Community heroes celebrated at Gateshead Awards
Inspiring residents and organisations, who dedicate their time to helping others in Gateshead to thrive, have been recognised for their amazing contribution at the annual Gateshead Awards.
The awards organised by Gateshead Council, in partnership with Agilico, Bloom, Gateshead College, Gateshead Football Club, Komatsu UK, Little Movers, the Metrocentre and Northgate Vehicle Hire, recognise the dedication of people across the borough who make a difference within their local communities.
Mike Barker, Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance said: "We know that, across Gateshead, we have incredible people doing incredible things. Our awards give us the opportunity to recognise those nominated for the huge difference they make to the lives of others and to thank them for everything they do to help Gateshead to thrive. All of our nominees are truly inspirational and as always it is a privilege to be part of this event. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award."
Two young people led the way at the awards. Lexi Walton, a fantastic role model in basketball, who is not only part of the U16s academy but is also helping to inspire younger girls in the sport, won the Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever of the Year. Savannah Richardson, the youngest winner of the night at just nine years old, was awarded Young Achiever having raised money to buy selection boxes and Easter eggs to donate to the local foodbank and to buy toys to donate to Cash for Kids.
Other individuals recognised for their efforts were:
- Connor Peebles, awarded Volunteer of the Year, having raised money for numerous charities in his local community and coaching at his local boxing club.
- Elisha Bamborough, who cares for her daughter born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, to enable her to live at home whilst having lived through the anxiety of 68 operations and transplants received Carer of the Year.
- Phil Thompson was successful in the Armed Forces in the Community category for the ongoing work he does in managing a 35 bedroom veteran specific supported accommodation scheme which benefits veterans from Gateshead and across the north east.
The awards also recognised organisations for the amazing work they do across Gateshead including the Daisy Chain Project, a pioneering social enterprise which won Business in the Community Award having opened one of the country's largest charity stores on Team Valley, diverting over 200,000 items from landfill and created over 20 jobs and volunteering/work experience opportunities for neurodivergent adults.
Other organisations included:
- FACT Cancer Support, which won Voluntary Organisation of the Year, for the invaluable support they give to people affected by cancer including the new facility in Wrekenton which provides more services to the local community and is creating a fantastic community hub where people feel cared for.
- Night Choir, established by The Glasshouse, brought together nearly 300 singers of all abilities to work together to create a performance for the BBC Proms received the Music Group of the Year award. Due to its success this type of mass participation event will be a permanent fixture in The Glasshouse programme
- Rutherford AFC won Sports Club of the Year for the inclusivity of the club, providing a warm welcome to everyone and celebrating diversity. A weekly disability session has been introduced for young people at the club which gives them and their parents the perfect opportunity to meet up.
- Dingy Butterflies were awarded the Tackling Climate Change award having engaged communities in the Bees of Bensham, recording native bee species, surveying habitats and rescuing seeds for replanting. They continue to educate communities on climate change and are working to improve habitats for pollinators. Projects include water saving, plant and bee identification, food growing and preservation.
The lifetime achievement category recognised three people who have dedicated over 132 years to local communities in Gateshead. Ann Marshall, a Founder Member of the Birtley St Joseph's "Young Mother's Guild" since 1972, is also a volunteer for Macmillan Cancer Support, helped out with the Brownies for many years and supports St Joseph's Catholic Church in Birtley. Hazel Rayson's dance school has encouraged young people to have a love of dance for nearly 60 years. Her passion has meant hundreds of children have been given the opportunity to perform, including at charity events. Malcolm Brown, a school governor for over 20 years who has helped Swalwell Primary School achieve a 'Good' rating from OFSTED, has fostered 53 children along with his wife.
Inspiring residents and organisations, who dedicate their time to helping others in Gateshead to thrive, have been recognised for their amazing contribution at the annual Gateshead Awards.
The awards organised by Gateshead Council, in partnership with Agilico, Bloom, Gateshead College, Gateshead Football Club, Komatsu UK, Little Movers, the Metrocentre and Northgate Vehicle Hire, recognise the dedication of people across the borough who make a difference within their local communities.
Mike Barker, Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance said: "We know that, across Gateshead, we have incredible people doing incredible things. Our awards give us the opportunity to recognise those nominated for the huge difference they make to the lives of others and to thank them for everything they do to help Gateshead to thrive. All of our nominees are truly inspirational and as always it is a privilege to be part of this event. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for an award."
Two young people led the way at the awards. Lexi Walton, a fantastic role model in basketball, who is not only part of the U16s academy but is also helping to inspire younger girls in the sport, won the Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever of the Year. Savannah Richardson, the youngest winner of the night at just nine years old, was awarded Young Achiever having raised money to buy selection boxes and Easter eggs to donate to the local foodbank and to buy toys to donate to Cash for Kids.
Other individuals recognised for their efforts were:
- Connor Peebles, awarded Volunteer of the Year, having raised money for numerous charities in his local community and coaching at his local boxing club.
- Elisha Bamborough, who cares for her daughter born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, to enable her to live at home whilst having lived through the anxiety of 68 operations and transplants received Carer of the Year.
- Phil Thompson was successful in the Armed Forces in the Community category for the ongoing work he does in managing a 35 bedroom veteran specific supported accommodation scheme which benefits veterans from Gateshead and across the north east.
The awards also recognised organisations for the amazing work they do across Gateshead including the Daisy Chain Project, a pioneering social enterprise which won Business in the Community Award having opened one of the country's largest charity stores on Team Valley, diverting over 200,000 items from landfill and created over 20 jobs and volunteering/work experience opportunities for neurodivergent adults.
Other organisations included:
- FACT Cancer Support, which won Voluntary Organisation of the Year, for the invaluable support they give to people affected by cancer including the new facility in Wrekenton which provides more services to the local community and is creating a fantastic community hub where people feel cared for.
- Night Choir, established by The Glasshouse, brought together nearly 300 singers of all abilities to work together to create a performance for the BBC Proms received the Music Group of the Year award. Due to its success this type of mass participation event will be a permanent fixture in The Glasshouse programme
- Rutherford AFC won Sports Club of the Year for the inclusivity of the club, providing a warm welcome to everyone and celebrating diversity. A weekly disability session has been introduced for young people at the club which gives them and their parents the perfect opportunity to meet up.
- Dingy Butterflies were awarded the Tackling Climate Change award having engaged communities in the Bees of Bensham, recording native bee species, surveying habitats and rescuing seeds for replanting. They continue to educate communities on climate change and are working to improve habitats for pollinators. Projects include water saving, plant and bee identification, food growing and preservation.
The lifetime achievement category recognised three people who have dedicated over 132 years to local communities in Gateshead. Ann Marshall, a Founder Member of the Birtley St Joseph's "Young Mother's Guild" since 1972, is also a volunteer for Macmillan Cancer Support, helped out with the Brownies for many years and supports St Joseph's Catholic Church in Birtley. Hazel Rayson's dance school has encouraged young people to have a love of dance for nearly 60 years. Her passion has meant hundreds of children have been given the opportunity to perform, including at charity events. Malcolm Brown, a school governor for over 20 years who has helped Swalwell Primary School achieve a 'Good' rating from OFSTED, has fostered 53 children along with his wife.
