West Berkshire residents recognised in Community Champion Awards

Fundraisers, volunteers and community groups included in winners

TWO junior fundraisers, a Scout leader and a school governor have all been recognised as Community Champions at a recent awards ceremony.

These inspirational residents were invited to a special event at the West Berkshire Council Offices in Market Street last Thursday to mark their contribution to the community.

A judging panel of independent representatives met in November to decide on the winners of the Pat Eastop Junior Citizen Award, the Community Group of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

West Berkshire Council chairman, Peter Argyle, presented the winners with their certificates and prizes.

At the ceremony, Mr Argyle praised all the nominees, explaining that in two of the categories the standard of nominations was so high that the panel gave out two awards.

The Junior Citizen Award went to 12-year-old Mollie Ballard, from Newbury, and Holly George, aged 13 from Beedon.

Mollie was nominated after tirelessly campaigning to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease after she was herself diagnosed with the conditions in September 2014.

While Holly, who has a life-limiting illness, has managed to raise more than £14,000 through her online ‘Hugs for Holly’ campaign.

Mollie told the Newbury Weekly News how pleased she was with the award, while her mother Kerri added: “We’re so proud of her.

“She’s had a tough year but she’s done really well.”

Holly, who has set herself a target of £1m through her virtual campaign, said: “I’m very proud. I’ll keep going until I reach the target.”

The Community Group of the Year was awarded to bereavement support group Cruse and also to eight Bells for Mental Health.

Scout leader David Elliott was named Volunteer of the Year while Graham Bartlett was also highly commended in this category for his work with Thatcham Tornadoes Football Club.

After receiving the award Mr Elliott said: “I’m very proud. But I’m just the head part of a team of volunteers that work so hard and contribute their time and effort, so it’s really for them as well.

“The fundraising is continual. We just couldn’t run without it, whether that’s fundraising in general or fundraising for the Scout hut.

“I do it because I enjoy it and it’s as much fun now as it was 18 years ago.”

The lifetime achievement award was given to David Hunt after 40 years of service on the board of governors at Welford and Wickham Primary School.

Mr Hunt, who is also chairman of the parish council, paid tribute to the staff at the school during his time as a governor adding: “I’m very honoured.

“It’s amazing going back over the years, seeing the changes that have been made.

“I joined the board of governors in 1972 before becoming chair of governors, and we have had some wonderful head teachers in that time.

“I’ve now stepped down from the board of governors, but I’m very much still active as chairman of the parish council.

“In a way it has made things easier as the two would often conflict.”