Mayor recognises Woking's local heroes

15 July 2005

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Acts of goodwill by local residents were recognised by the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Ian Johnson, at a special presentation of the Borough's Good Neighbour and Community Awards during the Council meeting on 14 July 2005.

The award scheme, launched by Woking Borough Council in 1997, aims to "promote community spirit of the best kind" throughout the Borough. It recognises people of all ages who have acted on their own initiative, providing continuous voluntary service over a period of time.

Such good deeds include: helping with shopping and household chores, visiting those alone or in hospital, organising and running community events or getting involved in volunteer work.

Speaking at the presentation, the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Ian Johnson, said: "The people here tonight are a credit to the community. They have worked tirelessly and selflessly for their local area and Woking Borough Council is delighted to be able to recognise their hard work and dedication."

Winners from across the 17 electoral wards received a certificate and a £50 voucher to spend in local shops. This year, Waitrose and Morrisons have contributed towards the prizes. Two of the winners then went forward to collect a Borough Award (one each for the Good Neighbour and Community categories), consisting of a special certificate and an engraved shield.

The winners of this year's Good Neighbour and Community Awards are as follows:

WARD WINNERS

Good Neighbour Category

Robert Beer of Mount Hermon West - awarded for the long-standing help and support given to ex-Brookwood Hospital residents and local neighbours.

Emily Duffield of Maybury and Sheerwater - awarded for the assistance given to her neighbours, helping with household tasks and keeping communal grounds well maintained.

Christine Jones of Goldsworth West - awarded for the help and care given to elderly neighbours, as well as looking after her own young family.

Community Category

Pat Brackley of Mount Hermon West - awarded for her work founding the `Happy Club' at Trinity Methodist Church for people with learning difficulties.

Tony Burgoyne of Goldsworth West - awarded for his voluntary work for Shopmobility and work founding the Woking Link of the Chernobyl Children's Life Line charity, as well as varied voluntary work within Goldsworth Park.

Derek Martin of Hermitage and Knaphill South - awarded for his voluntary work for Woking District Scouts as their Treasurer over the last 16 years and, more recently, his work founding St Johns Care, a community care scheme.

Alan Mercer of Byfleet -awarded for his dedicated voluntary work for Byfleet Care, a neighbourhood care scheme.

BOROUGH WINNERS

Robert Beer and Tony Burgoyne went forward to collect the Borough Awards for the Good Neighbour and Community categories respectively.

Nomination forms for next year's Good Neighbour and Community Awards will be available in January 2006. For further information, please contact Charlotte Senior, Woking Borough Council's Member Services Officer, on 01483 743053.