MIDDLESBROUGH’S unsung heroes have been recognised for their key contributions to local growth, regeneration and community spirit.
The first ever Civic Community Awards event held at Middlesbrough Town Hall build on Middlesbrough Council’s prestigious and long-running Citizen of the Year Award.
Local people and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to life in Middlesbrough were honoured in nine categories.
The annual Citizen of the Year Award - for an individual unsung hero or inspirational community leader, who has gone the extra mile to make a difference for others and improve the life of the town - was this year given to Maggie Lan.
Citizen of the Year, Maggie Lan (centre)
Maggie set up a charity named Possibilities Made BeLievable whose aim is to work in the community, with the community, by gathering food, children’s clothing, footwear, prams, pushchairs, highchairs, cots, bedding, towels, etc and deliver them to families that need them.
In 2018 Maggie and the other volunteers saw over 70 deliveries to families. This included 18 deliveries of five days of food to families at Christmas. Ball gowns and suits for three young people to enable them to attend their prom were also donated. This year Maggie has nine suits and 29 ball gowns to donate to young people.
The full list of winners for the first ever Middlesbrough Council-organised Civic Community Awards is:
- Improving Employment Opportunities for Residents Community Award sponsored by Stagecoach - ACTES.
- Improving Employment Opportunities for Residents Business Award sponsored by Faithful & Gould - Hardwick House.
- Improving the Health & Wellbeing of Residents Community Award sponsored by Gleeson - Feast of Fun.
- Improving the Health & Wellbeing of Residents Business Award sponsored by Everyone Active - Recovery Connections.
- Improving Educational & Vocational Capability Community Award sponsored by Middlesbrough College - Locardia Chidanyika.
- Helping People to Improve their Educational & Vocational Capability Business Award sponsored by Teesside University - Bungalow Partnership.
- Making People Happier Award sponsored by Holiday Inn Express - Claire Higgins.
- Making People Happier Business Award sponsored by Ramsdens - Off the Ground.
- Making Physical Improvements to our Neighbourhoods Community Award sponsored by Logic Architecture - Hemlington Angling Club.
- Making Physical Improvements to our Neighbourhoods Business Award sponsored by Ashall - NONDeT.
- Citizen of the Year Award sponsored by M&S - Maggie Lan.
Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive Tony Parkinson said: “There are so many groups and individuals who give their time making Middlesbrough the special place it is.
“The Civic Community Awards event at the Town Hall epitomised what we mean when we talk about Can Do People, Can Do Place and we heard so many inspirational stories.
“The awards will continue to build on that by involving and recognising those communities, businesses and extraordinary people whose tireless support for friends, neighbours and communities makes this such a great place to live.”
Judging panels in each category comprised senior Middlesbrough Councillors and officers, representatives from Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) and the award sponsor.
Recovery Connections, winners of the Improving the Health & Wellbeing of Residents Business Award
