PRESS RELEASE Suffolk Community Awards Event honouring groups and - - PDF document

PRESS RELEASE Suffolk Community Awards Event honouring groups and individuals who contribute so much to their community

Winners and their guests gathered at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket on Tuesday 24th September at the presentation evening of the new Suffolk Community Awards. The event recognised the outstanding contributions from 14 individuals and organisations representing young people, community buildings, and volunteers as well as initiatives that have contributed to creating the most active communities and village and town of the

• year. It also included a brand new award ‘Suffolk Good Neighbour Award” sponsored by

Suffolk Community Foundation. Christine Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Suffolk, said “the new collaborative awards had a record number of entries and it was a difficult task this year for the panels to select the final winners. We were overwhelmed by the breadth of activity that people are undertaking for the benefit of others and their local communities. Suffolk should be very proud”. Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils, added “local town and parish councils are enablers and increasingly making a significant contribution to where we choose to live and it is important to have these awards so we can shine a light on the work they do.” Cllr James Reeder, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Prevention, “The contribution that local communities make to helping people be, and stay, active is truly remarkable. Throughout Suffolk there are a huge array of classes, clubs and events taking place every week that encourage people to get moving. Collectively they have an immense impact on the social, emotional and physical health of the county and for that I salute them. They are a fundamental part of our ambitions to, ultimately, become the most active county in England.” Compere Mark Murphy, BBC Radio Suffolk, added “I have always said we don’t shout loud enough when it comes to all the hard work individuals and groups put into making Suffolk a great place to live. I was proud to be involved in presenting these awards to these unsung heroes and it was a great idea to bring them together into one event.”

WINNERS: CAS Community Awards Colonel Probert Award : Hour Community Ian Campbell MBE Award : Bryan Hall Village Hall & Community Building Award : Shotley Village Hall

• SALC Town and Village of the Year Awards

Small Village of the Year : Bures Large Village of the Year : Woolpit Town of the Year : Sudbury

• CAS Children and Young People Awards

Andrew Towers Award : Issac Holmes Roddy Macleod Award : Lowestoft Boxing Academy Anne Dunford OBE Award : Proud Period

• Suffolk’s Most Active Community Awards

Most Active Village of the Year : Kirton and Falkenham Most Active Town of the Year : Bury St. Edmunds

• CAS Volunteering Awards

Event Organiser of the Year : Joe Mason Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award : Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne Suffolk Good Neighbour Award : Cherie Parnell ENDS Contacts

Community Action Suffolk, Christine Abraham, Chief Executive Officer chris.abraham@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk 01473 345302 https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/ Suffolk Association of Local Councils, Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer ceo@salc.org.uk 01473 833713 https://www.salc.org.uk/

• Cllr. James Reeder, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-elected- representatives/find-your-councillor/james-reeder/ Sponsors