Community Champion of the Year was awarded to Alicia Armstrong, a leukaemia survivor who has since set world records at swimming in the World Transplant Games. Alicia is also an ambassador for organ donation, and I was delighted to welcome her and her mother Maria to Westminster recently.David Kirsopp was nominated for his decades of service to Haydon Bridge United AFC, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. I met with David and his wife Avril at the football club and really enjoyed being shown the fantastic facilities they have at the club.
I also met Alan Bland who has raised £700 in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance by taking part in car rallies, and nine year old Josh Newton who was crowned Under 8 Champion at the Scoot Sport GB National Finals as part of Scoot Fest. Other winners include Joan Russell, one of the founders of the Prudhoe Community Allotment, Thelma Brown for her service to the Brownies and Guides, and Evelyn Weightman who founded the Northern Head and Neck Cancer Fund.
My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our winners, and of course to Gareth Jones of RedHot Property for so kindly sponsoring the awards. If you would like to nominate someone for an award, please do get in touch and let me know!
