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Another teacher nomination to tell you about, Linda Hawden has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year category at the 2015 Love Barrow Awards.

Linda Hawden has a background  in social care and used her experiences to be part of the team that introduced Barrow to Sure Start. Linda worked hard to encourage parents to be able to empower themselves in working in their communities and developing their neighbourhoods. Linda has been instrumental in many projects introduced into the area,many of which are still viable and continue to encourage and support families.

“Linda has continued helping people by becoming a tutor, offering her guidance, help and knowledge in the classroom. The support Linda offers goes above and beyond the guidelines. Linda will arrange extra tuition and catch up sessions in her own time and also offers to help go through your portfolios to ensure your work is at an acceptable level. If anyone is struggling Linda will simplify and introduce work sheets to help pupils gain understanding and be able to ensure they understand everything, again all in her own time, in and out of the classroom.”

The nomination form is full of praise for Linda and her commitment –

“Anyone Who Meets Linda loves being taught by her and wants to be adopted by her, her caring and love is that special.”

“NOTHING is too much trouble”

“If you need a favour or help in anyway if she can Linda will offer support and advice and do her best for a positive outcome.”

Linda had a serious fall earlier this year – breaking her neck – but she continues to be upbeat and support all those who know her.

Even through adversity, “she finds positives in her daily life making some of us ashamed with our petty moaning.”

Congratulations Linda on your nomiantion.

DO YOU KNOW A TEACHER WORTHY OF A LOVE BARROW AWARD NOMINATION? REMEMBER THEY DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO WORK IN A SCHOOL, LAST YEAR’S WINNER WAS THE LEADER OF THE A590 YOUTH THEATRE, GRAHAM BARKER.

NOMINATING SOMEONE IS EASY AND IT CALL BE COMPLETED ONLINE BY USING THE LINKS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.

It’s Friday!  Or as I like to call it,  “Day 5 of the hostage situation” – only joking!

We do love Fridays here at the Love Barrow Awards HQ and this one is no different, we’ve got an inbox full of new nominations for the awards and I’m here to tell you a little bit about them all.

Here’s a great one to start with  – a “Courage” award nomination for local lad Tyler Baines.

Tyler was three years old in 2006, when his family were involved in a horrific car accident on holiday in Spain, this left Tyler n a critical condition after suffering hip, pelvis and internal injuries. To date he has had over 40 operations and will have ongoing problems from the accident for the rest of his life.

Tyler has been nominated by one of his young friends – the nomination form is a wonderful testament to the bravey of this young lad – it says that although wheelchair bound, Tyler is always smiling and never lets his situation get him down.

He’s a sporty lad and plays basketball every week – he has represented at North West level and has his sights on a Paralympic appearance in the future.  With his courage and determination there’s a real possibility that could happen one day.

© Love Barrow Awards – Image supplied by Mark Baines

He loves spending time with his friends and family at the caravan park at South Walney and has taken part in their “It’s a Knockout” competition, again, not letting his disabilities stop him.

Tyler is always helping at home with his younger brother and three younger sisters and his parents are very proud of him. A few words from his friend sum Tyler up –

“We all benefit from Tyler, he’s a great friend and so brave, he helps other kids be brave.”

Good luck Tyler and congratulations on your nomination for the Courage Award – it’s a really well deserved nomination.

Wendie (affectionately known as “Wendie Woo”) is known throughout Barrow – a tireless volunteer for all the groups and organistaions she is involved in.

Like many other nominees in the Love Barrow Awards, Wendie never expects recognition for her contribution – it’s a testament to Wendie that the nomination form states that  “Nothing is ever too much and she would give you her last penny.”

Wendie is known for her sense of humour and her smiles fill everyone with happiness, her love of life is contagious.

“Her love will encompass you especially when you receive a hug or two. She has the ability to be loved by everyone who meets her and has a knack of reading people and knowing when they need cheering up.”

Wendie once worked in hospital radio – a well known home of volunteers looking to help others, she was well known through this work, especially on bingo nights! She is a Sunday school teacher, youth worker and loves helping out with crafts at St. Mark’s Church “Messy Marks” activity sessions.

She holds crafts and cookery sessions in the holidays for free –  spending her own money on materials. Wendie assists with fundraising for “boxes of hope” as well as the packing in the warehouse of the shoe boxes. Wendie supports and helps through collections for Help the Heroes and Marie curie cancer and is involved with many other charities as a collector.

I couldn’t fit everything that Wendie does to help others on this page, it’s an impressive list!

Against the odds?

After being diagnosed with cancer she had a chance to relax. ..No Chance!  As well as fighting cancer it made her more determined to get everything out of life as well as encourage all around to laugh lots.  Her humour is a big part of who Wendie is as well as her hugs..when you have had a hug you know someone loves you!

As you can tell, Wendie is a worthy nominee for Citizen of the Year – good luck Wendie in the short-listing process for the Awards night.

BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!

A third nomination in the Love Barrow Awards Group or Project of the Year category – recognising the work of local entertainer Lisa Gaga – aka Lisa Pearce, Lisa Hart, Elsa- Princess of Arendelle, Madonna.. the list goes on…

So how does a Princess find herself nominated for a Love Barrow Award? By her determination to organise events for the people and children of Barrow – she’s long held the dream of providing events for children and her “Marvellous Events” organisation has gone from strength to strength – she’s certainly  “Let it go, let it go” and now “Can’t hold it back anymore!”

The nomination form states that Lisa “has lightened up so many lives and brought happiness to these children.”

Lisa is praised in the nomination entry for her organisation and running of the annual KIDFEST event, which this year offered free tickets to some families who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend. She is further praised for her community work, such as visiting a hospital in character for very poorly children to brighten up their day.

“her kindness is ongoing and seems to be no end to the help she is willing to give”

Congratulations Lisa on your nomination.

DO YOU KNOW OF A WORTHY NOMINEE FOR A LOVE BARROW AWARD?

THERE ARE NINE CATEGORIES AT THE AWARDS THIS YEAR AND NOMINATING IS SUCH AN EASY PROCESS – JUST CLICK HERE AND FILL IN THE DETAILS ONLINE, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES AND IS A GREAT WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU FOR SOMEONE’S EFFORTS IN HELPING OTHERS.

The latest nomination in the Carer of the Year category , for FURNESS CARERS, has arrived on the doormat of the Love Barrow Awards HQ.

“Furness Carers help hundreds of young carers year after year by raising money to give the young carers breaks from caring and to give them the chance to have fun that other children take for granted. The young carers look after parents brothers sisters because they are disabled, long term sick or terminally ill. “

Furness Carers also help Carers who look after their Parents, Partners, Children by providing a sitting service to enable them to give the Carer a break for a couple of hours , fund raising to give them day trips and by providing a drop in centre.

They provide a service in doctors surgeries and hospitals by providing information on what benefits they are entitled to and how to get the relevant help if need be.

The nomination provides an insight into what Furness Carers provide to the service users – it is summed nicley in this quote from the nomination form –

“a life line, someone to talk to, someone to listen”

BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!

 

Here’s another nomination for the Courage Award category in the 2015 Love Barrow Awards – Gavin & Julie Andrews

Julie and Gavin tragically lost their only son Joe in a road traffic accident on August 2nd 2013. Joe was 19 years old when the accident happened early that morning and despite the efforts of medical teams and the transfer by North West Air Ambulance to Preston, Joe sadly passed away later that morning.

Despite their loss, Julie and Gavin were so grateful to the air ambulance service in trying to save their son that they set themselves a fundraising target for the charity.

The grief of losing your only child is difficult to imagine – to turn this situation around in some small way and dedicate their time to helping others by ensuring the continued running of the air ambulance service is a credit to them both.

Through many events and fundrasing days, including a charity match at Barrow AFC, they are well on their way to raising their target of £19,000, a £1000 for every year of Joe’s short life.

Nothing they do will ever bring Joe back or fill the hole in their lives – but others across the North West will benefit and lives will be saved by the dedication to fund raising of Gavin and Julie. Their work continues in memory of Joe, worthy nominees for the 2015 Love Barrow Awards.

We have our first nomination in the Courage award category for the Love Barrow Awards 2015 – Nicky Gwynne.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the awards and we’re seeing some great nominations – Nicky is no exception to this. All the nominations will be considered by the panel once nominations close and a shortlist of finalists will be compiled. These lucky finalists will be invited to the Awards night in 2015 where the Golden Envelopes will be opened and the winners in each category announced.

Nicky is suffering from Cancer but is always looking on the bright side and is still a very lovely caring lady, who is always willing to go the extra mile to help others.  It is exactly this kind of courage, helping others while dealing with adversity that the LBA seek to recognise.

The nomination recieved for Nicky states that she “is a caring, loving, lovely lady who is always looking out for others even though she’s going through Cancer at the moment.”

Do you know of someone who helps others whilst overcoming personal challenges? It’s easy to nominate someone, just hit the nomination tab at the top of the page, it only takes a couple of minutes.

Another “double” nomination, in the Sports Volunteer Category for the 2015 Love Barrow Awards –

JOHN AND CLARE GREENWOOD.

John and Clare work tirelessly together in their roles as Chair (John) and Secretary (Clare) of the Walney Wind Cheetahs running group.

John and Clare both retired from the teaching profession and wanted something to do which would fill their time and also keep them fit and healthy. They tried out the running group and enjoyed it so much that their contribution and participation just grew and grew. They developed from being runners with the group to taking a Run England Leadership in Running Fitness qualification.

Together with other members of the WWC John and Clare have been instrumental in setting up the Walney Wind Cheetahs Cubs section. This group initially catered for children of secondary school age. In it’s first year, 2013, many pupils of local schools took part in the twice-weekly sessions.

This year the decision was taken to open up the group to younger children. Accompanied children younger than 11 could now attend – amazingly the youngest runners this summer were aged 3 and 4. The success of the group could be judged by the fact that over 100 children under the age of 16 took part, and completed, the 2014 Walney Family Fun Run.

John and Clare organise and attend virtually every session with the Cubs. The time and work they put in is immeasurable. Not just the 2-3 hours per week actually running but the endless time spent keeping registers, contacting parents, liaising with schools and other local groups.

CONGRATULATIONS JOHN AND CLARE ON YOUR WORTHY NOMINATION

BREAKING NEWS – congratulations on making it to the final three in this category, see you on the red carpet at the Forum in March!

 

The nominations keep coming through – here’s one for the Sports Volunteer of the Year category – GERRY HOLLAND

Gerry’s involvment with football in the Barrow area goes back some way! He was awarded for FIFTY YEARS service to schools’ football in 2013- so my maths makes that 51 years now!

Gerry is a retired headteacher – during his time as head of Victoria Junior School in Barrow he ran the Barrow Primary Schools football and organised all of the leagues, fixtures and events across the region.   Earlier this year when the Barrow Primary Schools Football Association was launched, it was born from an idea initially thought of by Gerry. This group has now began to organise and take on the running of the school leagues and competitions but they are still utilizing Gerry’s knowledge, contacts and all round enthusiasm.

“Gerry has guided this group on the legalities of becoming affiliated to the Football Association, assisted with funding opportunities and generally being a point of call when we don’t know what to do.”

His tireless enthusiasm for providing opportunities for primary aged boys and girls has allowed thousands of children to enjoy football in Barrow area. Gerry is still highly active in the association and he still organises the Barrow School’s athletics tournaments in the summer term as well. Retirement has not stopped Gerry at all. He thinks nothing of dropping off kits to schools and turns up to all the tournaments and events.

This year the group decided to create a new trophy in honour of his amazing work. The Gerry Holland Football trophy had its first winners in May of this year. He is an amazing character, and if It had not being for him, Barrow Primary School’s football would not be where it is today. He was, and remains a driving force in providing sporting opportunities for children in the Barrow area.

Gerry is an incredibly humble and modest man. The fact he has been retired for so long but still wants to play an active role in the association is testament to his nature. Volunteer sums up Gerry. He does not have to do this, but he has for so many years.

Well done Gerry on your years of service to the town and on your nomination for a Love Barrow Award.

Do you know a Sports Volunteer worthy of consideration for the 2015 Love Barrow Awards? Hit the nomination tab at the top of the page, nominating is an easy process and a fantastic way to say THANK YOU to someone for their time and dedication.