Eight local people and groups have become the first to receive Knowsley’s Mayor’s Volunteer Awards, recognised for the time and care they give their neighbours.
The inaugural awards were presented by the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Ken McGlashan, at a full council meeting on 18 March.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of Knowsley’s communities, giving their time, energy and compassion to help others,” the mayor said.
Among those honoured was Bettina Dooley, named Environmental Champion of the Year, who has litter-picked the Tower Hill estate in Kirkby for more than ten years. Kate Kelly, of Swanside Community Centre, took Volunteer of the Year for driving residents to a lunch club and visiting isolated neighbours with hot meals.
Kacie Price was named Young Volunteer of the Year for mentoring and coaching young boxers, including children with special educational needs and disabilities, at Stalker’s Academy.
The Good Neighbour awards went to Elaine Parr in Kirkby, who supports vulnerable neighbours alongside a full-time hospital job; Sharon Riley in Halewood, who helps run a local nursery; Stephanie Tomlinson, who runs a community hub and food club for residents in Stockbridge Village; and Rosina Jackson, of Cronton, who organises trips and activities for those around her.
Kirkby Christian Fellowship was named Community Group of the Year for supporting residents of the Beech Rise and Willow Rise flats through difficult times and running free activities for the area.
The awards are set to become an annual fixture in the borough’s calendar.
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