2012 Citizen of Southend Award Launched
It’s time to recognise those unsung heroes who perform selfless, kind acts or those people who make an outstanding contribution to the community, as nominations open for the sixth annual Citizen of Southend Awards.
Any group or individual - aged 8 to 80 - can be nominated. The only rule is that they must live in the borough of Southend-on-Sea.
Members of the public have from now until 30 June to say who they think should win the prestigious Gold, Silver and Bronze Citizen of Southend Awards for 2012.
A nominee’s achievement can be based on several criteria, including demonstrating courage and bravery, setting up or leading projects that benefit the community or helping / caring for the disadvantaged. The winners will be selected by a panel of distinguished Southend names, including former Southend East and Rochford MP Sir Teddy Taylor, Adventure Island Executive Chairman Philip Miller, prospective Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Mick Thwaites and Cllr Ian Robertson.
The lucky winners will receive a personalised trophy, as well as a substantial cash prize (Gold £500 / Silver £300 / Bronze £100).
The 2011 Citizen of Southend Gold Award winners were Barbara and Maurice Hobbs-Hurrell. The Shoeburyness couples first started fostering babies in 1975. Maurice says “It was a bit of surprise to hear we had won – but also a huge honour. We are part of a large team that foster so we are humbled to have been singled out for this, but I suppose 81 babies over 36 years is a lot! We were thrilled.”
The Silver Award was jointly awarded to Ruth and Dave Burges and the Thorpe Bay Rotary Club. Ruth and Dave manage the RNLI Shop at the end of Southend Pier. Ruth says “It was a VERY big shock to get this award, but we were absolutely delighted. The crew relies on the money we make in the shop to keep the RNLI service running so the award helped raise awareness of the shop and encourage visitors.”
Thorpe Bay Rotary Club has risen over £300,000 for community and charitable activities in Southend over the past 19 years. President David Ince says “We were privileged to be the recipient of a Citizen of Southend award. Everybody in the club works so very hard to reach out to the local community in Southend and help people in as many ways as we can.”
One of the founders of Citizen of Southend is Adventure Island Executive Chairman Philip Miller MBE, who is also chair of the judging panel. He says “Please nominate somebody who you think really deserves it – it will only take a few minutes of your time, but will mean a huge amount to that person or group. We really want the Citizen of Southend Awards to remind the whole community that we all have a role to play in helping others.”
Sir Teddy Taylor says “The Citizen of Southend Awards are just great because they give credit and recognition to those who work like slaves for good causes, but who – until the award – have often not been noticed or appreciated.”
The awards will be presented by the Mayor of Southend during a special ceremony at Porters on 25 September 2012.
Citizen of Southend 2012 is sponsored by Southend Radio 105.1 and Adventure Island. To nominate, simply visit www.citizenofsouthend.co.uk
