Last week, I opened nominations for the Denton and Reddish Citizen’s Awards which recognise the efforts of local heroes who have gone above and beyond for the people in their communities, both before and during the Coronavirus pandemic.
So far, the response has been phenomenal. 255 people have nominated 50 local heroes!
I have always known that the people of Denton and Reddish are community-spirited, quietly engaging in amazing, supportive work on behalf of others. I have never been prouder to represent this constituency and I believe that the efforts of our local heroes should not go unnoticed.
Below are just some examples of the heart-warming work that is going on in our communities.
Andy Hughes is Denton’s very own Mr. Motivator! He has been using his personal trainer skills to livestream free workouts, 6 days a week. The impact Andy has had upon the physical and mental health of families in Denton and even New York (thanks to the power of the internet) is incredible, and he is not the only one making a positive difference.
Louise Park is also a personal trainer. She has been motivating people to keep a healthy, positive mind with her online support network, Strength and Soul. Her community in Dukinfield could not be more grateful for the lifeline she has provided, even as she has struggled with her own mental health.
It’s not just adults who are helping others. Brooke Healey, 7, has ran 100km in 4 weeks, raising £2,000 for St. John’s Ambulance – a brilliant achievement! Megan Bowers, 21, has been making and raffling customised glasses, raising over £1,300 for the Denton West End Community Library and Windsor House. Megan is a real credit to her generation!
Also nominated for a Citizen’s Award is Emma Ainscow (Wonder Woman), Carl Shaw (Spiderman) and the Dane Bank Characters. They have been using their daily exercise to spread joy to children, whilst helping to raise over £40,000 for NHS charities. Incredible! Teachers Paula Arkinstall Cook of Denton Community College and Mr. Mycroft of Manor Green Primary Academy have also been going above and beyond for others. So, too, has Dr. John Gunn – a hardworking, compassionate vet from Denton.
Thank you to everyone who has nominated their local hero so far. You can nominate your local hero for a Denton and Reddish Citizen’s Award on my website. Nominations will be assessed by a judging panel, with winners announced on a monthly basis.
You can nominate your local hero here on Andrew Gwynne’s website.
All nominees need to either live or have carried out commendable work in the Denton and Reddish parliamentary constituency. If you are unsure, you can enter postcodes here to find out if they are within constituency boundaries.