The Love Barrow Awards 2015 Winners

Citizen of the Year  2015

Sponsored by Furness Building Society

Wendy Thompson

website Citizen 2015 Wendy ThompsonLBA2015 - 150 copy

One person’s warmth, humour and kindness can radiate throughout the community.

Wendie, also known as ‘Woo’ has been nominated for the effort she puts in to the many groups, organisations and people she helps on a daily basis.  Even a diagnosis of cancer hasn’t stopped the ‘Wonderful World of Woo’ from reaching out to Brownies, Guides, Sunday School, Crafts and Cookery lessons, fundraising and collections for Marie Curie and Barrow Food Bank.  All with her trademark humour.

Watch Wendy’s Nomination Video

Runners up : Gill Jepson & Lynda Preston
Watch Nomination Gill’s Video     Watch Lynda’s  Nomination Video

Young Citizen of the Year 2015

Sponsored by Kimberly Clark

Kairen Thackrah

Website Young Cit 2015 Kairen Thackrah LBA2015 - 129 copy

Not every young person tries to make themselves useful to the community.

Those that do are an inspiration to young and old alike.  Kairen has been nominated for her dedication to first aid and for following her dream of becoming a paramedic.  But it isn’t untested.  Kairen has proven that she has ‘what it takes’, giving CPR to a woman who collapsed on the street in front of her, acting on instinct and drawing on the skills she has been building up to pursue her ambition.

Watch Kairen’s Nomination Video

Runners up : Ella Parker & Jessica Jackson

Watch Ella’s Nomination Video     Watch Jessica’s Nomination Video

Group or Project of the Year 2015

Sponsored by Phil Collier Associates

Junior Citizen Scheme

website Group or project 2015 junior citizen sheme LBA2015 - 141 copy

A project can sometimes be the heart of the future of our community.

The Barrow Junior Citizen scheme has been nominated for the 25 years of work it has done to teach personal safety, crime prevention, community safety, drug issues, first aid, internet safety and fire safety to between 900 – 1200 young people of Barrow, every year.  Its aim is to keep them safe by giving them tools to be good citizens and valued members of the community.

Watch  Junior Citizen Scheme’s Nomination Video

Runners up :

Watch SAFA Nomination Video     Watch  Waleny 1st Responders Nomination Video

Carer of the Year 2015

Sponsored by Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group

Furness Carers

website Carer 2015 Furness carers LBA2015 - 85 copy

Carers need care and attention too!

Furness Carers have been nominated for the support they give to both adult and child carers who look after family members.  They continuously raise funds to provide adult and young carers with advice and guidance, respite care and social opportunities.  Furness carers recognise that the caring role can dramatically affect carer’s lives and leave them isolated.  They work hard to provide a counter balance.

Watch Furness Carers Nomination Video

Runners up : Amy Healey & Amanda Shepherd

Watch Amy’s Nomination Video     Watch Amanda’s Nomination Video

Teacher of the Year 2015

Sponsored by BAE Systems

Roxanne Marks

website Teacher 2015 Roxanne Marks LBA2015 - 92

Teachers often go the ‘extra mile’ when it comes to the children under their care and the school they work in.

Roxanne has been nominated for the dedication and hard work she puts into Greengate Infants, where she is not only the reception teacher but also assistant head teacher, one of the youngest in the Furness area.  Roxanne runs the school’s PTA, has redesigned the reception class area and has successfully raised money for the school in her own time.

Watch Roxannes Nomination Video

Runners up : Liam Reid and Claire Prosser   & Vicky Bell

Watch Liam and Claire’s Nomination Video       Watch Vicky’s Nomination Video

Courage Award 2015

Sponsored by Furness College

Andrea Edwards

website Courage 2015 Andrea Edwards LBA2015 - 114 copy

Personal courage is all around us with people rising to the challenges they face daily.

Andrea has been nominated for being at the heart of fundraising work undertaken for cancer charities in the local area, raising over £10,000. A young mother and wife, Andrea has been battling aggressive breast, lung and brain cancer. She has remained bright, bubbly and enthused about turning her own problems into a drive to help others.

Watch Andrea’s Nomination Video

Runners up : Kairen Thackrah & Cumbria Constabulary

Watch Kairen’s Nomination Video        Watch Cumbria Constabulary Nomination Video

Sports Volunteer of the Year 2015

Sponsored by Siemens

John and Claire Greenwood

website Sports Vol 2015 John and Claire Greenwood LBA2015 - 106 copy

Sometimes an interest in sport turns into a passion, then into a true vocation.

John and Claire Greenwood have been nominated for the efforts they have made as Chair and Secretary of Walney Wind Cheetahs in setting up the Cheetah’s Cubs section.  As part of the Cubs, over 100 children under the age of 16 took part and completed the 2014 Walney Family Fun Run.  John and Claire organise and attend every session, effortlessly engaging with the children and passing on their passion for running.

Watch John and Claire’s Nomination Video

Runners up : Stuart Wallace & John Sherwen

Watch Stuart’s  Nomination Video      Watch John’s Nomination Video

Environmental Award of the Year 2015

Sponsored by Vattenfall

John Watson and Team

website Environmental 2015 John Watson LBA2015 - 100 copy

Committed action can make a big difference to our environment.

John Watson and his team of volunteers have been nominated for the beach cleaning they do at North Walney National Nature Reserve.  Started in August 2013, the team has collected more than 2 tonnes of litter.  Key to this is John, who not only encourages people to volunteer and keeps them motivated but also analyses the rubbish found to identify educational projects that will make a difference.  Despite being moved to work in Aberdeen he makes it back to his hometown of Barrow, on weekends, to get stuck in.

Watch John’s Nomination Video

Runners up : Irene Cannon & Grove Veterinary Practice

Watch Irene’s  Nomination Video     Watch Grove Vet’s Nomination Video

Community Focused Business Of the Year Award 2015

Sponsored by Ward Group

A Stitch Different CIC

website CFB 2015 Stitch Different LBA2015 - 121 copy

Parents and carers of disabled children have a lot to do.

Some start a business!  A Stitch Different has been nominated for the work they do in creating therapy products for people with sensory disorders and the organisation of awareness and fundraising events.  Established just over a year ago what started as a personal project has become a growing business, providing employment and meaningful activities which feed back into our community.

Watch A Stitch Different CIC Nomination Video

Runners Up: 

Watch the Bay Radios Nomination Video     Watch Women’s Community Matters  Nomination Video

Ambassador Award 2015

Sponsored by Cumbria Police Crime Commissioner

website Ambassador 2015 Anne Attwood LBA2015 - 158

Anne Attwood

Anne is the current Principal and Chief Executive of Furness College and has worked there since 2001. In recent times she has overseen the £43m investment and new build which sees the site now cater for around 5,000 students. The college now works in partnership with the University of Cumbria, Lancaster University and UCLAN, providing excellent higher education opportunities for the people of Barrow and the Furness area.

Talking to the Times business supplement in 2012 about the opening of the new Furness College buildings Anne said “… the work here is a joy and so is Barrow as a place to live.”

In July 2013 Anne was made an honorary fellow of the University of Cumbria in recognition of her outstanding contribution to further and higher education in Cumbria. The award was presented at the summer graduation ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral.

In October 2014 Anne also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cumbria wide CN Group Education and Learning Awards 2014 (otherwise known as the Golden Apple Awards).

The person nominating Anne for Love Barrow Awards Ambassador said she has “Done a superb job as Principal of Furness College over many years. But over the last few years, her total commitment and determination has resulted in our town having one of the best further/higher education colleges in the whole country. The facilities at the college are marvellous and are testament to Anne’s magnificent persuasion and negotiation skills and her never say die attitude.” 

All of the photos on this page can be purchased through the official Love Barrow Awards Photographer Love It Studios

www.loveitstudios.co.uk           07739 517349

info@loveitstudios.co.uk           81 Buccleuch St, Barrow in Furness, LA14 1QQ

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