Volunteer of the Year Award
Sponsor: Erimus Housing
This award is for an individual who gives up their time to help others and makes a difference in their community.
Winner: Ivy Carney
Ivy gives everything to help others to have a better and more rewarding lifestyle and nothing is too much trouble for her. She always makes more time to listen to their problems and gives support where needed. Her enthusiasm is infectious and many of the people she helps go on to help others.
Many of the people in our groups have benefited due to Ivy’s efforts. Some of them were isolated and lonely through one reason or another, others had lost confidence to leave the security of their homes but through the many groups Ivy is involved in, many of these same people lead active and fulfilled lifestyles now.
Runner up: Steve Powell
Steve teaches computer skills to blind and partially sighted people and teaches independence with tasks such as correspondence, as well as helping people develop new skills such as using the internet.
Steve himself is registered blind and travels using public transport. He has worked with the Teesside and District Society for the Blind for many years and has taught over 20 people to be independent.
Commendation: Terry Pickering
Terry works all week in the RAF. When he comes home, he volunteers in St Cuthbert’s Youth and Community Centre, working and helping other young people. He also takes the time to help with WMNT Young People’s Development Team.
Terry gives all his time when he’s home and he also does voluntary leave to come home and work in the youth club with the team. Terry is a really strong support for the Development Team and a fantastic worker with the young people.
Young Person of the Year Award
Sponsor: Tees Valley Trust
This award is for anyone aged 19 or under who shows respect for others and earns it in return through their behaviour. A commendation certificate was given in this category to recognise a very close third place.
Winner: Peter Oldfield
Peter can always be trusted to give his best in anything asked of him. He successfully secured nearly £5,000 for a video project he is involved in, taking a lead role and supporting other young people throughout the process.
Younger members look up to Peter as a great role model who is always there for them. Peter is now 17 and really does have a bright future ahead. This is a result of all his hard work and projects supported.
Runner up: Matthew Holland
Matthew does a lot of work in St Cuthbert’s Youth and Community Centre and also helped with younger and older people developing Carter Park. He encourages young people to get involved with projects. He helps all the young people at the youth club and has won a Home Office award for his work.
Commendation: Lewis Riley
Whilst playing in Laycock Park Lewis came across a man who had fallen over and hurt himself. Lewis rang 999 for help as he was concerned for the man’s welfare.
He made a big difference to the person who had injured himself, as his condition may have become more serious if he wasn’t helped. The person was a member of the public who was not known to Lewis personally.It is very nice to see that he acted in a very positive manner.
Good Neighbour of the Year Award
Sponsor: Endeavour Housing
This award recognises an individual who is a real gem - the type of person who is always willing to pop next-door and help with shopping or housework, or simply looks out for you.
Winner: Margaret Allinson
Margaret has been nominated for this award because of a number of things she does. She runs bingo nights on Mondays, has set up a huge collection of books so that local residents have their own library, organises trips and outings for the West Lane Residents’ Association and holds a monthly money draw. Also, with Margaret’s help young people from the area have great times at Christmas, Halloween and on outings. Margaret rings local residents who live alone almost every day to ask if they are ok.
Runner-up: Graham Tremain
Graham is constantly cleaning the rear alleyways of Corder Road, Bishop Street and Stockton Road of litter. He collects this rubbish in order to keep the alley tidy and contains it within his garden area until it can be collected. Graham can regularly be seen doing odd jobs for residents like trimming hedges and fixing fencing.
Achievement in Learning Award
Sponsor: Macmillan Academy
This award is for an individual who has made excellent progress in learning or has made an outstanding achievement or overcome problems to gain qualifications.
Winner: David Robinson
In September 2004 David was nominated as a candidate for a joinery course. David was, at that time a very quiet unassuming pupil who lacked confidence in his own ability. The quality of the woodwork he has produced over the last two years has been exceptional and he has worked with five other pupils on a community project at Marton Grove Primary School to brighten up a playground.
Runner-up: David Blackwell
Despite David being at college and being a self-employed window cleaner, he still finds the time to look after a relative. The literacy skills course David is doing benefits his relative as well as him, as David is learning to answer correspondence as part of the course.
Parent of the Year Award
Sponsor: Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust
This award is for a parent or guardian who may have been there for you through difficult times or simply adds fun and laughter to your life.
Winner: Ann Garbutt
Ann has coped with some very difficult issues, but throughout this she remains strong and positive. Ann encourages all her boys to do their best - they are all footballers and play for Whinney Banks. Ann takes her children in all weathers to training sessions and has to walk most of the time, as she has no transport. The easy option would be to cancel their football practices and matches but she is dedicated to her children doing well in this sport.
Runner-up: Michelle Franklin
Michelle has a daughter with cerebral palsy who has been in hospital for the last six and a half months. She goes there every day to attend to her needs, then goes back to her family at home, looking after the needs of other young children as well. A lot of people would give up after what she has been through but not Michelle, she is a strong person. She gives every minute of the day and often doesn’t have time to do anything for herself.
Community Champion Award
Sponsor: Middlesbrough Council’s Streetscene Services
This award recognises an individual who has contributed to the work and development of West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust and is involved in a group or activity that is helping to make a difference to the lives of residents from the area.
Winner: Mavis Arnold
Mavis is involved in a wide variety of activities in West Middlesbrough and she is also a WMNT Board member. She is part of a friendship group, Walkers & Strollers and Over 50s Swimming Group and plays an integral part in the groups. Mavis’ work on the WMNT Board also takes up a lot of time. Mavis is always cheerful and supportive of whatever is happening – she is very enthusiastic about West Middlesbrough and works very hard.
Peter McComb
Peter runs the West Middlesbrough Shopping Group. He organises transport, promotes the group and organises other outings. Many of these residents would not otherwise get out for their shopping or for other trips. Peter helps around 30 residents at any one time, although many more have benefited in the past. He gives his time as and when needed and if he organises additional trips, more time is put in.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Joe Lynch
Joe was a valued and respected member of the community and was such for a number of years. His contribution to the community involved working with young people of all ages. This was done through youth work and through his judo classes. The work Joe did made a dramatic difference to a number of young people. By involving them in youth work or in his judo classes, he was able to guide them towards a better life. Joe was approachable to everyone, no matter who or how old they were. Most of Joe’s work in the community has gone unrecognised – recognition was something Joe never looked for.