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Babergh District Council today publishes the names and details of the 25 winners of its 2007 Community Achievement Awards. The scheme attracted a record-breaking number of nominations, making choosing the winners a real challenge for the judges.
Jill Barton, Corporate Support Officer at Babergh, said: “We were delighted with the 46 entries we received, but even more impressed at the quality of this year’s nominations.
“A new category, for voluntary or community groups that improve the quality of life in our district, received some particularly impressive nominations. The community spirit and commitment of nominees never fails to surprise us. The number of people who go out of their way to help others is humbling, and proves that everyone can play a part in Babergh’s success.”
Rex Thake, chairman of Babergh District Council, two parish council members from the east and west of the district, and two people under 18 joined Jill on the judging panel.
Award winners include 13-year-old Rosie Berrill of Uplands Middle School, Sudbury. She has dyspraxia, yet helps at the school’s Grapefruit Club for those pupils lacking confidence, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Gym Trail, which encourages younger students to take part in activities designed to develop their motor skills.
At the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Edwin Bowden-Peters, Holly Gilbert, Sarah Bullen and Jamie McMahon are leaders in the school’s Community Action Team. Between them, they have organised the RHS Optua games for people with learning disabilities, made recycling easier at the school, raised £30,000 for the RHS Tsunami Relief Fund, and visited local primary schools to help children with their reading.
There is a posthumous award for Rhona Damant of Great Waldingfield, who died last year after a long fight against breast cancer. The award, to be collected by her husband David, is for Rhona’s tireless work in raising awareness of the disease and for her inspirational fundraising – she raised more than £100,000 for cancer charities and local hospitals.
The volunteer receptionists at The Christopher Centre, Sudbury are also winners.
Lily Chaplin, John Chaplin, Audrey Wordman, Mary Caines, Jean Coe, Sue Everitt, Kath Leigh, Peter Read, Jennie Watkins, Muriel Wood and Diana Clifford are all aged between 50 and 80 and several have been with the Centre since it opened 11 years ago. The Centre supports more than 30 organisations, including the Alzheimers Society, by offering them affordable offices and meeting rooms.
Also making a difference is Christine Boatwright who, for the past three years, has been committed to setting up the Kernos Centre in Sudbury - offering counselling and psychotherapy to those at risk of suicide or self-harm. Dot Chapman has run the Burstall Village Shop tirelessly for the past 40 years as well as contributing to village life in numerous ways – from entertaining to fundraising. Colin Hurcombe of Capel St Mary has also done much for his village - including founding its first gymnastics/sports club and helping secure a graded junction and underpass on the A12 to improve safety.
A special celebration evening for Babergh’s winners takes place on March 7 at the Stoke by Nayland Club. The event will be compered by BBC Radio Suffolk’s Breakfast Show presenter, Mark Murphy. The awards will be presented by Robert Audley, Managing Director of Prolog, who sponsor the event and Rex Thake, Chairman of the Council.
More information on Community Achievement Awards 2007.
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