Virtual awards ceremony honours ‘amazing work’ of inspiring Calderdale volunteers

Winners galore were the main themes of this year’s Calderdale Community Spirit Awards on Monday.
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The annual award ceremony, streamed via YouTube, highlighted extraordinary successes across Calderdale, and shone a light on the amazing work of the third sector, during a year when coronavirus dominated national headlines.

The event was organised by the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) and saw groups and individuals awarded for categories including Best Fundraising Campaign and Outstanding Individual Achievement.

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CEO of CFFC, Steve Duncan said: ”This has been a tough year for many of us with the floods in February and then Covid-19.

Eye-catching performances have been sorely missed across Calderdale during lockdownEye-catching performances have been sorely missed across Calderdale during lockdown
Eye-catching performances have been sorely missed across Calderdale during lockdown

"This has been a tough year for so many of us with the floods in February and then Covid-19, and while the Community Foundation has been busy mobilising donations and distributing grants to the frail, elderly and vulnerable. These were four very special people who were passionate about the Foundation in its mission to help to improve the quality of life for people in Calderdale have passed away.

"The Foundation and Calderdale have lost Lord Shutt of Greetland Founder of the Foundation, Dame Ingrid Roscoe former Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and Foundation President, Tony Gartland Foundation donor and trustee and Martin Olive former Chair of the Foundation. It was important to honour four very special people with a short tribute film immediately prior to the Awards event.”

Scooping top spot for the Arts and Culture award was Shared Harmonies, a group who use singing improve health and wellbeing. Best Fundraising Campaign was awarded to ‘inspirational’ Neil Davidson, who raised £35,000 for charity Community CPR Fund.

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The Best Marketing award was given to natural flood management campaign Slow the Flow. Calderdale Light House picked up Best New Charity, while Society for Neurodiversity (S4ND) won Breakthrough of the Year.

Steve Duncan, CEO of CFFCSteve Duncan, CEO of CFFC
Steve Duncan, CEO of CFFC

Sowerby Bridge Rotary Club picked up Charity of the Year; Caroline Beardsmore and Louise Reed were joint winners for Outstanding Individual Achievement; Paul Farrell won Volunteer of the Year; and Andrew Naylor was the final winner with Young Community Champion.