Finalists revealed for NK Community Champions Awards

Some of the best examples of community volunteering will be celebrated through the NK Community Champion Awards.

Judges have whittled down around 100 nominations across ten categories to 30 finalists, who are all learning of their place this week.

Every year North Kesteven District Council calls for people to nominate those who work quietly, tirelessly and selflessly.

All of the finalists, their guests and nominators have been invited to a celebration evening on Wednesday, October 9 at the International Bomber Command Centre.

Councillor Richard Wright, leader of the district council, will host the evening in conjunction with BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter Rod Whiting.

Cllr Wright said: “These are the unsung heroes of our communities who, through their selfless motivation and quiet inspiration make an enormous difference within our District and these awards are a small but heartfelt thank you on behalf of the District for that.”

Good Neighbour

• Maggie John, Washingborough; Described as one of the most selfless, compassionate people ever met, Maggie goes out of her way to support others
• Lloyd D’Arcy, Branston; Regardless of his own health conditions, Lloyd does anything to help other residents in his retirement living complex
• Graham Fuller, Cranwell; Despite having a full-time job and family of his own, Graham spent evenings and weekends rectifying his neighbours garden after work that should have been carried out professionally was left in a mess

Community Business

• Nikki Harris, TFM Country Store, Whisby: TFM Country Store have supported many local causes, in particular, Bluebell Pond in Skellingthorpe
• Ringrose Law, Sleaford; In the last 12 months the firm has raised money for Sleaford Community Larder, Sleaford Dementia Group and supported various events across the town
• Lindum Group, North Hykeham; Without hesitation after being approached by the local Community Beat Manager Lindum Group repaired a local residents fence after repeatedly being the victims of criminal damage

Community Spirit

• Betty Bland, Washingborough; Now in her 91st year, Betty has given over 40 years continuous service to the community
• Marion & Len Seviour, Skellingthorpe; Marion and Len have been at the heart of the community in Skellingthorpe for many years
• Andrew Brewer, Beckingham; He is the driving force behind many community activities from the village fete day to championing the opening of a social club following the closure of the village pub

Contribution to Arts and Culture

• Bracebridge Heath Community Library Volunteers: For keeping open and maintaining a much-loved service in the community
• Violet Hill, Sleaford: For her dedication to music spanning a period of almost 30 years
• Kei Bailey, Heckington: Kei has a great passion for the arts and inspiring young people

Young Achiever

• Charlotte Ingram, Sleaford: At the age of 18 Charlotte set up a brand-new Girlguiding Rainbows unit
• Logan Somers, Bracebridge Heath: Whilst living with learning difficulties Logan has overcome and developed a real skill in gymnastics
• Joseph Trofer-Cook, Walcott: A 6-year-old, shy young man who has overcome his struggles through gardening

Contribution to Health and Wellbeing

• Jane Barringer, Welbourn: Jane coordinates tea parties every month for ‘Contact the Elderly’ – a non-profit organisation
• Gina Macphie, Sleaford; Gina set up Lincolnshire’s first Dance for Parkinson’s Group
• Angela Callaghan, Skellingthorpe; Angela provides led bike rides for the local and wider community through the HSBC Breeze and Let’s Ride Team

Longstanding contribution

• Paul Boucher, Waddington; Paul is the founder and director of the Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative based in Waddington providing a range of services to Travellers in Lincolnshire
• Violet Hill, Sleaford; Over the past 22 years Violet has been the leading light of the Sleaford Concert Band
• Carol Brinkworth, Sleaford; Carol has voluntarily taught swimming for Sleaford Swimming Club for 23 years

Contribution to Better Environment

• Leadenham Litter Picking Group; Made up of 12 volunteers the group litter pick in the area once a month
• Ian Callaghan, Skellingthorpe; Ian has given up a phenomenal amount of his time and resources to create Bluebell Pond on a piece of waste land alongside the cycle track in Skellingthorpe
• Anthea Ashmore, Sleaford; For more than 20 years Anthea has been the secretary for the Sleaford Area Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Contribution to Sport

• Joy O’Neill, North Hykeham; Joy has dedicated her life to sport getting involved in everything from Judo to Football, but more recently she has been involved in the Men’s and Women’s Walking Football, Walking Netball and an Over 50’s Mixed Sports Group
• Stephen Morgon, Sleaford; Stephen founded the current walking football group Sleaford Academicals
• Sleaford Striders AC; Having been established for over 35 years the club has helped thousands of people from the age of 6 upwards get involved in and enjoying running

Community Safety

• Jem Green, The Source Sleaford; Jem runs the Street Pastors, a group of volunteers who at weekends throughout the year between 10.30pm and 2am provide practical help and support to people in the town centre after a night out
• Kenneth Yates, North Hykeham; Kenneth has staffed the Town Enquiry Office for around 20 years on a voluntary basis, dealing with members of the public and their queries when they attend the station
• Rod Munroe, New Life Church, Sleaford; The New Life Church does so much for Sleaford providing a community larder for those in need, The Junction, a prison support service and a youth club