Eden Local Heroes Awards
Recognising people, who make Eden a better place to live, work and visit
The winners of the Eden Local Heroes Community Award Scheme were announced today (Friday 8 April) at a Special Civic Reception at the Stoneybeck Inn near Penrith. Seven awards were presented to individuals and groups who have made a positive contribution to their local community.
These included two Outstanding Achievement Awards, one of which were presented to the BBC’s Blue Presenter, Helen Skelton for her amazing feats raising money for Comic Relief and Sports Relief and the other to Leslie Dowson for his charity fundraising activities during the past 60 years.
The Local Heroes Awards were established by Eden District Council and The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald. The five award categories have been judged by a panel made up of:
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The Chairman of Eden District Council, Councillor Joan Raine
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Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Editor, Colin Maughan
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Eden District Council Interim Chief Executive, Robin Hooper
The 2011 Local Heroes Award Winners are:
Chairman’s Award - For the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the District over a long period of time.
Winner - Joan Johnstone – Board Member Eden Housing Association - Joan has been a Board Member of Eden Housing Association since September 1997, and Chairman for the past three years. Joan has also served as Chair and a Member of Kirkby Stephen Town Council and has had an active part in a range of local initiatives. In the words of Eden Housing Association’s Chief Executive: “Joan has worked modestly, quietly and unselfishly. She epitomises community spirit and really understand people’s needs.”
Runner up - Margaret Lightburn - Penrith Show
Business Award - Outstanding contribution by an individual or business to the well-being of the District.
Winner - The Lakes Free Range Egg Company - Over the past 13 years the company has grown in strength and stature with a simple objective to supply profitably free range eggs to the highest standard of welfare and environmental sustainability. The Company has recently opened the UK’s first carbon neutral, sustainable egg packing operation. Its stance on having sustainability at the heart of their business model has seen companies such as McDonalds and Morrisons being supplied with eggs from the company’s base at Stanton, near Penrith.
Runner up - Cumbria Classic Coaches
Young People’s Award - For the outstanding contribution made by a young person or group who are 18 years or under.
Winner - Oliver McGeorge – Oliver is a 14 years old with an ambition to be a top chef. He is working hard on his culinary skills to achieve this and has already won the title of Kendal College’s Young Chef of the year. He is so determined to become a chef he has already bagged himself a part-time job working in the kitchens of the renowned Rampsbeck Country House Hotel.
Runner Up - Simon Wright - Friday Night Kickabout Project, Penrith
Community Award - For the outstanding initiative/project by a group or individual in their local area/community.
Winner - Lyvennet Community Trust – This has brought together people from all walks of life, who are working together to realise the community’ aspiration for a social and affordable housing scheme. They have shown commitment and determination to overcome bureaucracy and deliver an affordable and social housing project on a former brownfield for people wishing to remain and live in Crosby Ravensworth.
Runner up - Valerie Allen - Penrith Rainbow Club
Sport/Cultural Award - Outstanding contribution by an individual or team to the sporting or arts profile/success of the District.
Winner - Ben Williamson - Football coach, Penrith - Ben coaches football and has been involved with Penrith for many years. He brings children from all different schools together. He encourages all the children no matter what their ability is and put in lots of hours with the two teams. He has taught children to respect each other as well as adults.
Runner up - Andrew Collin - Nunwick Cricket Team
Outstanding Achievement awards presented to:
Helen Skelton – BBC Blue Peter presenter - Helen Skelton has shown tremendous bravery and endurance to take on some amazing challenges in aid of Sports Relief and Comic Relief during the past two years. This year for Comic Relief, Helen walked a 150 metre tightrope between the chimneys of Battersea Power Station. The Red Nose Day challenge, delayed by 40 minutes because of high winds, took her to heights of 66m (216ft).
In 2010 in aid of Sports Relief, Helen set two world records by solo kayaking on the Amazon. She has now officially completed the longest solo journey by kayak and the longest distance in a kayak in 24 hours by a woman. Altogether, Helen spent six challenging weeks on the Amazon River, battling on despite heat exhaustion, sea sickness, aching limbs, tarantula encounters, a sunken support boat and a splintered kayak, to reach her incredible 2,010-mile target.
Leslie Dowson – For the past 60 years Leslie has raised an enormous amount of money for charity and given pleasure to many people by organising concerts, running musical workshops and visiting care homes.
Decisions by the Local Heroes Awards Judges are final; no correspondence will be entered into. Eden District Councillors and officers are not eligible to be nominated for Local Heroes Awards. Past winners of Local Heroes Awards cannot be nominated again in the same category of entry.
For more information about Eden District Council visit www.eden.gov.uk or at www.twitter.com/edencouncil
Read the rules and nomination criteria for the Eden Local Heroes Awards.
2010 Eden Local Heroes Award Winners
Read more about the 2010 Eden Local Heroes Award winners.
