Well done to our Community Champions 2024

It was a great honour to celebrate the amazing work of volunteers during our Community Champions Awards last week.

We invited all nominees and their guests to a celebration evening at St Gerard’s Parochial Centre in Lostock Hall.

We were also joined by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Paul Wharton-Hardman, who was awarded a BEM for volunteering last year.

He spoke passionately about the impact volunteering has on communities: “The work all volunteers do is not just an act of kindness - it is also a powerful force that builds a strong sense of community spirit.

“Thank you to Progress Housing group for making this event happen and showing recognition to the people within their communities for the work they do.”

Jacqui De-Rose, Chief Executive of Progress Housing Group, presented the awards to the winners and was in awe of everyone’s dedication.

She said: “This was our fourth awards event and it was wonderful to be here together and celebrate the work of these amazing people, many of whom are our tenants.

“Over the past four years, we have had nominations for 48 groups, 71 individuals, and 15 young people. This year, we received 34 nominations for people who are doing fabulous volunteering for our communities.

“I want to say an enormous thanks to all those who nominated these fantastic individuals and to our panel of judges, who took the time to go through the nominations and rank them.

“Thank you also to Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Wharton-Hardman for joining us to help present the awards and the team at St Gerard’s for serving us wonderful food.

“And finally, thank you to our volunteers - we really do appreciate what you do.”

Congratulations to all the winners: 

Groups 

Gold: Community Network Outreach Service (CNOS) 

Silver: Fylde Food Community Hub  

Bronze: Team Base 

Highly commended 

Friends of Leyland Station 

Guardians of Nature 

Heartfelt 

iHope Fylde 

Leyland in Bloom 

Menopause Support Group 

Radio Leyland 

Team Kickabout 

Wade Hall Community Association 

Individual Community Champion 

Gold: Keith M  

Silver: Ron C 

Bronze: Sophie W 

Highly commended:  

Gareth C 

Graham L 

Jackie W 

Jennie B 

Joan M 

Megan H-B 

Pat U 

Peter B 

Tracey H 

Young Community Champion 

Gold: Luciana G 

Silver: Shaye S 

Bronze: Rebecca S 

All gold, silver and bronze winners received a One 4 All shopping voucher, worth between £25 and £200.