THE PEOPLE who make a real difference for the better to life in Warwick district have been honoured.
The Pride of Warwick District Awards, organised by Touch FM, and supported by Phillips 66, were held at Chesford Grange on Friday (June 30).
Spokeswoman Jo Billings said: “The awards, now in their fifth year celebrate all of the great things that happen around here.
“From the leaders of our business community and our district’s grandees to the heroic citizenship and everyday selflessness of our area’s unsung community heroes; there are so many stories to celebrate.”
Newly elected Warwick & Leamington MP Matt Western was guest speaker, and the night raised nearly £1,000 for charity No More Floor, which provide changing areas with facilities such as hoists for those with disabilities.
Visit www.leamingtonobserver.co.uk for lots more photos from the big night.
The winners and other nominees were:
Business of the Year with Phillips 66: Joint winners – Aubrey Allen and Just Checking Ltd
Also nominated – Absolute Works; Hair Management
Small Business of the Year with the Federation of Small Businesses – Carty Services
Also nominated – CJ’s Events Warwickshire Ltd; R53 Engineering Ltd; Risk Evolves
Business Person of the Year with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce – Ruth Waring, Labyrinth Logistics Consulting Ltd
Also nominated – Helen Barge, Risk Elvolves; Roger Estrada, R53 Engineering Ltd; Russell Allen, Aubrey Allen
Town Centre Business of the Year – Hair Management
Also nominated – The Beauty Rooms; Swirls
Hospitality Business of the Year with The Chesford Grange – The Rose and Crown
Also nominated – Oscar’s French Bistro; Space, a Warwickshire College Group Enterprise
Customer Care Award with Take Flight Aviation – Aubrey Allen
Also nominated – Hair Management; The Rose and Crown
Artisan Award – Swirls
Also nominated – Caking and Baking; Prices Spices;
Team of the Year with the Leamington Courier Series – Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes
Also nominated – Heritage and Culture Warwickshire; The Rose and Crown
Carer of the Year with Wenman Healthcare – Entrust Care Partnership
Also nominated – Castel Froma; Sanchia Hanson;
Educator of the Year with Warwickshire College Group – In2Cultures
Also nominated – Cathryn Armer – Northleigh House School; Stagecoach Performing Arts
Citizen of the Year with Phillips 66 – Nicola Enoch – For 11 years she has inspired and supported over 50 families. The work that she does within the community is life changing.
Also nominated – Chris Osborne; Ian Underwood
Young Achiever of the Year – Isobel Derry – Isobel decided to follow her dream rather than opt for traditional study and she is achieving so much personally but also continues to support and motivate others that she works with making music.
Also nominated – Conner Bonser; Jordy Whitehouse
Long Service Volunteer of the Year with Warwickshire Community & Voluntary Action – Rosemary Went – Rosemary has been volunteering for over 20 years and helps a number of organisations across the district. The help and dedication she has shown improved the lives of many people over the years.
Also nominated – David Hibberd; Malcolm and Stella Storer; Ro Pudden
Warwick District’s Pride Award with Geberit – Helping Hands Community Project
Also nominated – Rethink Warwick; The Ups of Downs; Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes
Special Awards
Amelia Webster – In 2012, Amelia suffered life changing injuries when a drink driver collided with her car – head on. The following year was a real challenge, having a baby and toddler to care for while recovering. But she still created Castle Small Puppet Theatre – a small castle where a group of puppets lived who loved to tell stories – to allow the professional actor and musician to adapt to her physical restrictions post accident. The business has gone from strength to strength and Castle Small Puppet Theatre perform across the region – in schools, at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and at children’s parties. They have also been approached by cbeebies at the BBC.
Ro Pudden has dedicated 30 years of her life volunteering and making a difference to improving the lives of disabled people throughout Warwick district. She is the owner of Lowlands Farm in Shrewley and since 1985 where she has developed a leading centre for therapeutic riding, hosting four separate Riding for the Disabled Association Groups. She also helped with the success of the British Team at the Atlanta Paralympics games in 1996 where Paralympic dressage was introduced for the first time. Under her coaching and guidance, Liz Stone went on to win Paralympic Gold. Through her dedication and guidance, she has supported thousands of disabled young people and adults.
Sanchia Hansen is a 17 year-old who aspires to become a doctor in order to help others. As well as studying for A Levels, every week she volunteers at Ridgeway special school in Warwick. As well helping younger people, she also enjoys spending time with older members of the community and has been working with a charity at Warwick Hospital which allows her to spend time on the wards, offering companionship to older patients with a variety of conditions such as dementia. She also volunteers every week at a nursing home in the district and has spent time helping at the Shakespeare Hospice. She even finds time to attend a monthly Youth Council at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital to improve the patient experience for young people.
