High Sheriff recognises Devon's outstanding citizens
The High Sheriff, Robin Barlow, is recognising residents in Devon who have performed exemplary acts of good citizenship, and will be presenting 13 awards on 6th February at County Hall.
Robin Barlow says; "These people are a remarkable group of individuals, each of whom in their own quiet way has been doing something very special. I am delighted to be able to present an award to them. They are a credit to their community and county."
"These people are very often part of a team and as such epitomise the extraordinarily strong ethos of volunteering in communities that I have witnessed in my travels round the County as High Sheriff. Many of them are helping those who find themselves in a difficult position through no fault of their own. I also applaud those who have carried out acts of selfless good citizenship, sometimes performed at considerable personal risk. There are many more residents in the county who also work tirelessly and often voluntarily for the good of others, and these awards I feel, are representative of so many others."
Five of the recipients are being recognised for their courage in dealing with the consequences of a crash or collision on Devon's roads. They give their time to speak at presentations all over the county as part of a road safety initiative called Learn2Live which is about the potential dangers on Devon's roads. They talk about their own personal stories in order to contribute towards this important road safety scheme. The aim of the project is to inform students about the dangers caused by speeding, drink driving and distractions such as using mobile phones.
The recipients from Learn2Live are, Helen Brennand from Plymouth, Eve Atkinson from Lifton, West Devon, Ali Morrish from Exeter, Lesley Fathers and her son Ashley Cousins from Winkleigh
Other winners are...
Joy Taylor, Deputy Activities and Volunteering Manager for the University of Exeter Students' Guild who is responsible for organising, training and leading the Welcome Team – a team of approx 150 volunteer students. The Team help students move in, find their way around, and ensure they have a safe time. They also help the police during Freshers Week, keeping students out of the road, marshal queues outside busy nightclubs and provide support to students who have over-estimated their capacity for alcohol - by providing basic first aid and/or escorting them home. This allows the team to focus on the prevention of disorder and dealing with potential flare-ups early. Throughout the week Joy drives the team with a mixture of enthusiasm, determination and a firm hand and is highly respected by both students and staff.
Sheila Miles who has for years been providing hot meals for the homeless in Exeter. She has been unflagging in her commitment to this task and has become a familiar face to those without home or support in the City.
Lee Duke, managing director of Chasing Paper Ltd in Saltash for working with Devon Prisons supporting offenders both in custody communities. (Through Chasing Paper). At HMP Exeter Lee has now initiated accredited training for Offenders in waste management, qualifications that are recognised in outside industry. Furthermore Lee then identified opportunities for Offenders from Exeter, on transfer to Dartmoor to continue their training in waste management there. work experience in the waste management industry, it also has the real potential to reduce their reoffending and as such support all of our communities.
The Shekinah Mission, which operates a range of services across South Devon including Factory Row and Growing for Life in Torbay, its employees and volunteers make a huge contribution to the support of the homeless, drug users and ex-offenders. In providing a stable environment and counselling, it seeks to guide disaffected members of the community back to a responsible and productive way of life.
Mr Steven Broomfield for his part in helping Devon and Cornwall Police in tracking down a prolific offender wanted for major fraud and money laundering. Mr Broomfield set up a small covert camera near his post box and was able to catch the suspect on camera who had been stealing post from various post boxes in the neighbourhood. The offender was charged with over 40 offences of fraud and subsequently imprisoned.
Sally Chapman and Churches Housing Action Team (Mid Devon) Ltd - CHAT was founded in 1993 by Sally Chapman. She had seen the need to help young people into accommodation and set up A Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme and then went on to giving housing advice in the Tiverton area. Subsequent grants meant CHAT was able to employ two additional workers and CHAT began tenancy support work to prevent tenancies from breaking down. It now has a Youth Housing Project and Housing Advice and Tenancy Support in addition to an Emergency Food Store and a whole raft of charitable activities.
Liam Goodwin from Honiton for his help in preventing a crime and identifying two offenders. Liam called police after seeing the offenders trying to break into a property. He was subsequently attacked by the offenders but continued to chase them until the police arrived. Despite being threatened with a knife, Liam Goodwin’s community spirited, selflessly brave and determined actions resulted in the two males being charged with their assaults on him and one of them being charged with possessing a knife.
Tony Short, a retired Police Officer and his wife, Christine, a retired nurse from Bideford who have volunteered with Wings Youth Club for over ten years since it first opened its doors to young people. They faithfully help out each week; Chris looks after the bar area and kitchen, and is a kind and gentle listener to young people and other volunteers, as well as taking responsibility for all First Aid needs. Tony helps by tidying, mending and doing general maintenance as well as fulfilling a valuable role as the Health and Safety Coordinator.
