The winners of the 2022 Good Citizens Awards were presented with their awards at the Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday 22 June by leader Cllr Martin Hill OBE and chairman Cllr Alison Austin.
The awards were created to recognise the extraordinary work that so many volunteers do throughout Lincolnshire and there are four categories:
• Individual
• Young Citizen
• Community Group
• Pair or Couple
Commenting on the winners of the awards, Cllr Hill said: “I am proud to say that our county has a great tradition of volunteering, so, with that in mind, the county council created the Good Citizens Awards to give us the opportunity to recognise our own unsung heroes.
“This year’s winners are truly inspirational and make a huge difference to their communities through their unstinting commitment.”
Cllr Austin added: “The winners were chosen from a host of nominations covering all corners of the county and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to tell us about the unsung heroes from their communities.”
Individual: Nigel Peart
Nigel Peart is truly a pillar of the local community. His efforts benefit his home village of Tattershall and beyond, including Louth and Boston.
As a member of Coningsby and Tattershall Lions, Nigel has been involved with:
• marshalling at Louth Hospital
• prescription collection
• food shopping for vulnerable people
• making food parcels for children during school holidays
• and delivering food to vulnerable households.
He is the Treasurer and Booking Agent for Tattershall Village Hall committee
and a driver for Louth Voluntary Car Service taking clients to and from appointments.
In 2020 he became a Walk for Health leader guiding those with health issues on short walks once a week.
In January, Nigel became a volunteer at Boston Pilgrim Hospital helping patients on wards, guiding patients to where they need to be and carrying out office support.
He was nominated by his fellow Coningsby Walk for Health group leader Sara Cook, said: “He does everything with such humility and compassion. He enjoys helping others in his own unassuming, gentle way.”
Young citizen: Finley Middlebrook
11 year-old Finley decided to grow his hair so that it could be cut to make wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.
Last summer he donated a 17inch length of hair to the Little Princess Trust, a national charity specialising in supporting young people aged up to 24 by providing natural hair wigs.
Since then, Finley has decided he would like to support a local charity The Brotherhood Project.
This organisation is based on our east coast which supports men’s mental health. Through promotions on social media, Finley raised £405 for the cause.
His fundraising activities have continued, and he has gone on to become a youth ambassador for The Brotherhood Project UK, attending group meetings.
He is supported by his dad Shaun, and mum Dee, who are really proud of what their son has achieved.
They explained: “He brightens up the day with his beaming smile and his pleasant attitude towards life. He likes talking to the members and they really appreciate his support.”
Community Group: R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Extra Activities for Children)
More than 1,000 vulnerable children in the Gainsborough area have been supported with their emotional wellbeing thanks to the superb endeavours of R.E.A.C.H. formed by retired teacher Sheila Jennings and her friends.
When the pandemic began, Shelia felt strongly about doing something to help her local community.
So R.E.A.C.H. was formed with the aim of working with local schools to provide craft supplies to primary-aged children who were unlikely to be able to access them at home. Now things are returning to normality, their work continues to grow.
The group sources donations from local and national businesses and individuals such as craft sets. colouring books, paints, paper, pens, pencils, board games and books, and liaises closely with schools to ensure they benefit those most in need.
R.E.A.C.H. is now building on its initial success and welcomes sponsorship from people and organisations who would like to get involved.
“Making a difference to the lives of local children at a difficult and confusing time and bringing colour into a dark world,” is how Jess McGuire described the winners of our community group category.
Couple/Pair: David and Ann Ingle
When the pandemic struck, kind-hearted couple David and Ann Ingle were at the centre of the local Covid response. Ann is chair of Gedney Hill and District Memorial Hall, having been integral to the fundraising effort which saw it rebuilt in 2001, while David has been a committee member for 20 years.
During the pandemic, the hall became the focal point for the local community, with the couple being central to setting up support to ensure local people didn’t go without.
They arranged a drive thru at the car park where people who struggled to get to a supermarket could buy fresh fruit and vegetable boxes.
They also found a mobile operator to set up a fresh pizza takeaway and they were instrumental in setting up Sunday lunch deliveries free to those who were struggling, assisted by a willing band of village volunteers.
Their efforts have seen the installation of new catering equipment which has enabled the hall to provide Sunday lunches during the winter.
Ann is part of Gedney Hill Community Group, which organises the annual village fun day and Remembrance Day commemorations.
They are both involved with Holy Trinity Church where Ann is a licenced lay minister and David is churchwarden. He also helps maintain the building and the grounds of both this church and St Polycarp’s Holbeach Drove.
David is an active volunteer and trustee of Holbeach Community Larder.
“Ann and David are a couple who exemplify public service. It is difficult to imagine a couple who give more of their time to the community,” said fellow volunteer Neil Watson.
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