VOLUNTEERS, gymnasts and dedicated fundraisers were just some of Swindon’s finest who were rewarded for their efforts at the Pride Of Swindon Awards.

The fourth Pride Of Swindon ceremony took place at the Steam Museum yesterday and saw the winners honoured and presented with certificates, and the overall winners presented with special badges too.

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges after nominations from members of the public.

Swindon mayor Ray Ballman addressed the crowd and said: “You all help to make the town a better place. You make life so much better for the people you help.

“I think you are all wonderful people and you work so hard for the community. I thank you all very much from one of the community, thank you.”

The overall winners’ names will also be engraved on a plaque in the Central Library.

The awards, which were presented by Shirley Ludford, recognised the work of 37 inspirational individuals who were all given certificates for their hard work.

Overall winners included Paul Bentley, of the town centre, for his work with the Swindon and District Samaritans and James Tombling, of Pinehurst, for his work with St John Ambulance Bob Barrett received an award for his work with Swindon 10 to 18s project.

Peter Mallinson was recognised for his work with the Walcot shop and library.

And David Stump was recognised for nearly 50 years of service with the Scouts, Paul Wilkinson was rewarded for his fundraising efforts.

Ian Cooke, of Haydon Wick, was rewarded for 12 years of service as a governor for the White Horse Federation and Bonny Walsh, of Liden, was praised for her work with Swindon Limbless.

Tessa Farr was recognised for her work as a coach for Swindon Dolphins, John Petrie was rewarded for his work with the Swindon MS Therapy Centre and Eunice Salmon was praised for her work with Wiltshire Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Thousands of pounds worth of grants from Zurich Community Trust were given to Reach Inclusive Arts, Independent Visitors, Swindon Limbless Association and North Wiltshire Motor Neurone Disease Development Group.

There was also a posthumous Sandy Martin award which was presented in memory of the late BBC Wiltshire DJ.

Pride of Swindon winners

Individual Winners:

  • Charlie Lawer
  • Anthony Moglione
  • Paul Wilkinson
  • David Stump
  • Ian Cooke
  • Peter Mallinson
  • Eunice Salmon
  • Bonny Walsh
  • Bob Barrett
  • James Tombling
  • Jackie Jefferies
  • Sarah Purnell
  • Paul Bentley
  • John Petrie
  • Tessa Farr
  • Clive Archer

Team Winners:

  • Independent Visitors
  • Rex and Sandra Barnett
  • Salamandar
  • Friends of Young Carers Esprit Gymnastics

Sarah Purnell

THE founder of Koala Swindon Opportunity Group was rewarded for her efforts in the community.

Sarah Purnell, 54, of Cheney Manor, started the group for children who have just been diagnosed with learning disablities 25 years ago when her daughter, Caroline, who suffers from severe learning difficulties and epilepsy, was just three.

The mother-of-three, who also set up Swindon Interactive Arts Service, said she felt humble after winning a Pride of Swindon Award.

“I just enjoy doing the work, I never expected to be rewarded like this,” she said.

Charlie Lawer

AFTER a youth mentoring charity helped Charlie Lawer turn her life around, she decided to help others too.

The 18-year-old, of Gorse Hill, was referred to SMASH Youth Project at the age of 13 after being arrested for assault.

The teenager, who is now a mentor for the charity and hopes to go into nursing or midwifery, was given a Pride of Swindon Award yesterday.

“SMASH did so much for me and I wanted to give something back. I am a mentor now and a trustee. I am just trying to help them as much as they helped me,” she said.

“They turned my life around. I would be lost if it wasn’t for SMASH.

“It is brilliant to get a Pride of Swindon Award.”

Jackie Jefferies

NINETEEN years of service for St John Ambulance has led to a Pride of Swindon award for Jackie Jefferies.

The 63-year-old, of Highworth, joined St John Ambulance because she wanted to know what to do in an emergency.

She was inspired when one of her senior managers at work had his fifth heart attack. “I was there and I didn’t know enough. I couldn’t have stopped what was going to happen. I thought well perhaps in the future I can,” she said. “It is humbling to get a Pride of Swindon Award. I wasn’t expecting it.”