were on her brain. She has had to learn to walk and do things for herself again and goes to school everyday at Stradbroke – an hour’s journey each way.
Claire said: “I want to thank all my family for being there for me and Janet (Ellis) and Zoiyar (Cole) who have helped me for fundraising. They have been so amazing.”
Other finalists – Lester Morse and Billy Hansford.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Hazel Johnson
Hazel, who is based at the Riverside Centre, in Lowestoft, is currently leading a team of entrepreneurs in a bid to make Lowestoft the top town in the country in the Enterprising Britain competition. During her time at Kirkley High School she was the driving force behind improvements such as the Sanyo Unit, vocational centre and the music department, which was the basis for Rock School. More recently she has been at the forefront of the campaign to Save the Seagull Theatre.
Hazel said: “I’m stunned and flabbergasted and I really do feel this is an amazing honour. The key to any success is the wonderful group of people I work with, it’s down to all of them. I’ve been in Lowestoft 40 years and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
Other finalists Fadoo and Emma Shilling.
Teacher of the Year
Winner: Teri Ward
Teri has been instrumental in helping to change 15-year-old Liam Blowers school life. Since he was offered a place at Old Warren House in Warren Road, Lowestoft, the teenager, who has ADHD and learning problems, has enrolled on a college course to do an NVQ in cooking and said Teri has helped him to feel safe and happy at school.
Teri said: “I’d like to say thank you to Liam and his mum. I’m very proud to receive this on behalf of the school. We are very small and we all work together as a team so this isn’t just for me, it’s for Old Warren House staff.”
Other finalists Andrea Colley and Keith Hunter.
Employee of the Year
Winner: Glen Cone
Glen was first noticed by Spring, The Press, in Southwold, when he asked for work experience. Despite becoming a dad very young he still pursued his ambitions to become a designer. Now he is on is way to becoming studio manager, thanks to his deep sense of responsibility.
He said: “It’s a difficult industry to break into and it’s always good to do work experience. I went in there, worked hard and it paid off. I’m lucky with the people I work with, they are a great bunch.”
Other finalists – Clare Wyndham and Taina Ali.
Where the Heart Is
Winner: Zoiyar Cole
After Zoiyar, of Love Lane, Pakefield, lost her son Paul to cancer, she dedicated her life to raising money for cancer charities and has raised nearly £200,000 in his memory. Sponsored bike rides, parading in her pyjamas and most recently the Lowestoft giant toe dipping chain are just some of her stunts.
She said: “I started doing it in memory of Paul and you just get hooked on it. You take a little bit of money and you want to raise a bit more. I’m absolutely overwhelmed and grateful to everyone who nominated me, I can’t thank them enough.”
Other finalists - Mary Knights and Karl Belmore.
Inspirational Children of the Year
Lydia Davies, Ben McMillan, Matthew Munro and Hannah Richardson
Judges felt it impossible to choose a winner, from what they felt were all remarkable finalists.
Lydia, seven, of Reydon, has cerebral palsy and dyplegia. She attends Reydon Primary School and was nominated by her one-to-one learning support assistant Bev Woolnough. Her strong will and utter determination to succeed is humbling and though life is extremely challenging, she never gives up and always has a smile or a joke for her friends and family.
Ben, nine, of Wrentham, has cranial stenosis, with hearing, eye and speech problem and has recently been diagnosed with hypo mobility, but through this stays happy, smiling and focused. He is moving to Beccles Middle School in September and his grandmother Doreen is sure he will put a smile on everyone’s faces who meet him.
Matthew, of Carlton Colville, is 13 and has cystic fibrosis. This year he has had many hospital admissions, often for two or three weeks at a time and has to stay in hospital almost every school holiday, spending extra time catching up on what he’s missed. He has a great smile and bags of character in spite of often feeling ill and puts so much effort and enthusiasm into the clubs and activities he is involved in.
Hannah, of Kessingland, is seven and does not walk, talk or eat like any other child or her age. Doctors are still puzzled about her condition and to date she has no diagnosis. Before she was a year old she started going off solid food and losing weight considerably and she now has a gastrostomy button fitted to enable her to feed. She is very cheeky, aware of her surroundings and is learning new things every day.
Our sponsors: Pleasurewood Hills
Our sponsors Pleasurewood Hills, which was established in the early
1980s, is proud of the region's heritage and sees the importance
of passion and commitment to the local community in which it operates.
It's this passion for the community which forms the essence of
these awards.
Yves Delhommeau, general manager at the park in Leisure Way said:
“We are delighted at the opportunity to play a progressive
role in helping to develop the Pride in the Community Awards and
look forward to meeting and celebrating with some wonderful people
along the way.”
The region's premier theme park is well placed to put its name
alongside these prestigious awards.
It has ambitious plans to develop the park for the future and relies
heavily on its employee's (over 150 staff at peak season) to go
the extra mile in ensuring every visitor's experience is a special
one. The park also supports many local businesses who supply a range
of goods and materials and this commitment to the economy and the
people that live and work in the area will provide genuine value
to the awards.