The Lincolnite has met many inspirational people throughout the course of 2018, from the women making waves in the local Lincoln arts scene, to runner Thomas Dunning who raises mental health awareness. Here’s a round-up of all the incredible people we’ve spoken to over the past year and another chance for you to read their story.
Debbie Grant
Lincoln Holiday Retreat owner Debbie Grant. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The former paramedic spoke to the The Lincolnite about her cosy retreat in Lincoln that was about to feature on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed. Debbie established her holiday lodge named the Lincoln Holiday Retreat just over a year and a half ago, after spending 33 years as a paramedic for the NHS. Debbie did Lincoln proud as the runner-up in Four in a Bed.
Thomas Dunning Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite
Having battled with mental health problems since the loss of his brother in 2009, Thomas started running as a coping mechanism. Thomas went from 23 to 15 stone in less than a year, and now runs three times a day.
To help raise awareness of mental health issues, Thomas set up a blog for people in need to share experiences and ask for advice. When The Lincolnite spoke to Thomas, he had already signed up for the Dublin and Liverpool marathons and had recently taken part in a number of charity events including work for American charity 5k Her.
Back in June The Lincolnite spoke to Lincoln strongman Dave Johnson as he prepared to pull a double decker bus at the St Mark’s Shopping Centre in Lincoln for charity.
Dave took on the challenge not only to raise money for cancer charities in memory of his late friend Mark Browne, he also used the opportunity to speak out against bullying and online abuse having once been a victim of bullying himself.
When the ‘Beast from the East’ brought the UK to a standstill back in March, two sisters from Lincoln were out battling the elements, delivering supplies to elderly neighbours and clearing their pathways.
For their work, Lincolnshire Police awarded Karly (8) and Makayla (10) with a ‘Snow Heroes’ award. The pair then took on a muddy run at the Lincolnshire Showground with the hope of raising £500 for cancer research in memory of their Grandma Coggan.
Sarah Hughes (left) and Gemma Baker (right) at Gemma’s house i.e the Women in the Arts HQ
The Lincolnite spoke to Gemma Baker and Sarah Hughes, founders of Women in the Arts (WITA), about how they managed to set up a thriving artist network all about supporting female creatives living and working in Lincoln.
Founded in February this year, the pair host meet and greets, talent showcases and a monthly Sarah’s sessions aimed at providing a platform for new female local talent.
When Andy suffered a head injury in 1994, doctors told him he was lucky to be alive. For two decades, Andy has suffered with constant headaches, chronic fatigue, epilepsy and short-term memory loss.
Andy was determined to build something positive from his experience. When The Lincolnite spoke to Andy, he was trying to raise awareness about the challenges of living life with an ‘invisible disability’ by taking on a marathon, and encouraging people to do it with him.
Lincoln’s most famous street musician hit The Lincolnite headlines this year for his efforts to bring musical instruments for children in over 40 schools in Jamaica.
Phil’s social media campaign, called Give a Child a Guitar, asks the people of Lincoln to donate any unwanted musical instruments for the children of Jamaica. Phil hopes to make the trip to Jamaica in 2019 to deliver the donations to the chosen schools in the district of Trelawney in Jamaica.
Lincoln County Hospital’s longest serving nurse Gill Rodgers shared her experiences of nursing past and present as well as her hopes for the future with The Lincolnite in July, having served in the NHS in Lincoln for over 50 years.
General Secretary of the Lincs Indian Society Shibina Mathews. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
In June this year, The Lincolnite spoke to Shibina who is General Secretary of the Lincs Indian Society, founded five years ago. Starting as a formal non-for-profit group, the society is now made up of 72 families as well as a growing number of non-registered participants across Lincolnshire.
In the interview, Shibina discussed the importance for Indian families to pass on their heritage to their children. The aim of the society is to unite communities of all backgrounds to celebrate Indian culture, and to enjoy their countries’ food, dance and traditions.
Charity worker Chris Lanoix chatting with Eddie. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
In November, The Lincolnite spoke to Eddie, a recovering heroin addict coming to the end of his life living on the streets. With the help of homeless support groups in Lincoln, Eddie was able to get off the streets and is currently a Big Issue seller on Sincil Street.
Erik is the learning officer for the heritage service at Lincolnshire County Council and can also be found sharing his infectious enthusiasm for history on one of his many talks at Lincoln Castle and The Collection.
Erik has a passion for history like no other and when we spoke to him in August, he was celebrating the launch of his book Warfare, Raiding and Defence in Early Medieval Britain.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.
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