Last updated at 17:28, Thursday, 17 January 2013

A RECORD number of nominations piled in – and the shortlist of inspirational finalists for the Love Barrow Awards 2013 can today be revealed.

HEROES: It was all smiles from winners at the Love Barrow 2012 Community Awards Evening as they celebrated at the Forum in Barrow JON GRANGER REF: 50030862B000

The awards are held each year to recognise unsung individuals and groups who make the Barrow borough special.

This year, organisers received an unprecedented 99 nominations across the eight categories.

Last autumn, everyone was welcome to nominate their special person or group, either online at www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk or by filling in a paper form.

There were nominations for an incredible variety of people whose efforts make a difference to Barrow or its surrounding communities.

The judges had an extraordinarily difficult task in narrowing 99 down to the final 24, but are pleased to reveal the impressive line-up.

Each finalist has been asked to come along to the glittering, invite-only Love Barrow Awards ceremony at The Forum on March 8.

Rebecca Rawlings, who is part of the awards organising team and a Barrow Borough Council community safety officer, said: “It has been great to be part of another year of the Love Barrow Awards.

“We had a record number of nominations and, as I’m sure everyone can imagine, that made it harder, and more tearful, than ever to draw up a shortlist for each category.

“There are many truly wonderful and inspirational people who live and work in our town and it was a privilege to hear about so many of them. But after a difficult and emotional day, we have our shortlist. This list of individuals and groups makes for impressive reading when you hear what a difference they make to our community.

“The awards ceremony will be a wonderful evening once again as we all recognise some of the brilliant people of our town.”

CARER – NHS

SONJIE MARSHALL, of Great Urswick, has been nominated by her sister Margaret Elizabeth Turbitt for whom she cares around the clock.
Miss Turbitt suffered bilateral lung blood clots and had a stroke which left her with severe right-sided weakness.
Mrs Marshall is also active in her community with Urswick’s St Mary and St Michael’s Church.

LYN YOUNG, bridge builder at the Croftlands Trust in Manchester Street, Barrow, has been nominated by service user Stephen Turner.
Mr Turner, who suffers from depression, credits the charity and Ms Young with saving his life.
In her hands, Mr Turner says he “feels in the most positive frame of mind I have done for years”.

HOLLY LOGAN, 10, of Cows Tarn Lane, Walney, helps look after mum Sian Hibbert, who has multiple sclerosis.
Holly was nominated by North Walney Primary and Nursery
School headteacher Phillip Webster, who described her as a “delightful girl”.

TEACHER –Sponsored by Baines Wilson LLP

WAYNE BROWN has given up many hours of his time since taking over as chairman of Dowdales School’s Parent Teacher Association, encouraging parent, staff and student participation.
He was nominated by headteacher Debbie O’Connor, who said: “He is always the first to arrive at events and the last to leave.”

VICKY SMITH has created a legacy of after-school sports at Lindal and Marton Primary School and given 30 years to Girl Guiding.
The mum-of-three was nominated by son Andrew, who said: “She has to be the most dedicated and loved wife, mother, teacher and Brown Owl in Cumbria.”

LISA MASSICKS, head of lower school at Dowdales School in Dalton, has been described as someone who goes the extra mile for her students.
In particular, she has helped Year 11 pupil Andrew Madden, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2011.
She has been nominated by PC Michael Brown and Andrew’s
family.

SPORTS VOLUNTEER – Sponsored by A Holden Ltd

IAN JONES, health and fitness officer at Park Leisure Centre in Barrow, has been the driving force behind the community running group, the Walney Wind Cheetahs.

Mr Jones, of Piel View Grove, Barrow, has been nominated by various people, including Wind Cheetah member Clare O’Hare, of Yealand Drive, Barrow, who said: “I cannot express how worthy he is of this award.”

RICKY MASON, of Park Avenue, Barrow, helps children with disabilities at Furness Parent/Carer Disability Forum and coaches with Furness Wildcat Wheelchair Sports Club.
He was nominated by Nicola Brockbank, of Barrow Borough Sports Council, who said: “He goes out of his way to make sure children with disabilities are included.”

Gymnast EMILY ARMISTEAD, 15, of Cloisters Avenue, Barrow, coaches throughout the week at Furness Gymnastics Club and volunteers at competitions.
She was nominated anonymously. The form said: “She always gives everything 100 per cent.”

YOUNG CITIZEN – sponsored by SDG Accountants

WILL ADAMS, 14, of Glenfield Road, Dalton, runs the website Eco Planet, providing inventive ideas on how to be more eco-friendly.
The Furness Youth Council member has been nominated by his Dowdales School headteacher Debbie O’Connor, who said: “His projects demonstrate his drive and determination to be an exemplary young citizen.”

KATIE SAMSON, 17, of Salthouse Road, Barrow, has “worked hard to achieve in all aspects of her life” after being separated from her family and moving into foster care.
Katie has been nominated by her learning care supervisor Suzanne, who said: “Katie is a young person who makes my job worthwhile.”

REBEKAH THOMPSON, 13, of Milton Street, Barrow, is an active Girl Guide who gives her time to help lots of people, including younger Brownies, and works year-round to boost the Christmas shoebox appeal.
Rebekah has been nominated by Diane Barker, who said: “She is a charming lady who is so wise above her years.”

GROUP/ PROJECT – Sponsored by Turnstone HR Consultancy

THE CROFTLANDS TRUST, in Manchester Street, Barrow, helps adults with mental health issues and learning difficulties.
The charity has been nominated by Stephen Turner, who credits the charity and its staff with saving his life.

THE FOUR GROVES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, of Suffolk Street, Barrow, has been helping to improve lives in one of Barrow’s most deprived areas since 2000.
Joanne Tyson, community involvement manager with Barrow Borough Council, nominated the association.

THE ORMSGILL RESIDENTS AND TENANTS ASSOCIATION built on years of hard work by securing its own community centre by bringing an old library back into use.
The association has been nominated by Joanne Tyson, community involvement manager with Barrow Borough Council, who said: “They’ve provided a facility which is much-needed in the area and I’m sure they’ll go from strength to strength.”

COURAGE – Sponsored by Furness College

VICKY PYNE, of Rake Lane, Ulverston, has been a rock for her two courageous daughters – prolific fundraiser Milly and the late Alice, whose battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphona inspired people worldwide.
She has been nominated by Mandy Telford, wife of MP John Woodcock, who said: “Vicky is the most courageous mum I’ve ever met.”

Parents-of-two, PAUL AND CLARE COULSTON, of Ulverston, are each battling life-limiting conditions.
Mr Coulston, a deputy headteacher, has Motor Neurone Disease, and wife Clare, a police sergeant, has only a 30 per cent chance of surviving esophageal cancer.
They have been nominated by staff at Mr Coulston’s workplace, St George’s CE Primary School, who said: “Their courage in the face of such massive challenges is humbling.”

Single mum KERRY ALEXANDER, of Fife Street, Barrow, battled the physical and mental trauma of a heart transplant and was inspired to come through it all for her teenage son, Connor.
She was nominated by an anonymous person who said: “Kerry would do anything for anybody but never asks for anything.”

CITIZEN – Sponsored by Furness Building Society

Walney PCSO GAIL O’NEILL has completed numerous mass-participation runs, raising thousands for charity in memory of her late nephew, Leigh Budge.
The person who nominated her anonymously also praised Mrs O’Neill for her caring approach, highlighting how each Christmas she sends cards to elderly residents in her community, and visits residents, often when off-duty, to keep them company.

Councillor JOHN MURPHY, of Mikasa Street, Walney, raised £40,000 for his Barrow mayor’s charity fund. Around 30 defibrillators are now placed locations across the borough and a committee has been formed to help deliver public training on how to use them.

MONICA PUGH, of Irwell Road, Walney, has run the 25th Barrow St Mary’s Guides for 30 years and recently started a senior section for 14-to-25-year-olds.
Mrs Pugh, who also runs Rainbow, Beaver and toddler groups and helps at St Columba’s Catholic Primary School, was nominated by Victoria Robinson, who said: “This lady is amazing.”

ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEER(S)

DOWDALES ECO GROUP consists of pupils from the Dalton school who work together to promote sustainable living.
They participate in litter picks, promote energy and work on the school allotment to grow organic vegetables, and were nominated by Martin Ellison, Dowdales sustainable schools leader.

THE JUNIOR WARDENS, part of the Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management team, are volunteers, aged eight to 11, who use their own time to work towards good causes.
The youngsters, who have been nominated anonymously, work in partnership with various organisations, to take responsibility for their environment.

PAT SOUTHWARD, of Victoria Street, Askam, is a long-standing volunteer with the Lots Committee in Askam.
After an old playground fell into disuse, she had the idea of bringing the facility back for the village and creating a wildlife-friendly garden, applying for funding and involving school children. Mrs Southward has been nominated by Askam and Ireleth Parish Council clerk, Janice Cumming.

First published at 16:33, Thursday, 17 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk