Page 8 - link magazine

Nominate your community heroes for Pride of Swindon

2016’s Pride of Swindon awards were launched in
December and you now have a chance to nominate
those who have made a real difference.

It’s time for the people of Swindon me every year. This year we
to get their thinking caps on to find want people from every walk
the town’s community heroes. of life to really get involved in
The Pride of Swindon 2016 putting forward their community
awards, which takes place on champion.”
Thursday 17 March at Steam In 2015 one group that stood out
Museum, was officially launched on as a finalist was the Swindon and
Tuesday 1 December in the Mayor’s District Branch of Parkinsons UK.
Parlour. They introduced a scheme working
This year Excalibur and Positive with public transport companies
Media Group have become the like Stagecoach and Thamesdown
event’s main sponsors joining Transport to raise awareness of the
Swindon Advertiser, Intel, difficulties people with Parkinsons
Nationwide, Zurich and McDonalds. face carrying out every day tasks.
Nominations to find Swindon’s Branch vice chairman Dave
unsung and selfless heroes can Hartley, who attended the launch,
be submitted until 29 January. said: “The scheme, which included a
Each nominee is presented with special video, has now been picked
a certificate and a select group up by Parkinsons UK which we were
of people who have gone the very honoured by. Mayor Andrew Bennett with past winners and sponsors at the
extra mile will receive a special “The Pride of Swindon award has launch of 2016’s Pride of Swindon awards
badge and their name honoured really helped us raise awareness of
on a plaque at Swindon Central the condition and let people know holds other events including tai chi manager at Nationwide, said
Library. Nominations can be for an how the deterioration of cognitive sessions. the company takes its role as a
individual or a team. ability manifests itself.” Jon Carpenter, Swindon area corporate citizen seriously both on
Tony Martin, of Zurich Community The branch meets on the last manager for Macdonalds said: a national and also a local level.
Trust, said: “The quality of the Friday of every month at Grange “We’ve been involved with the “We do a lot of internal recognition
nominations that we get surprises Leisure Centre at 7pm and also Pride of Swindon awards since they of our staff, but its also important
began. Without doubt it plays an to be part of a scheme to recognise
important part in community life individuals and teams throughout
in the town because it recognises the town.”
commitment which most people New sponsor James Phipps,
undertake without expecting chief executive of Excalibur
recognition. Communications and owner of the
“This year I’ve been struck by the Positive Media Group, said he’s
number of our colleagues, mostly delighted to be part of the Pride of
aged 18 to 24 years, who have Swindon Awards.
been touched by bereavement in He said: “There are so many
their family and how they have people in Swindon who give their
responded by getting involved time to help others, or are role
in different charities, either by models in their organisation or
fundraising or participating in a sports group.
practical way.” “And the team category gives
Another of 2015’s finalists who employee groups the chance for
attended the launch was Deb their work outside the workplace to
Cooke of Foggies - The Swindon be recognised. They all need to be
Fibromyalgia Support Group. The celebrated.”
informal group meets on the first Launching the awards, the Mayor
Wednesday of every month at of Swindon councillor Andrew
midday at Liden Community Centre Bennett said: “Every Mayor
and on the third Wednesday of discovers a huge amount about
every month at midday at the what goes on in their town which
Boundary House pub in Moredon. they might not do otherwise.
She said: “It was an honour to Swindon does a lot of things very
be part of the Pride of Swindon well and the Pride of Swindon
awards and it has really helped Awards is one of the best.
raise awareness of our group. “I would ask everybody to
“The group really helps people think about who deserves to
who have fibromyalgia realise that be recognised and make a
they’re not alone and that there nomination.”
are other people out there who If you know an individual or
can relate to what they are going a team worthy of nomination,
through.” download the form at www.
Samantha Owen, citizenship swindon.gov.uk/prideofswindon
8 swindonlink.com n January 2016