Winners of St. Albans Mayor’s Pride Awards 2015 Celebrated

A local milkman, St Albans Special Olympics, and a young carer are among the winners of the Mayor’s Pride Awards 2015.

The awards recognise and celebrate unsung local heroes that go the extra mile and outstanding groups working for the benefit of the community.

Eight awards were presented at the glittering ceremony to people and groups nominated by members of the public. A panel of judges selected the winners from more than 50 nominations. Winners included milkman Mick Tutton, who was named Community Champion of the Year, and young carer Emma Cox, who won the Young Person of Distinction Award. In addition, the Mayor presented his special Mayor’s Recognition Award to Terry Dean, who recently celebrated 50 years working in Clarence Park.

Councillor Geoff Harrison, the Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “I congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their efforts and hard work for the community. I was amazed by the achievements of all the individuals and organisations nominated for the awards and it was a difficult task to select the winners. These awards honour and recognise the work and generous spirit of local community heroes who may otherwise go unnoticed.”

All shortlisted nominees were invited to the awards evening where they were treated to live entertainment and an inspirational talk from Paralympian David Clarke. David scored 128 goals during his time playing for Great Britain and England football teams for blind and visually impaired players. He was also a stadium torch bearer at the 2012 summer Paralympics in London.

The awards evening also included performances from this year’s mayoral charity Living the Dream and from the St Albans Gospel Choir.

Living the Dream

St Albans City and District Council delivers the awards in association with the Herts Advertiser, Radio Verulam and St Albans District Centre for Voluntary Service (CVS).

Other winners included Andrew and Simon Salter for a Testicular Cancer awareness campaign for Cultural Innovation of the Year.  The two brothers won the award for raising awareness of testicular cancer, particularly among young men, through their social media Check One Two campaign #feelingnuts. The campaign led to Channel 4’s The Feeling Nuts Comedy Night.

The Community Project of the Year was won by St Albans Special Olympics (SOSA).  SOSA operates an extensive weekly sports programme for 160 members aged from eight years upwards. Athletes from SOSA represented Special Olympics GB at the European swimming championships and at the Special Olympic World Games in Los Angeles. SOSA is described as “a lifeline to the disabled community of St Albans” by Debbie Tyson ­whose daughter is a member.

Also recognised for their contribution to the community of St Albans were Computer Friendly (Community Oriented Business of the Year). More information about the Mayor’s Pride Awards and full details of the shortlisted nominees and award winners are available online.

(St. Albans City and District Council)