Leamington Mayor Cllr Alan Boad, in one of his last mayoral duties, said “These unsung heroes who serve our local community are inspirational people who are so deserving and need to be recognised for all their hard work, who gave their time and energies, in a wide variety of ways.
"It gives me great pleasure to recognise their achievements with this Mayoral Award.”
1. Leamington Mayor Awards 2024
COLIN ROBERTSON – Award for his substantial community fund raising.Colin has been a fundraiser and community supporter since the 1960s for the Round Table, the 41 Club,Rotary Club Leamington.He has helped raise substantial profits - for example the Regency Run which purchased a minibus forvoluntary organisations. The Santa Sleigh which provided Christmas parcels for the needy. He createdthe successful Cars in the Spa event that attracts 220 classic cars and raises funds for charities.As Rotary Club President, during Covid, the club still raised an amazing £15k for good causes in the town.He also trained as a counsellor for Relate and Cruse. Photo: Leamington Town Council
2. Leamington Mayor Awards 2024
KATE BECKINGSALE – Awarded for her vital mentoring and volunteering at Flourish offeringsupport to young girls.For her dedication as a volunteer over many years and a valued asset to the charity that supports girlswith their self-esteem and mental wellbeing.Kate sees girls weekly to deliver the charity’s mentoring programme. She is kind, sensitive and caringand does outstanding work for the girls. She takes time to get to know them and helping young peopleexplore ways for dealing with difficult emotions.Kate helped write and delivery a new set of assemblies to local primary schools to encourage supportingmental health. Kate has received outstanding feedback from those she has mentored. Photo: Leamington Town Council
3. Leamington Mayor Awards 2024
WARWICKSHIRE VISION SUPPORT (WVS) – Award for extensive work they do for the visuallyimpaired in Leamington. Accepting the Award Liz Thiebe (Board Chair) and Alison Jones(Volunteering Co-ordinator)WVS provide support and information to the visually impaired with a programme of events includingequipment to promote independent living with sight loss. Speakers help them remain informed about theircommunity, activities and social sessions.Also offering IT and magnifier sessions and can refer to rehabilitation service. The Social Club allowspeople to form friendships and develop peer support whilst learning to live with their disability, reduce theirsocial isolation and have fun. Photo: Leamington Town Council
4. Leamington Mayor Awards 2024
WELCOME HERE – Awarded for their support to asylum seekers and refugees to resettle afterarriving with next to nothing. Accepting the Award Tricia LeeFormed in 2017 it has supported 9 Syrian families assisted 20 Afghan families plus asylum seekers. Theteam of 6 volunteers has grown to 21 – the charity continues to be completely volunteer run.The ethos is to match a befriending volunteer to each refugee family to help access service and integrateand make friends in their local community. Supporting parents and children attend and communicate withthe schools. Refugees have been encouraged to volunteer, take on an allotment, attend English classesand to find employment. Photo: Leamington Town Council