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GALLERY: Glorious night of celebration at Pride in Fenland awards
Pride in Fenland Awards bigger than ever this year attracting 117 nominations
Sisters aged nine and ten who have dialled 999 numerous times to save their diabetic mum and a resolute octogenarian who has spent decades running her chapel – and still varnishes the floors herself – were among those recognised as Fenland’s finest at an awards ceremony.
The Pride in Fenland Awards was bigger than ever this year attracting 117 nominations for 79 groups and people.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
All those nominated in the individual volunteer category. PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Among the winners were groups and individual volunteers who go to amazing lengths to get food for struggling families, elderly people and the homeless.
There was a nine-year-old who tirelessly raises funds and awareness for a friend and his brother who have an incurable disease.
And a man who picks litter every day to keep his village looking good.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
All those that were nominated and winners. PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Cllr Sue Wallwork, Fenland District Council portfolio holder for community, said: “Tonight we met the people we all want to be – young and older.
“People who put others first, thrive on supporting their communities and those less fortunate and children who are brave, loyal, and determined to be effective.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Cllr Susan Wallwork PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
“It is impossible not to be moved and inspired. We could only tell the specific stories of the few picked as winners and runners-up, but all of the nominees take home our gratitude and respect.
“We celebrate and thank them all. They are proof of how much greatness there is in Fenland. They all show what a difference every individual can make in the world.”
All the nominees were invited to the awards ceremony at Wisbech St Mary Sports and Community Centre on Wednesday, March 13, where there were certificates for all and trophies for winners in six categories.
They all received £75 prize money too and three runners up got trophies and £50.
The Pride in Fenland awards are organised by Fenland District Council in partnership with the Fenland Citizen.
There have been fifteen previous annual events, with the last held in November 2022.
Tesco Extra, Wisbech, sponsored hot drinks at this year’s event.
Hosts for the evening were Cllr Wallwork and Cllr Sam Clark.
Cambridgeshire High Sheriff Dr Bharatkumar Khetani kindly attended and presented some of the prizes.
Winners and runners-up at the 2024 event were:
Community group volunteers
Winner – Helping Whittlesey Community Pantry. The pantry, supported by 20-plus volunteers, launched last year (2023) to redistribute food that would otherwise go to waste, nominators said.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Winner in Community group category Whittlesey Community Pantry PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
At Christmas, it made an additional difference by collecting toys and gifts for more than 100 children, providing Christmas dinner ingredients to struggling families and cooked meals for elderly people who would have otherwise been alone.
Runner up – All Seasons, Chatteris. Nominations said the group has supported ‘so many children and families – providing activities, meals, support and guidance, free swimming sessions’.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Runner up in Community group category All Seasons PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
It is inclusive of children with additional needs and the group leader Sam Baker has also provided emergency support to families hit by the cost-of-living crisis, with deliveries of nappies and essentials.
Young Individual or Youth Group Volunteers
Winner – Shyla Brown. Shyla is a nine-year-old, who has worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness for a friend from Peckover Primary School, Wisbech, and his brother, who both suffer from the incurable degenerative Batten Disease.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Winner in the The Young Individual or Youth group Shyla Brown PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Shyla, of Newton in the Isle, raised more than £2,000 by walking a marathon as well as running a cake and lemonade stall and is now training to cycle 100 miles in 24 hours, her nominations said.
One nomination said: “Shyla is always thinking of new ways to help others less fortunate than herself. We need more Shylas in the world!”
Runner up – Jack Page, of Whittlesey, is just six years old, but is already a serial fundraiser, supporting lots of different causes.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Runner up in the The Young Individual or Youth group Jack Page PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
He makes and sells jewellery and has raised a total of more than £900 for his school – Coates Primary School – and veterans with his sights now set on supporting wildlife, rescue animals and the homeless, nominations said.
One nomination described Jack as a “remarkable young man.”
Individual volunteer
Winner – George Broughton, of Feed Fenland, which provides hot meals to anyone in need six days a week in Wisbech and weekly in March.
One nomination said: “George is the heartbeat of Feed Fenland. He devotes all his free time to helping the most vulnerable in our communities.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Winner in the individual volunteer category George Broughton PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
“He’s truly phenomenal. In the hardest of times (sister’s funeral) he came to serve and even apologised for not being his normal self. Him and his amazing wife give so many hours to grow this incredible charity.”
Runner up – Geoff Howes. Geoff set up Manor parkrun, Whittlesey, four years ago after being forced to retire from being a headteacher for heart surgery, a nomination said.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Runner up in the individual volunteer category Geoff Howes PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
He volunteers at parkrun every Saturday whatever the weather as well as doing lots more for the community as a Whittlesea Station Adopter and coaching junior runners.
Environmental Volunteer
Winner – David Rose was nominated by Leverington Parish Council, for his tireless efforts to litter pick in the village keep, which he does not only as a dedicated member of Leverington Street Pride group, but daily.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Special Category Awards presented by The High Sheriff Dr Khetani The Environmental Award David Rose PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Special Judges Award
Winner – Alyssa and Scarlett Bass, Whittlesey Alderman Jacobs Primary School pupils, aged ten and nine, have had to call 999 on four occasions as their mum who has complications with type 1 diabetes.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Special Category Awards Cllr Susan Wallwork, The Special Judges Award to Scarlett and Alyssa Bass with Cllr Sam Clark PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Special Category Awards presented by The High Sheriff Dr Khetani The Special Judges Award to Alyssa Bass and her sister Scarlett
One time, their mum was not breathing and had to be airlifted to hospital where she spent three days in critical care. “The girls were extremely brave and continue to care for their mum,” said their grandmother Pennie Alexander, who nominated them.
Lifetime Volunteer Award
Winner – Evelyn Hamps, aged 88, has spent decades running the Methodist chapel in Doddington and continues to be caretaker, fundraiser and organiser, her nominator said.
Adding: “Raising funds for its upkeep by tirelessly taking in sewing and repairs, baking cakes and pies, and using the chapel facilities for community services such as mother and toddler groups village horticultural show, organising refreshments for the village fete as well as running regular services for worship.
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Special Awards left to right Alyssa Bass The High Sheriff Dr Khetani, Evelyn Hamps and David Rose PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
“The chapel building is a village landmark near the Jubilee clock tower and as a listed building its upkeep and maintenance need constant funding.
“Evelyn has been known to do many of the jobs herself like recently varnishing the floors. I doubt the chapel would thrive without her dedication over many years.”
After the event Evelyn said: “It is just my life. It is most enjoyable. I get up at 6.30 every day and go to bed at a quarter to 11.
“I usually varnish the school room floor on Boxing Day every year.”
What could you do for your community? How about joining a Street Pride group to holding clean up events and getting involved in environmental enhancement projects?
Pride in Fenland Awards night
All those that were nominated and winners. PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Pride in Fenland Awards night
All those nominated in The Young Individual or Youth group PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Pride in Fenland Awards night
All those nominated in the Community group category PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
Pride in Fenland Awards night
Cllr Sam Clark PHOTO: Fenland Citizen
See: www.fenland.gov.uk/streetpride
Or search for a local charity or group aligned with your interests and offer your time – and if there’s not one, perhaps take inspiration from the Pride in Fenland Award nominees and consider being the one to launch
