Monday June 20, 2022
For immediate release
Charnwood celebrates its community heroes
Individuals, community groups and businesses have been honoured at an event that showcased this year’s Charnwood Community Heroes.
Charnwood Borough Council celebrated the positive contributions made by people and organisations in the borough during the first in-person version of the event since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Across the 51 nominations, there were great examples of how people and organisations have helped others to make Charnwood a better place.
Nominees had supported neighbours, organised events for charity, started groups to help vulnerable people, delivered food parcels, set up foodbanks and committed time to help and support young people.
Some nominees have held events to bring communities together and others have helped people worship together during the pandemic. There are many inspiring stories.
This year’s event has been kindly sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals and on Saturday (June 18), more than 100 guests and nominees attended the awards ceremony at Burleigh Court in Loughborough.
Community Heroes has also been supported by category sponsors John Storer Charnwood, Serco, 1284 Ltd, iDverde and Loughborough College.
Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, the council’s lead member for communities, said: “This year’s Community Heroes has been extra special as we have been able to celebrate your hard work in the company of others.
“The pandemic hit everybody hard, but to see so many people still put others before themselves and work exceptionally hard makes me incredibly proud.
“Thank you to everyone who has nominated somebody for an award, and to everyone who was nominated for your tireless and selfless work.”
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, Chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, said: “It has been an honour to be involved in Charnwood Community Heroes and congratulations to all the nominees.
“This event was the perfect opportunity to promote and pay tribute to the incredible work that people in Charnwood do for each other and their communities. You have made the borough very proud.”
Below is a list of the 2022 Charnwood Community Heroes and more information can also be read on the Council website. Just visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/heroes.
Beyond the Call of Duty (sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceutical)
Caren Fowler
Gemma Skevington
Mike Harrison
Lorna Hughes
Rachel Trivett
Brilliant Board/Trustee Member
Richard Jayes
Geetha Bala
Mr Amratbhai Bava
Business Community Action (sponsored by 1284 Ltd)
Jo Sanders and Steph Smith, Morrisons Community Champions
Sophie Bujdoso, B-Buddies CIC
Mia McKenna, Creative Spaces
Good Neighbour (sponsored by Serco)
Helen Lowe
Kishor Dave
Green Hero (sponsored by Serco)
Rob Toon
Louise Hall
Mike Jones
Nick and Emma Cope
Inspiring Others (sponsored by Loughborough College)
Ruby Appiah-Campbell
Michael Charlesworth
Annette Richardson
Simon Blackburn
Nayankumar Patel
Glennis Wilcox
Ann Bullock
Hugh Cairns
Jane Parr
Craig Jordan
Jane Lynch
Super Trooper
Sean Baker
Thomas Morris
Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Ben Clayton RNR
Ros Hackett
Dave Kemble
Usha Dave
Somru Miah
Saneh Lata Sharma
Mike Cahill and Stephen Mellors
Top Team
We Care UK
Loughborough Wellbeing Centre
Friends of Sacred Heart School Association
Loughborough Area Foodbank
Home Starter Box Team
Barrow Footpaths Group
Steps Conductive Education Team
Marios Tinenti Centre volunteers
Shepshed Wellbeing Walk leaders
Barrow Wellbeing Walks leaders
Gorse Covert Wellbeing Walks – walk leaders
Loughborough Town walk leaders
Young Hero (sponsored by idverde)
Luke Carroll
Jessica Loach
The Harry Cook Award, sponsored by Serco, is awarded to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community. It was chosen by Harry’s family. Harry, along with wife Pat, was heavily involved in Loughborough in Bloom and their floral home not only featured on the bloom judging route but also on BBC Gardener’s World. Harry sadly died in 2018. Pat is the chair of the Loughborough in Bloom Board.
The winner of the Harry Cook Award for 2022 was Nayankumar Patel. The Cook family also made a special mentioning of Mike Jones for his continuous support of the In Bloom communities.
People can read about all the nominations and the great work they have been doing in the community by visiting the Charnwood Community Heroes webpage.
You can follow stories of local heroes on the Charnwood Community Heroes Facebook page.
Also, keep up to date with the latest Charnwood Community Heroes news by following the Council on Twitter @CharnwoodBC and look for the hashtag #CharnHeroes.
ENDS