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Woman who has voluntarily
cleaned cyclepath for 15 years is first ever ‘Comm
A Midsomer Norton great-grandmother who has voluntarily given up her time to cleanthe Midsomer Norton cyclepath for 15 years has picked up the first North East Somerset ‘Community Champion’ award for her efforts to improve her community.
The award scheme, sponsored by Lloydspharmacy and set up by MP Dan Norris, seeks out ‘unsung heroes’ who do outstanding work to make their community a better place.
Ivy Goatcher was chosenfrom scores of nominations in the first round of judging of the awards. More rounds will follow later in the year. Mrs Goatcher was nominated by Audrey Gregory, who said she ‘deserves a medal’ for her efforts to keep the path litter-free for people walking or cycling on the path, which runs from behind her home in Northmead Road through to Welton.
Mrs Goatcher said: “I have been walking along the path for the past 30 years and it has just been one of those things that cropped up. I want to make sure the area is litter-free so people can enjoy it.”
She was selected for the award from over 80 nominations, all made by members of the public, by a judging panel including representatives from Lloydspharmacy, local media, Citizens Advice Bureau and family charities ERIC and Kidscape.
Dan Norris said: “When we launched Community Champions we hoped to find people who go the extra mile for no other reason than to make a difference, and Ivy Goatcher is someone who certainly does that.”
Having presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Goatcher (and to Mrs Gregory), Mr Norris said he is now finalising the prize she will be given. “It is important to be sure that this and future winners of the award get a prize which very closely match their interests, rather than giving a one-size-fits-all prize that might not be truly appreciated.”
He stressed that more nominations are now being sought for the award scheme. “Everyone knows someone in their community who really goes out of their way to help others,” he said. “Rather than taking this for granted, I’d ask people to nominate these unsung heroes as a ‘Community Champion. It’s one way to say ‘thank-you’.
“Community Champions are people who offer their time generously to give a helping hand to others, or who put much more into their work than just what they are paid for. They are not the celebrities or millionaires, but regular people who go above and beyond expectations to make a real difference to their community,” he added
People who wish to nominate a “Community Champion” for an award can do so by emailing dan@dannorris.org.uk, visiting www.dannorris.org.uk/communitychampions , or telephoning 01761 320023, Alternatively, people can collect a “Community Champions” postcard from their local Lloydspharmacy, or write with further details to Dan Norris MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. |
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