Heart of the community

Individual winner: Sarah Hobbs

When flooding hit her village last year, Sarah Hobbs quickly co-ordinated the local community to organise help for the affected properties and stranded drivers.

Following the floods, Sarah took the lead in setting up Pointon Emergency Group to investigate why they happened, and to prepare for other future emergencies.

This meant that when flooding struck again, the village was ready to help protect properties and signpost drivers to alternate routes.

The group is now fully fledged under the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, and Sarah has helped pull together many authorities to get the relief channel in the village cleared and re-instated, and the main drainage culvert inspected with underground cameras to assess any blockages.

As a member of the village hall committee, Sarah was the driving force for a successful VE day tea dance and hopefully bigger open air VJ day celebration is planned for later this year.

Sarah has also joined forces with Villagers and Pointon FC to set up a charity with the aim to renovate the rundown sports pavilion to provide modern facilities for local sports.

Nominating Sarah, Leanne Mansell said: “Her dedication and tireless work make her a true pillar of our village.”

Couple/Pair: Marion and Graham Foster

Kind-hearted Marion and Graham Foster of Lincoln are committed to supporting those who are homeless and other people who are struggling.

Marion is a trained chef and is proud to use her culinary skills to provide good quality homecooked food for those in need free of charge.

Helped by a team of committed volunteers, the couple run the Let Them Eat Cake initiative on Monday evenings delivering homemade hot food and drinks to those living on the city’s streets.

On Tuesday from 10am-2pm, Marion is part of a voluntary service operating out of Mint Lane Café which provides laundry and shower facilities to homeless people.

Recipients of both of these services are also offered basics such as clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags, as well as a friendly ear and guidance to organisations who may be able to help them.

In October Marion and Graham opened "Night Bite Cafe" at St Luke’s Church Hall, Birchwood, providing a safe, warm space for those in need. This is regularly attended by up to 25 lonely and vulnerable people with free hot food and drinks.

Nominating the couple, fellow volunteer Phil Morris said: “Marion and Graham are the most selfless people I have ever met and deserve recognition.”

Community Group – Bundles of Joy Louth Baby Bank

Inspired by the media coverage of a royal visit to a baby bank, Jill Makinson-Sanders set up Bundles of Joy in her home town of Louth four years ago.

Since then it has grown to become a vital local service and its dedicated group of volunteers have helped hundreds of young families with equipment, clothes, books, toys, milk and nappies.

Based at Louth Methodist Church, the baby bank is officially open twice a week, but can be opened at other times by arrangement.

A dedicated 10-strong group of volunteers pick up, then wash and clean donations, as well as delivering them.

The group works in partnership with playgroups, the NHS, schools and professionals, as well as the local women’s refuge.

Jill explained: “This isn’t just an award for us. It’s for Louth. Without the wonderful generosity of so many people this would not be possible. The support we get from our community is fantastic.

“And best of all we are a recycling centre second to none!”

Young citizen – Arturs Lacis

‘A legend’ is how 16 year-old Arturs Lacis is described by youth and community development worker David Swan.

For more than three years Arturs has been a volunteer helper at the Junior Session of Boston’s Carlton Road Centre Youth Club.

He always arrives before the session to help set up including moving furniture, preparing drinks, turning on the games platforms and general fetching and carrying.

Arturs then gets involved in running sessions, which can involve supporting team sports, making sure that gaming devices are equally shared, and providing a listening ear to younger attendees who may be feeling isolated.

He also serves up drinks, prepares food and, at the end of the session, helps with clearing up.

During the school holidays Arturs helps out with activity projects, preparing packed lunches, loading up the coach with water bottles, first aid kit and coolers, and doing shop runs.

David said: “Arturs is a quietly confident, selfless young man who makes little fuss and goes about his contribution in a calm dignified way. He is highly valued by both all the Futures 4 Me staff at Carlton Road as well as being liked by his peers.”

Congratulations

We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to send in nominations from across Lincolnshire and helped to make the awards such a success.

The winners took part in a special ceremony at Lincolnshire Show hosted by Lincolnshire County Council chairman, Cllr Stephen Bunney where they were presented with certificates highlighting their achievements.