The Swansea Bay Radio Community Awards with Tesco were held at the Towers Hotel & Spa on Thursday April 10th. The evening was hosted by Mike Doyle who was joined by a number of special guests including South Wales superband The Storys, West End star Peter Karrie to name but a few. However the biggest stars of the evening were our winners...
Business Person of the Year with Business and Vehicle Finance Swansea
Jeff Tucker is a director at Howard & Palmer Estates who are behind many developments within Swansea. He is responsible for overviewing the construction and property management. Recent projects include The Moorings on SA1 and THE Langland Bay Residential flats. These ventures alone have provided employment for over 400 men.
Contribution to the Community with JLA Recycling
Daniel Richard Thomas spends all his spare time volunteering with community groups. He’s been dedicated to St John’s Ambulance for the past 10 years and is an active member of Swansea Forum and GSP, that works to make Swansea a better place. As well as his work in the community he looks after his aunt who is diabetic, doing her shopping, taking her sugar levels everyday and helping around the house. He has a heart of gold and is always puts others first.
Young Carer of the Year with Gower Coast Properties Mumbles
Georgia Wiltshire has cared for her mum for most of her life. Mum Karen suffers with severe arthritis which limits her mobility and causes a lot of pain. Our winner helps mum do most things like going to bed, getting up in the morning, preparing medication & her food before going off to school. Her gran helps but she has been getting over breast cancer. Our Young Carer has no other family around to help and she worries about her mum a lot but never complains about the things she has to do to help where as most young people complain about tidying their bedroom!
Child of Courage with Blazers and Sunnyhaven Caravans
Ffion Elen Caines has been fighting cancer since she was 5 years old. She is now 11 and has endured months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and her courage is truly an inspiration to us all.
Contribution to Charity with Dyfed Menswear
Laura Bolton set up and runs Bikeability in Swansea. The charity was setup in 2006 after realizing that there was no provision for people with disabilities in the Swansea area to enjoy the pleasures and health benefits of cycling. Laura has worked tirelessly on the project that brings joy to the users, many of whom have never had the chance to ride a bicycle and never imagined that they would.
Good Samaritan with Biomorphic, St Mary’s Square, Swansea
Sean Stillman feeds the homeless every morning from Zac’s Place in Swansea. He lets other people use the building and has time for everyone. He also hosts a variety of charity events to help fund this and other causes
Contribution to Sport with Trade Centre Wales, Neath Abbey, Neath
Clive Henson runs Mumbles Rangers Boys And Girls Club. Now in its 58th year the club is entirely voluntary and runs 22 football teams including 3 girls team. He came to play for the club (playing into his 50’s) and remained, going through the offices before becoming club chairman. His dedication and contribution to the club more than impressed the judges.
Outstanding Achievement with Taylor’s Etc. Plasmarl, Swansea
Pat Ricketts has been a foster mother and carer for over 30 years. She’s now approaching retirement age and also cares for an elderly gentleman. She also helps the social services with respite care at short notice. Her door is always open for those who need it, even at Christmas when she has been known to cook for 15 people! She has fostered between 8-10 long-tem placements and around 20 short term. She’s made a massive difference to the lives of so many people and that’s why the winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award is Pat Ricketts.
Young Achiever of the Year with Admiral Insurance
Harri Jenkins hasn’t let cerebral palsy get in the way of competing for Wales at international level in wheel chair racing and swimming. He has broken 2 British records for under 15’s at the age of 11. As well as being in the Welsh Athletics and swimming team he is also the Welsh representative for the charity Whizz Kids. He is doing a marathon in his wheelchair for charity. He is due to have surgery this summer but tackles everything with great courage
Mum of the Year with Jac's Crafts, Swansea Enterprise Park
Being a Mum is a tough job, and we received a large number of entries in this category, however the judges were impressed with the winner’s determination and obvious dedication to her children. She is a mother of 3, 2 of which are disabled. Although she has herself suffered from bouts of ill health she has never let this stop her and she’s never complained. And since one of her children suffered from renal failure, she’s worked hard to raise money and awareness of kidney transplantation. These are just some of the reasons that the Mum of the Year is Marion Comaskey.
Dad of the Year with The Towers Hotel And Spa
David Glyndwr Thomas from Pontardawe and was nominated by his daughter Hannah. Hannah says “My dad is kind, generous and hard-working. He’s a paramedic Ystradgynlais and also for the Wales Air Ambulance in Swansea, and even when he’s been working nights saving lives, he takes me to school and picks me up. He’s the best and I love him very, very much!”
Teacher of the Year with Tesco
Our Teacher of the Year runs the hugely successful breakfast club in her school and is heavily involved in all kinds of charity and community work. She runs and supports the Sunday school locally and also gives up a lot of free time during the holidays to take local children on day trips to the parks. She is an inspiration! Our Teacher of the Year is Moira Bibby
Photos will be online soon, keep checking back!
