The day has arrived – the team of judges will be locked in a room at #LBA HQ until pink fluffy Love Barrow smoke comes from the chimney!
But who are these mysterious judges? Mysterious no more – as we can reveal all about them right here!
Phil Rodgers – Programme Controller – The Bay Radio
“My role is to look after the programming team at The Bay broadcasting across the Furness Peninsula, South Cumbria and North Lancashire. The Bay has been a main partner for the Love Barrow Awards for many years and we enjoy broadcasting live from the event each year recognising the amazing local heroes in the community. From competitions and promotions, to larger scale events such as the Christmas Lights switch ons and community festivals across the area I love to get the station involved in the area we serve. Also I must be honest with you…I’m not The Phantom Of The Bay”
Clare Fitzgerald – Deputy Advertising Director at Furness Newspapers
“I have been in my role for the past two and a half years. As an organisation we are proud to be involved in the Love Barrow awards each year. It never ceases to amaze me how many truly inspirational people, doing incredible things, are part of our community. As an individual I am honoured to have been involved in the steering group over the past two years and look forward to the celebrating the tenth year of the awards in 2015.”
Martin Lewis – Corporate Fundraiser – St Mary’s Hospice
“I work within St Mary’s catchment area of Furness and the South Lakes developing relationships and establishing working partnerships with businesses who are looking to support the work that the team at St Mary’s Hospice undertake on a day to day basis. The role is a very varied one, but is hugely enjoyable, and I am proud and privileged to be able to contribute in my own way to the work that the superb medical team at St Mary’s Hospice undertake both at the Hospice and out and about within our community.”
Tony Callister – Firefighter with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and aBarrow Borough Councillor
“I am very passionate about Barrow serving as a firefighter and district councillor and supporting local football representing the Football Association. Barrow has served myself and my family well giving many opportunities to succeed and lead a good life in a beautiful part of our peninsula.”
Milly Pyne B.E.M. – School Student; Voluntary Worker
“I’m 16 years old and currently in year 11. I’ve been involved with the Love Barrow Awards since receiving the Young Citizen Award in 2012. Along with my school studies, I’ve been volunteering at Oxfam in Ulverston for just over a year, which is very rewarding and enables me to meet lots of different people. I’m also a Young Ambassador for Alice’s Escapes, which sees me doing anything from paperwork in the office to helping with the changeover days in our holiday caravans. I love the outdoors and successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, while raising £12,000 for charity remains one of my all time highs! I find the judging process very difficult and could usually choose more than one winner from the incredible nominations received.”
Vicky Pyne – Charity Founder; Voluntary Worker
“My name’s Vicky (although I’m probably better known as Alice’s Mum)! My sole purpose in life, is to continue the incredible legacy that Alice left behind – both by increasing the bone marrow registers and by ensuring that every family with a seriously ill child gets an Alice’s Escapes break. When I’m not volunteering, I’m happiest on a mountain with Milly, Simon and our faithful Labs, Mabel and Lottie. I’m honoured to be involved with the Love Barrow Awards in this, their 10th year. The vast majority of nominees go about what they do, without seeking recognition and, for me, that makes the Love Barrow Awards all the more special.”
John Irving – Police Constable with Cumbria Constabulary
“I am a Police Officer currently seconded into Cumbria County Council. I have been involved with the Love Barrow Awards since its beginning, some 11 years ago. We have always had a small but very good committee who organise these awards and I would like to thank each one of them for their support over the years. I must also thank our generous sponsors that have helped us every year. I have had the pleasure to meet our 74 winners and 201 short listed nominees during the past 10 award evenings. They are all amazing people doing so much for individuals and our community. This is what makes Furness a great place to live.”
Keiron Christian – Youth Coordinator for Drop Zone Youth Projects
“My name is Keiron Christian I’m 23 and I am the Youth Coordinator for Drop Zone Youth Projects who deliver a variety of youth provisions in Barrow, Dalton and Askam-in-Furness for young people aged 8-21.
This is my second year as a judge and am happy to have been invited back to help the judging process.
I have myself received an award from the Love Barrow awards for Young citizen of the year and am very happy to now be a part of the panel who have the difficult decision of selecting a finalist from each category to be this year’s winner.
Good luck to you all and thank you for your work, dedication and time you put into our community.”
Oh, and me, Darren McSweeney –
“Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a… oh hang on, getting mixed up there, try again…
Local campaigner, newspaper columnist, soon to be unemployed engineering manager (gizza job?), father of two cracking boys, husband of one beautiful wife, lover of everything Barrow and Furness, the place & the people, finalist in last year’s awards, blogger for this year’s awards and honoured to have been asked to judge..”