18
www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk
Brian Hewitt MBE: Community Award winner Brian has been volunteering for the Royal British Legion for an astonishing 65 years and has been an outstanding member of the Stoke Gifford branch since moving to South Gloucestershire 30 years ago. He has been helpful and encouraging to every new member and where necessary taught his successors the ropes as he has moved on to new positions within the branch. Brian arranges for a bugler to sound the Last Post on 11th November each year at Bristol Parkway Station, which all the staff and customers find very moving. Brian is a full of life character and nothing is too much trouble for him. Stoke Gifford Royal British Legion branch vice chairman Terry Webber commented: “I’ve known Brian for more than 20 years and in all that time he has always been in a position to help the community – as a councillor or as a member of the Royal British Legion. He has been in the top position at county level and also at branch level, where he now holds the office of president. I cannot think of anyone who deserves the award more.”
Chris and Jenny Brooker, representing Freewheelers EVS: Group Award winner Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service is a registered charity that provides a free out-of-hours motorcycle courier service to hospitals in the South West. They transport blood, pathology and microbiology specimens, patient notes, x-rays, breast milk, medication and other medical supplies. This lifesaving service is funded entirely by public donation and sponsorship; everyone involved in Freewheelers is a volunteer. Feedback from doctors and nurses at the hospitals is that this service has saved many patients’ lives.
t: 01454 300 400
April 2017
Diya Barot and George Beavan: Young Persons Community Award winners These two young people are shining stars. Diya and George signed up to become Anti Hate Crime Ambassadors two years ago when Southern Brooks Community Partnerships (SBCP) piloted a project at Abbeywood Community School in Stoke Gifford. They’ve used their training to mentor students who have been either the victim or the perpetrator of hate incidents. Diya and George also volunteer at a local primary school’s after school club, where they have proved consistent and reliable in their support and enabled the children there to benefit from the exposure to a wider range of topics than they might otherwise experience. After the success at Abbeywood, SBCP secured further funding from the Home Office to support more schools across Kingswood, Filton and Patchway. Julie Close, director at SBCP, commented: “Our hate crime ambassadors programme teaches young people to recognise and respond appropriately to a hate crime incident. It gives them the skills they need for life, which they can share with their peers, family, friends and future work colleagues.”
Andy Ward: Community Award winner Andy is involved in many volunteer groups. His skills, knowledge and expertise have helped the Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation Group continue to look after this important historic woodland. He is also an active member of Bradley Stoke Radio, a not for profit, community station run by volunteers. Always ready to support a good cause, the station, with Andy at the helm, champions many charities, such as the Heartful Dodgers, for whom he also volunteers. He is extremely hardworking, passionate about everything he undertakes and his vision, enthusiasm and ability to problem solve effectively is infectious.
To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400