By First-ever North East Lincolnshire Civic Award winners
The winners of the inaugural Civic Awards have been revealed following the award ceremony on Friday 11 March at Grimsby Town Hall.
People could nominate individuals, community groups or organisations for award categories, focusing on the community, environment, sport, and business.
As the evening progressed, the pride of the Mayor was evident as the spotlight was shone on those whose work was having a positive impact upon communities across North East Lincolnshire.
“I am just thrilled, so thrilled. We have a full house here, people from all corners of our borough and we are here to celebrate their fantastic efforts. They are all winners and together make a real difference to those around them,” he said.
The Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement went to Sam Delaney, the director of Creative Start CIC. Sam established his organisation when he moved to Grimsby – using creativity to offer support for people to affect their own personal change.
“Winning this is such a massive thing. When I moved here, I wanted to continue the work I had started elsewhere, and I knew it was the right thing to do. Grimsby has been so good to me allowing me to do the work that I am so passionate about,” said Sam.
The awards were given to the following:
Community Together – sponsored by Grimsby Fish Merchants Association – was for individuals, community groups or organisations involved in bringing communities together through a local project or community event.
The joint winners for this category were:
Jack Hennessy-Smith for his work with the Imm-spiration Skate Park at Homestead Park, Immingham.
Sunflowers Children’s Action Group. This small volunteer group was launched in 2019 to support children between 3-16-years-old suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Young Achiever – sponsored by YMCA Humber – celebrates an inspirational person, under 21, who has made an outstanding contribution by volunteering with the community.
The winner of this category is:
George Kavanagh, 17, has been a fantastic ambassador for St Andrew’s Hospice since the death of his father nine years ago.
Creative Excellence – sponsored by Healing Manor – was for those who have helped raise the profile of arts in the borough.
The joint winners for this category were:
Katie Watson, who volunteers at least three times a week with Immingham’s RAFAC (Royal Air Force Air Cadets).
The Culture House aims to strengthen Grimsby’s cultural offer, providing more chances to get involved in culture and creativity in the town.
Environmental Achievement – sponsored by Tiru (formerly Dalkia Wastenergy) – was for an individual or group that has worked to celebrate, improve, and protect the environment in which they live.
The joint winners for this category were:
James Elliott, also known to many as ‘The Canoe Cleaner’. His work cleaning up the River Freshney has received national attention with appearances on BBC’s One Show.
Grimsby & Immingham Community Recycling Centres. Matty Harlow collected the award on behalf of the centres. They were nominated for putting “so much effort to make recycling fun while also raising thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes with their bric-a-brac and bike sales”.
Youth Environmental – sponsored by Tiru (formerly Dalkia Wastenergy) – was for an individual under 21, or a youth-led community group or organisation that has worked to protect our local environment.
The winner of this category is:
Henry Nicholson, who at just eight years old but is already putting many adults to shame! When he noticed that litter was blowing into his school playground in Laceby, he asked if he could set up a club to start clearing it up.
Healthy Living – sponsored by Ish Fish – was for an individual or community group that has improved the health and wellbeing of people or communities in North East Lincolnshire.
The joint winners for this category were:
Joanne Wright, founder of the Sunflowers Children’s Action Group.
BeGreatFitness – Bailey Greetham-Clark. Bailey, now 19, overcame anxiety by taking up sport and boxing as a younger teenager. He was inspired to help others in the same way and established his organisation.
Sporting Achievement – sponsored by the Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner – was for a person, group or organisation that has helped create a lasting sporting legacy.
The joint winners for this category were:
Kyle Oakes battles against the restrictions that Cerebral Palsy put on him, overcoming them all to run marathons, raising money for organisations such as St Andrew’s Hospice.
Tape2Tape. Directors Nicola and Neil Pattison are the driving force behind the Ørsted Great Grimsby 10k and are passionate about the use of running and activity to bring communities together. You can sign up for the race here: www.greatgrimsby10k.com.
Business in the Community – sponsored by E Factor Group Ltd – recognises the businesses that have invested in North East Lincolnshire’s communities through sponsorship or other forms of support.
The joint winners for this category were:
Willie Weir, who runs the County Hotel in Immingham and has supported the installation of 15 defibrillators across the town. Meanwhile, his hotel has supported lorry drivers who were delayed in the town due to Brexit, and during the pandemic, he operated meals on wheels for the elderly.
Grimsby Garden Centre is a NAViGO-run facility that supports people to get back into employment. All profits are pumped back into mental health and wellbeing services in the local community.
(Photo: Jon Corken)
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