Community-minded residents and groups have been honoured for their contribution to society at the 2022 Erewash Mayor's Awards.
This year’s awards attracted an unprecedented number of nominations, giving the judging panel a difficult task to perform. A virtual meeting of the panel, which included councillors and local community representatives, was held last month when members looked for evidence of special qualities and service beyond simply being a ‘good neighbour’.
Ten caring residents and representatives of one local group were presented with their awards by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Donna Briggs, at Long Eaton Town Hall yesterday. (Thursday 5 May)
Councillor Donna Briggs, the Mayor of Erewash, said: “Presenting the awards to pay tribute to people in this borough who give so much to our communities was such an honour for me and one of the happy memories I shall keep from my term in office.
“It has been a privilege to have met many volunteers throughout the year and I would like to express my gratitude to all those who work so selflessly in our borough. Thank you, too, to those who took the time to send in their nominations for this year’s Awards.
“2022 saw an unprecedented number of nominations for the Mayor's award and I'd like to thank the members of the panel who were tasked the very difficult job of judging the finalists”
The successful recipients of a Mayor’s Award for the 2021/22 civic year are:
Aaron Bailey of Ilkeston
Aaron has volunteered at the Erewash Museum for over a year, balancing his commitments with college and home to dedicate a day of his time once or twice a week. Nothing is too much trouble and it is wonderful to see a young person take up the mantle of preserving and protecting our local history and be willing to offer so much time and energy to the museum. He is a valued member of the volunteer team without which, the museum could not deliver as much as it does to the local community.
Julie Barker of Long Eaton
Julie started FibroActive in 2016, a support group for sufferers of fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She works very hard to bring people together to improve their health and wellbeing with information about the syndromes and how to manage symptoms. She also teaches Otago, tai chi and qigong both for the group and the wider community to help prevent trips and falls. The group was successful in being presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2021.
Alan Clarke of Sandiacre
Alan, although working full time, gives countless hours to helping Sandiacre Town Football Club to repay the kindness shown to him while playing as a child and young adult. He has run a U10s team and has been on the committee for many years. Alan marks out and cuts the pitches, washes kits and runs fundraising events, books all the pitches for the 40 teams at the Club and carries out DIY jobs around the building. He is known as the ‘Club Champion’ for always being available to have a chat with people who may be dealing with mental health issues.
Adrian Elton of Ilkeston
Adrian, who works full time, has gone above and beyond for local charities particularly ‘Everyone Eats’ which helps hundreds of people feed their families in the wake of crisis. He has built hundreds of items from wood, including football dug outs for Stanton Ilkeston FC and benches, gazebos, planters and more. He has also raised money for the Royal British Legion and is involved with other groups and societies, including Ilkeston Football Club. He is always first to offer to help as he is so proud of his community.
Scott Fletcher of Ilkeston
Scott was nominated for all his voluntary work and commitment to football in the local community. He is always willing to help a good cause and recently has been collecting football boots for children who cannot afford to buy their own boots. In addition to working full time, being particularly busy during the pandemic, he also helps ‘Everyone Eats’ in lots of way too. Scott represents the best of Erewash, hardworking, caring and committed to helping in the community.
Anthony Ford of Sandiacre
Anthony was nominated by several residents as he is considered a pillar of the community of Sandiacre. He set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and uses the Methodist Church for a sit and natter between friends and strangers as well as organising a foodbank using unwanted food from the local supermarkets, thus reducing food waste and landfill. He also helps people who are not computer savvy on how to use IT equipment.
Evie Hartley of Ilkeston
Evie is described as being amazing and inspiring. She is half way through two years of chemotherapy due to a brain tumour which has resulted in many complications - but despite this she remains positive, kind and helpful. Evie loves cycling and has raised over £50,000 for the charity ‘Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group’. She is a shining example to stay positive.
Sandra Kimbley of Ilkeston
Sandra gives so much time to help others in the community. She has been an invaluable member of Erewash Voluntary Action, volunteering as a steward at the Covid clinics in Ilkeston, a volunteer for Timeswap, which is run by Derbyshire County Council, a member of the Peer Support Group via Rethink Mental Health Derbyshire, a Healthwatch volunteer, fundraiser for Children with Cancer and Breast Cancer, a patient representative at both QMC and Nottingham City Hospitals. During the lockdowns, she was available to those who needed assistance.
David Pinney of Sandiacre
David is one of the founder members of the Friends of Hayworth Road Park and organiser of many working parties including planting bulbs, wildflower beds, trees and bushes as well as litter picking - always trying to keep the local area clean and tidy for the benefit of local residents. He is Sandiacre’s volunteer tree warden and worked with the Sandiacre Heritage Group to produce the Sandiacre Historical Trail leaflet. He also assists with the Long Eaton District Scouts and is editor of the Long Eaton and District U3A newsletter and walk leader around local nature reserves.
Susan Severn of Ilkeston
Susan’s nominator says that she is a great asset to our community and does a variety of voluntary work including leading two local football teams, one for teenagers and one for younger children - called 'Pups'. She set up a project to collect second hand football boots which are refurbished and used again. Additionally she organises local charity matches and has raised funds for Maggie's Cancer Treatment Centre and the local charity in West Hallam for a young man who sadly took his own life. She also volunteers at a school and with the local 'Wild Bears' forest school in Kirk Hallam for young children.
Coaches of the Sandiacre Town Tornadoes Under 8 Football Team
Coaches Ben Limbrick, Dan Taylor and Adrian Taylor, ensure that the team follows the grassroots code of conduct and allows every child an opportunity to play. They follow the ‘every child matters’ rule and allows children to flourish under their coaching and to be the best version of themselves. They include everyone and have a diverse team which includes children with disabilities and those in care.