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Community News

Positive Swindon
Judges faced the difficult task of identifying winners

The ninth annual Pride of Swindon
awards were launched in December
and since then suggestions have
been flooding in.
The event aims to honour unsung
heroes in the town who make a
difference in their community.
Speaking at the launch of the
awards, Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw
said: “We are looking for people
who are making a difference to this
town. It can be someone who has
saved a life or people like Phoebe
who are increasing awareness of a
condition. Pride of Swindon is one
of the best events of the year.”
Judges drawn from Voluntary
Action Swindon, Volunteer Centre Previous winners and representatives of the sponsors attended this year’s launch event
Swindon, Nationwide, Zurich,
McDonalds, Swindon 105.5, contribute to their community or volunteers in their community for development manager of Zurich
Positive Media Group and Swindon improve the lives of others were years, others who were the driving Community Trust Tony Martin, the
Advertiser faced the difficult task judged on their merits rather force behind fundraising activities winning 10 individuals and six
of sifting through more than 50 than the number of nominations in the town or youngsters who had teams were decided upon.
nominations to draw up a shortlist. received. reached out to others in need. The winners will be revealed at
Nominees who were thought Among the nominations were After a lengthy debate and vote the awards ceremony on March 16
to have gone the extra mile to those who had quietly served as by the judges, chaired by volunteer at the Steam museum.
Inspirational Oscar launched fundraising drive for friend

One of those nominated for the
Pride of Swindon awards is 9-year-
old Oscar Moulding.
The inspirational Robert Le Kyng
pupil, despite facing his own
personal challenges, has shown a
maturity beyond his years to help
raise money to fund a wheelchair
for a friend from Bosnia.
Oscar heard about Sofija Jevdic’s
story from a Facebook group
dedicated to those affected by
merosin-negative congenital
muscular dystrophy.
The youngster understood that
Sofija’s family needed to raise at
least £400 to fund a wheelchair for
his friend and set about the task
with determination.
Oscar’s mum Alex explained:
“Without help, Sofija would have
had to make do with a wheelchair
that is not suitable for her.
“The chairs that were available to
her were all the same size and she
would have had to be propped up
with pieces of foam.
“Oscar decided that he should do
all that he could to help out. We’re
really proud of him.”
In order to hit his fundraising
target, Oscar held a variety of Inspirational youngster Oscar Moulding with his mum Alex
fundraising activities, including a
wear yellow day at his school where encourage people to donate to his had about £2,000.” few years.
fellow pupils were asked to donate Just Giving fundraising page. The money has been sent to Alex said: “I feel really proud of
towards the fund. Oscar said: “We started out asking Sofija’s family to buy a new Oscar and what he has achieved.
He also made a guest appearance people to help raise £400, but we motorised wheelchair and help her It’s brilliant and he deserves to have
on BBC Wiltshire Radio to got that really quickly and soon we family support her over the next the spotlight on him.”

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