PEOPLE who selflessly dedicate their time and expertise to others were yesterday (6 April) honoured by the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Ian Dalgarno at the annual Civic Awards ceremony.
This is the fifth year Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Civic Awards have been held to recognise the tireless work local people and organisations have done to make a real and positive difference to their communities.
The Mayor, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, who presented the winners with their awards at the Council’s Annual Meeting at Billingham Forum, said: “It’s very inspiring to meet such dedicated people who freely give their time and energy to make their communities, and the Borough as a whole, a better place. I’m delighted to honour all of the winners and say thank you on behalf of all the residents of Stockton-on-Tees.”
There were eight award categories this year, with two winners being jointly awarded the Service to the Community – Individual Award.
The Young Person’s Award
14-year-old Adam Bell, from Ingleby Barwick has worked tirelessly to tackle bullying and support the victims of bullying in his school and local community. In 2015 he was one of only 15 young people chosen nationally to be an Anti-Bullying Youth Ambassador and also received a Diana Award for giving time to improve the lives of others. He has also set up his own Facebook page called ‘Stop Bullying Together’ which promotes awareness of bullying and provides support to victims.
Service to the Community – Individual Award
Former Stockton-on-Tees librarian Joyce Chesney from Fairfield gives her time to a number of local charities and organisations which provide great benefit to the people of the Borough. She belongs to the Stockton group of Soroptimist International which raises money for many worthwhile causes. She also volunteers at the Butterwick Hospice and supports blind and partially sighted people in Stockton and across the UK.
Norman Alderton was nominated for the Service to the Community Award for serving the community of Thorpe Thewles. For many decades he devoted his time both as a committed sports coach teaching youngsters badminton, cricket and football but also through his active role as a dedicated church warden. Sadly Norman Alderton passed away in February 2016 so this award is in dedication to his memory.
Service to Community Award – groups and organisations
Stockton Residents and Community Groups Association (SRCGA) has been providing services and supporting the community sector within Stockton-on-Tees for more than 25 years. Members have successfully forged links with hundreds of organisations and are known for being passionate and enthusiastic about what they do.
Service to Community – Business Award
Wynyard based Nortech Solutions Group has raised more than £32,000 for charities and good causes in the Tees Valley and wider area through its Nortech Cares initiative. The company supports two fundraising campaigns a year plus a host of regular and one-off charity events such as a 285 mile cycle ride from their offices in Wynyard to Aberdeen.
The Green Award
The Wynyard Park Ranger Volunteers work in all weathers to keep some of the Borough’s most loved green spaces in top condition. They clear paths and drainage ditches, fell trees, fix gates and steps, and maintain planted areas within Wynyard Woodland Park and other areas of the Borough.
The Health and Wellbeing Award
Ian Mackie was diagnosed with dementia in 2011. Since then Ian, and his wife and carer Mary, have shown a determined commitment to increasing awareness about the condition, improving service provision across the Borough and showing that it is possible to live well with dementia. Through this work Ian and Mary have both made an exceptional contribution to the life of others in their local community and were instrumental in developing the LiveWell Dementia Hub – Stockton Borough’s ‘one stop shop’ for those living with dementia.
The Carer/Foster Carer Award
Margaret Wren from Billingham has been a foster carer for 38 years. During that time she has cared for dozens of children and young people, providing them with a stable, loving family environment for as long as they need it. Some of the children and young people have stayed with Margaret for many years, moving on only when they are ready to live independently.
Special Carer Award
For the past 15 years Robert Turner has worked in a number of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s children’s homes. Over this time he has provided a calm, patient and caring approach to supporting some of the Borough’s most vulnerable young people. He is very creative in the ways in which he engages the children and because of this they hold him in the highest regard.
If you would like to nominate an individual, group or business for next year’s Civic Awards please visit www.stockton.gov.uk/civicawards