A TRUSTEE of a local charity and a 15-year-old who works with autistic children are the winners of this year’s Newbury Town Civic Awards.
John Austin, aged 80, has supported the Community Furniture Project since it started more than 10 years ago as a volunteer and trustee.
He was presented with the award by Newbury mayor Kuldip Singh Kang, at the annual town meeting, at the Town Hall, on Monday.
Fifteen-year-old Keryn Osterritter, a pupil at Park House School, Newbury, won the Young Persons Civic Award, which is sponsored by Newbury company, Swift Couriers, for her voluntary work at two Newbury youth clubs for autistic children.
The awards were judged by the managing director of the Swift Group, Adrian Smith; advertising sales manager for Newbury News Limited, John Hampson; Mr Singh Kang; Newbury’s junior mayor, Leon Larkings and Newbury's deputy junior mayor Nell Snuggs.
Eight people were nominated for the civic award and five were nominated for the young persons civic award.
Keryn, who volunteers for around four hours a week during term-time and also for activity sessions during summer holidays, began helping at the Spectrum Club, based at Speenhamland Primary School, to complete her Duke of Edinburgh award, but has continued well beyond that and also volunteered with the new ASD Oasis youth club based at the Riverside Community Centre, for children aged 13 to 18.
Keryn said: “I am really shocked, I wasn’t expecting it at all.
“It is a great surprise and honour and I am very proud.”
Mr Smith said: “To pick between all the nominations was very difficult as they were all focussed on the community, but Keryn just had that little bit extra.”
Mr Austin, who started by driving the original van for the Community Furniture Project, collecting and delivering furniture, now carries out electrical testing on equipment and regularly volunteers for the service while also bringing his wisdom to the board of trustees.
He too said that he was surprised to win but was a “very proud man” and pleased that this would help raise awareness of the furniture project.
He said: “We have been referred to as unsung heroes, but we really enjoy what we do and I don’t mind being unsung.
“I feel very honoured and winning this, I am bound to feel rather proud.”

Nominees for the Newbury Town Civic Award 2010:

- Sian Cook – Founder of and fundraiser for local Swings and Smiles charity for disabled youngsters.

- Flt Lt Simon Cragg – Commanding officer for 211 (Newbury) Squadron, Air Training Corps, described as an inspiring leader.

- Fred Davison – Secretary of West Berkshire Neurological Alliance

- Roger and Edwin Vogel – Members of the Boys Brigade at Newbury Baptist Church, both brass instrument players with the town band, Watership Brass.

- Claire Barnes (Highly commended) – Volunteer with Newbury and District MS Society

- Carol Wright (Highly commended) – Volunteer with the West Berkshire Alzheimer’s Society.

- John Austin (Winner) – Volunteer with the Community Furniture Project

Nominees for the Newbury Town Young Persons Civic Award 2010:

- Sarah Jackson – Volunteer with the Guide Association

- Amelia Painter – One-to-one carer with Newbury Mencap play schemes and after school clubs.

- Scott Taylor – Leader for the 2nd Newbury Cub pack.

- Karina Lang – Volunteer at Mencap Afterschool Club, Newbury

- Keryn Osterritter (Winner) –- Volunteer at the Spectrum and Oasis youth clubs for autistic children.