Citizen of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Furness Building Society
Joint Winners – Joan Milburn & Irene Crabtree
The community would not be the same without certain familiar faces and their work in the area.
Sisters Irene Crabtree and Joan Milburn have been nominated for their charitable work, fundraising for a total of over 70 years, successfully raising £125,000.
Irene runs a local charity shop, presenting cheques to many local charities. Joan has been helping raise money and awareness for charities, specifically the blind.
Watch Joan and Irene’s Nomination Video Runners up : Darren McSweeney & Les McCleeseWatch Darren’s Nomination Video Watch Les’s Nomination Video
Young Citizen of the Year 2014
Sponsored by SDG Accountants
Jacob McSweeney
It takes something really special to turn a personal bad situation into something positive for the community.
Jacob has been nominated for his fundraising for Cancer Research UK. After discovering his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Jacob realised that others were out there in the same situation and used his radio station to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research. Starting with a modest goal of £50 he has so far managed to raise over £1,000.
Runners up : Harrison Holmes & James Cox
Watch Harrisons Nomination Video Watch James’ Nomination Video
Group or Project of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Turnstone HR
Barrow Food Bank
Sometimes a group brings out the best in people in the hardest times.
Barrow Foodbank has been nominated for the support, care, help and hope they give to people in real crisis. Sustained by an army of 153 volunteers and the generosity of the people and businesses of the area, Barrow Foodbank is an example of the community pulling together to make a real positive difference in people’s lives.
Watch Barrow Food Banks Nomination Video
Runners up : Walney Windcheetahs & Leonard Cheshire
Watch Walney Windcheetas Nomination Video Watch Leonard Cheshire’s Nomination Video
Carer of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group
Matylda Kenny
Some people care for others because that is who they are, even at a young age.
Tilly has been nominated for the care, love and support she gives her sister Tabby. Twins with a special bond, Tilly is always there for her sister, helping with her daily routine as well as raising money for charity. Tilly has changed her to life without a grumble or complaint to include Tabby and helps her sister feel like she doesn’t have a disability.
Watch Matylda’s Nomination Video
Runners up : Jeff Holt and Gemma Moorby
Watch Jeff & Gemma’s Nomination Video
Teacher of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Patient Memoirs
Graham Barker
Not all teachers can be found in schools but everywhere in our community where help, guidance and support is needed and given.
Graham has been nominated for the commitment he has shown to the A590 Theatre Group where young people of all ages can come and learn performance skills. Graham finds potential in everyone and can be counted on to provide extra help and extra time to learn lines despite having a full time job and a growing family.
Watch Graham’s Nomination Video
Runners up : Caroline Hoggarth & Kerry Griffin
Watch Caroline’s Nomination Video Watch Kerry’s Nomination Video
Courage Award 2014
Sponsored by Furness College
Andrew Madden
We all have difficult times but some are faced with great misfortune.
Andrew has been nominated for the courage and strength he has displayed fighting not one case but two separate cases of rare forms of Leukemia. After undergoing gruelling treatment for a year, Andrew still managed to remain positive and smiling, achieving great results in his GCSEs. Yet he received the tragic news that he had developed another form of Leukemia. Anyone would have crumbled but Andrew fights on with the courage and strength that inspires the community.
Watch Andrews Nomination Video
Runners up : Barrow RNLI
Watch Barrow RNLI’s Nomination Video
Sports Volunteer of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Siemens
Stephen Cairns
Sport can have a positive effect on people and communities. So too can sports volunteers!
Stephen has been nominated for the time and dedication he has put in to promoting sport in Askam Village School. And the resulting successes! He values all sports equally and refuses to accept gender biases or stereotypes, passing on sports skills and sports passion to the young people who want to learn them, which stays with them for life.
Watch Stephen’s Nomination Video
Runners up : Russ Walker & Kanji-Do Karate
Watch Russ’ Nomination Video Watch Kanji-do Karate’s Nomination Video
Environmental Award of the Year 2014
Sponsored by Vattenfall
Barrow Wildside
It is sometimes hard to spot the importance of the environment around us.
Barrow Wildside has been nominated for the work they have done for the rural, coastal and urban environments of our area. Through close work with schools and community groups they have engaged and interested the community through walks, training workshops and organising conservation work bringing the environment into the heart of Barrow.
Watch Barrow Wildsides Nomination Video
Runners up : Morecambe Bay Partnership
Watch Morecambe Bay Partnership’s Nomination Video
Community Focused Business Of the Year Award 2014
Sponsored by Furness Building Society
Deemon Performance Academy
Some business’ reasons for existing is to give back to the community they operate in.
Deemon has been nominated for the effort in supporting the dreams of acting, singing and dancing of our young people, opening doors for local talent in a competitive career. Deemon is a second home for their students, helping them build life skills, discipline and confidence as well as nurture talent. They have been running two shows a year for the last 15 years, raising £80,000 for charity.
Watch Deemon Performance Academy’s Nomination Video
Runners Up: The Bay Radio & Impact Furniture Service
Watch the Bay Radios Nomination Video Watch Impact Furniture Service’s Nomination Video
Ambassador Award 2014
Sponsored by Cumbria Police Crime Commissioner
Caroline Vernon
Caroline is the Headteacher at Victoria Junior School, Barrow.
Caroline has become a leading figure nationally in student led research and critical skills. The work carried out at the school helped to shape the national curriculum for primary schools and has been done in partnership with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
A spokesperson for QCA describes how they were able to “… seize upon work … observed in Victoria Juniors (to) help develop work on a national scale.” Similarly OFSTED hailed this work at the school as outstanding. Caroline has been working alongside other Barrow and Cumbrian head teachers during this work and has also begun to speak at national conferences describing the work around student led research and critical skills.
Caroline has led on the local Furness Learning Transition Project exploring issues around young people’s transition from primary to secondary school. Caroline has linked this work with Lancaster University. Caroline’s work has attracted further national attention including interest from the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education and the University of Wolverhampton.
More recently Caroline has visited the House of Commons to talk about her work as one of the founders of Furness Education and Skills Partnership, first in April 2013 to speak to members of the Education Select Committee and secondly in June 2013 to attend a launch of a new initiative about bridging the gap between education and industry.
Caroline is also currently on the steering group of the Inspiring Barrow initiative which aims to raise educational attainment and aspiration of young people across the borough. Caroline is also a governor at Furness College.
Watch Caroline receive her award at the awards
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