South Norfolk Community Awards 2021 winners
The 2021 awards, sponsored by Clarion Housing, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of residents from across the district, who go above and beyond to support others or complete incredible achievements.
The winner in each category receive £250 to give to their chosen community group or voluntary organisation.
The winners of this year's South Norfolk Community Awards are:
John O'Leary - Inspiration of the Year, sponsored by Smurfit Kappa
John has been an inspiration to his community, especially during lockdown. He has been a Thurlton Parish Councillor for 15 years and has given so much of himself to keep his community upbeat and support those in need. He recently retired from the Parish Council to be able to give more of his time to the community shop. He ensures the shop is providing what the community needs and has led an incredible team of volunteers even when he hasn’t felt well himself.
Scarlet Mills - Young Hero Award, sponsored by HSBC
Scarlet began volunteering for Scole Nature Trails Trust five years ago. Her first task was to help clear fallen leaves and debris from footpaths. Since then she has assisted in all manner of work on various group projects including - planting wild-flower bulbs, hedge planting in the churchyard, clearing blackberry brambles and helping to install a path in the outdoor classroom. She is a confident and articulate young lady who works hard for her community.
Carol Essex - Helping Hand Award, sponsored by Castlemeadow Care
Carol was the first point of call for elderly and vulnerable members of the community needing transport for medical visits contact during the pandemic. She went above and beyond her remit, popping to the shops for isolated people and calling them to make sure they were ok. As a result of her can do attitude, Hingham Car Scheme managed to continue its service throughout the pandemic Carol’s personal commitment to helping her community despite her own health issues was a shining beacon of light.
The award was collected on Carol's behalf by her friend, Trevor Nutts.
Jim's Mobile Grocery Store - Business Community Support of the Year, sponsored by Price Bailey
Craig and the team at Jim’s have gone above and beyond to help residents in the community who are self-isolating with their mobile grocery store. The shop, located inside a converted van is loaded with fresh produce every day and driven door to door for vulnerable resident to use safely and independently.
Andrew Cox - Green at Heart Award
Over the last year, Andrew has organised and planted a copse of trees in the village of Newton Flotman as well as organising a community allotment scheme. In his role as tree warden he is supporting the Parish Council with wild meadowing on verges and the village green. He has brought local community together over a mutual love of the village’s green spaces.
Norfolk and Suffolk 4x4 Response - Community Group of the Year, sponsored by East of England Coop
This charitable organisation offer on and off-road assistance to the emergency services including Lowland Search and Rescue, the RNLI and the ambulance and fires services.Last Christmas they were called out to support during the flooding. They rescued stricken residents and helped get supplies through to those who needed them, sacrificing their own Christmas periods to help other make the best of theirs.
Victor Wright - Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Clarion Futures
Victor is a volunteer at Roots Community Cafe set up in Wymondham to combat loneliness. His role is to listen to those who visit and keep them company. He is always smiling and welcoming to whomever he meets, always open to hearing what they have to say. During lockdown Roots had to close its doors and was forced to carry on in other ways. Vic remained in contact with and visited some of the older more vulnerable folk that he had met whilst at Roots to make sure they were ok.
Darren Reeve - Community Hero Award
Darren set up the Norfolk Paddle Board Meet Up, a community group that campaigns to improve safety on the Broads. The group, who call him Captain Baldie, help families find safe places to play in the rivers. In one instance, Darren helped a young girl with ADHD get used to the river and grow her confidence so she could enjoy the river safely. He also organises litter picks along the river to help keep the unique environment clean and tidy.
Steve Maddams - Special Recogntion Award
Steve volunteers for the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service as a first responder to emergency calls, saving lives every time he is on duty. However, this summer, whilst stopping to fill up for fuel and buy some snacks, Steve crossed paths with young boy named Archie choking on a sweet. Despite his Mum’s best efforts she had been unable to dislodge the blockage. When Steve caught sight of the situation he acted quickly, throwing his ice cream and crisps to the floor and began slapping Archie’s back to help remove the sweet, whilst calling for assistance on his radio. Eventually the sweet was dislodged and Archie was taken for further checks at hospital. He has made a full recovery and is forever grateful for Steve’s quick thinking and actions that day.
Follow us on the social media to keep up to dated with the Community Awards