Youngsters scoop overall category award from audience vote.
Radio Kidz lead by Luke Bennett, not only won the category for young achievers but also stole the people’s choice on the celebration evening as overall winner of all six categories.
Luke, who has a passion for radio and supporting youngsters to learn about radio since he was 11, has now, with a panel of other youngsters just secured funding from the Bournemouth Youth Opportunities Fund. The £25,000 grant approved recently, will help to set up a permanent Radio Kidz studio at Springbourne Christian Centre.
Leader of the Council Stephen Macloughhlin presented Luke Bennett and Dave Jordan from Radio Kidz with their overall winner trophy at the end, of what had been a very exciting evening.
Councillor Macloughlin said how important it was to look at and celebrate the achievements of the community, voluntary sector and individuals who make a daily unselfish contribution to our society.
With over 100 people attending the Neighbourhood Management Awards, the evening got of to a great start with the energetic and fantastic sound of the Bournemouth Community Choir, with 30 of their voluntary members performing on the night.
And that was exactly what this night was about people putting their time and energy into their community, either as individuals or working in groups to help provide facilities, events or offering a service.
Six Categories of awards were celebrated with 53 entries in total, so it was a particularly tough job for the judges to pick the winners from each group – so hard in fact that under the Partnership Award there were joint winners; Neighbourhood Wardens, Dave Hamilton and Hannah Beech shared the winning trophy with Jo Galloway from Extended Services Through Schools.
Under the Community Group of the Year Category Friends of Chine Gardens were the winners with Councillor Chris Wakefield with Dave and Tina Thompson collecting their trophy.
Three other categories saw very worthy winners under:
Community Champion – Anne Gardner.
For her selfless service to the charity The Crumbs Project which she established over 10 years ago.
Business in the Community – Coastal Credit Union who are based in Boscombe and are a financial co-operative offering savings and loan accounts to all who live or work in the area.
The Cultural Diversity Award won by Piyanan Tepnarin for her work with the Thai Language School based at Kings Park Primary School, Boscombe and for co-ordinating the annual Thai Festival in Kings Park.
What a start to the first ever NM Awards in Boscombe West and Springbourne.
