Past Community Awards
Community Grants & Awards
Community Awards 2019
Our third annual Community Awards were held on Thursday 21 November, hosted by the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield Cllr David Allan. We received a record number of nominations this year for the five awards, which celebrate, recognise and reward the work of volunteers across Sutton Coldfield. Congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up!
Good Citizen/Neighbour of the Year
Winner of Good Citizen/Neighbour of the Year is Lynn Jennings who spends much of her personal time volunteering with Ark Community Church making a positive difference to the lives of people in Mere Green. Lynn said:
“It was a complete surprise to receive the award. My love for what I do comes from wanting to see our community grow, bringing people together from different networks, for people to be able to support and love each other and for everyone to be included. We all love doing what we do and it’s a privilege to serve this community.”
Runner-up: Clare McVerry for her involvement in a number of volunteering events, the school PTA and her local neighbourhood watch.
Runner-up: Reg Banks for his passionate and tireless work to promote Neighbourhood Watch, Street Watch and Active Citizens.
Young Person of the Year
Winner of the Young Person of the Year is Dawn Peters for her role as a young leader of the 6th Sutton Coldfield Scouts and volunteer for Re-engage.
“I wasn’t really expecting to win the award at all, I thought one of the others were bound to get it. My mum was really happy when my name was announced and is really proud of me.”
Runner-up: Cormac Wade for started the brand-new Refill Local Scheme, which is designed to help local people find water on the go and prevent plastic pollution in Sutton Coldfield.
Runner-up: Missy Gillespie who has continuously made outstanding efforts to benefit the lives of students at Bishop Walsh School.
Volunteer of the Year
Winner of the Volunteer of the Year award is Jackie Benzecry who set up the Breast Friends Charity in 1995, to support those suffering with breast cancer and over the last 25 years has raised £1.6million. Jackie said:
“When I was taking early retirement, I thought I might be a library lady. Next thing I knew I had breast cancer and I was in hospital. The last 25 years have been so significant to me. I can’t explain how wonderful it is knowing how much I am helping other people. The reason I can do what I do is because of the support around me. All of the ladies in Breast Friends have such a very special bond, because everyone is coming from the same direction and we’re all breast cancer survivors. I’m not sorry for the way my life went, I have got so much out of it since. Being touched by cancer changes your whole perspective and that’s not always a bad thing. I can’t believe I am the winner of this award! It was a very emotional evening for me and a really lovely memory.
Runner-up: Roger Bunting who has volunteered at Our Place for five years, working hard behind the scenes to develop and improve their data management systems.
Runner-up: Mary Sutton who was a volunteer receptionist for Relate Sutton Coldfield for a total of 19 years.
Community Event of the Year
Winner of Community Event of Year is Carers United for their annual Carers Rights Day event at the United Reformed Church. Designed just for carers, the event offers advice and support and is an opportunity for pampering, lunch and entertainment.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award and totally shocked. It is nice to get some recognition for this valuable event which has been held in Sutton Coldfield for over 15 years. Carers are unrecognised and under-valued, so it is important for them to be given the opportunity to know their rights and find out what support they are entitled to. This event brings together a range of organisations in a one-stop shop for the benefit of Carers.”
Runner-up: Sutton Coldfield Senior Showcase which is a free event designed to signpost activities/services for those of post retirement age.
Runner-up: Sleep Easy event organised by YMCA Sutton Coldfield which involved 125 residents and community groups sleeping outdoors to raise funds and awareness to prevent homelessness for young people.
Community Group of the Year
Winner of Community Group of the Year is CPR Counts, set up by Malcolm Robinson whose life was saved by a passing motorist after having a cardiac arrest. The small and dedicated team has given free two-hour life-saving training to over 1,000 residents in Sutton Coldfield. Malcolm said.
“My life has completely changed since I had my cardiac arrest. Although I’ve officially retired, CPR Counts is now a full-time job but I feel so lucky to be alive and to be able to give something back to the community. We are feeling highly honoured and proud to receive this award and would like to thank all the many people who’ve helped us along the way to keep our ‘show on the road’. We are very grateful also to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust in Walmley that provides us with sponsorship for room rental and marketing.”
Runner-up: Four Oaks Milk Bar, a breast feeding support group but also a social group for parents to meet other parents, make friends and reduce the risk of post-natal depression.
Runner-up: Friends of Sutton Park Association for their work in looking after Sutton Park and in particular the conservation works and guided walks they carry out on a voluntary basis.
