Unsung Heroes finalists announced (From Wiltshire Times)

Unsung Heroes finalists announced

3:54pm Wednesday 17th January 2007 in News

Following the launch of our Unsung Heroes competition in November, readers nominated more than 30 people for an award in our three categories - Volunteer of the Year, Charity Fundraiser of the Year and Good Neighbour of the Year.

The initiative, which was backed by local civic leaders, aims to reward those who selflessly give up their time to help others. Three finalists have been shortlisted for each category and it's now down to you, our readers, to vote for your favourite.

The winners will be announced at a special ceremony at the headquarters of competition sponsors Airsprung Beds on Monday, February 5.

Andy Sambidge, editor of the Wiltshire Times, said: "Many thanks to everyone who took the time to nominate local volunteers. Any of the finalists would be worthy winners while everyone nominated should be proud of their efforts."

To place your vote for this year's Unsung Hero

CLICK HERE.

The nominees for charity fundraiser of the year are:

MARTIN CHANDLER

MARTIN Chandler has raised more than £17,000 for charity over the past 20 years.

The 53-year-old, from Hawkeridge, who runs the gardening department in Knees, Trowbridge, has dressed up and organised sponsored walks and raffles to raise money for cancer research units in Royal United Hospital, Bath.

"I dress up on Christmas Eve and I used to just do it for a laugh but then someone suggested I raised some money for charity," he said.

"I suffered from cancer 25 years ago so I got in touch with RUH and they said while they had a lot of support for the cancer unit, the cancer research unit was not funded by the NHS so I started collecting for them."

His wife Shirley has also battled cancer so money from sponsored walks has also been donated to the breast cancer unit in Bath. Much of his fundraising work is carried out through work in Knees, where he has worked for 34 years.

ALEXANDER MISSEN

A PENSIONER who has helped raise more than £50,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been nominated as charity fundraiser of the year.

Alexander Missen, 76, of Somerset Crescent, Melksham, has been organising the Seend car boot sale for 15 years, despite undergoing a triple heart bypass and having to be up at dawn almost every Sunday between Easter and October. Mr Missen was nominated by his sister, Jean Christmas.

She said: "He really deserves this because he always spends his time thinking about other people and helping them."

The entrance fee at the Seend car boot sale, which runs every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday throughout the spring and summer, weather permitting, goes to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Mr Missen said: "Somebody told me I'd been nominated but I thought it was a joke! I've really enjoyed doing the sale for all these years because I've met all sorts of people doing it."

BETTIE WEBB

BETTIE Webb has been a member of the Bradford Townswomen's Guild for the past 37 years.

As part of her service, the 81- year-old has run the guild's craft group for the past 20 years making a host of items sold to raise money for charity. The group has also made blankets for premature babies at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol.

Each year Mrs Webb organises the guild's response to the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal.

Mrs Webb, of Budbury Close, Bradford on Avon, was nominated by Valerie Boon, who praises her selfless attitude and dedication to helping others.

Mrs Webb said the guild supported her after her husband died. "It has been my rock. They are a real support to you. I have made some really good friends," she said.

Reacting to news of her nomination, she added: "I don't deserve it. I have enjoyed doing what I have done."

The nominees for volunteer of the year are:

PAT PENNY

PAT Penny has been helping vulnerable teenagers troubled by pregnancy, homelessness or abuse for the past 20 years.

Setting up charity the Vine Project, now called Volunteers Investing Neighbourly Encouragement for Pregnant Abused Teenagers (VINE for PAT), Mrs Penny has worked tirelessly to help young women in need. Mrs Penny, 64, of Heathershaw, is on the verge of realising her dream through the opening of a hostel in Fore Street. In addition to providing teenage girls with a safe environment, the hostel will act as a base for counselling sex abuse victims.

Mrs Penny was nominated in the category of Volunteer of the Year by Christina Edwards.

Speaking about her nomination, Mrs Penny said: "It has come out of the blue. I have just done what I have done for years and years for the people of Trowbridge. I just see it as being a neighbour and don't see it as anything outstanding."

VAL PRIDDEY

GIVING up her time to help realise the ambitions of others, Val Priddey has been co-running a talent group for young singers for the past seven years.

Along with Sally Boyle, Mrs Priddey founded the Starry Eyes Performance Foundation to give young people the chance to perform in front of an audience and develop the confidence needed to show off their talent.

Starting off with weekly workshops at the Longfield Community Centre, in Trowbridge, Starry Eyes now lays on shows at events across the county, as well as staging its own talent show once a year.

It has even been commended by the police for bringing down crime rates on the Longfield estate. Mrs Priddey, 58, of Waterworks Road, was nominated by Christopher Tong and Stella Chatfield.

Mrs Priddey said she was shocked to be nominated.

"I feel absolutely stunned. It is a fabulous surprise," she said.

JENNY CLEMENTS

A DEDICATED hospital campaigner who has devoted countless hours over many years to good causes is in the running for the Volunteer of the Year award.

Jenny Clements, of Church Street, Westbury, is the chairman of Westbury Hospital League of Friends and has been secretary of the town's United Reformed Church for more than 20 years.

She is a governor at Matravers School, chair of the governors at Westbury Infants, as well as a governor of Lowbourne Infants in Melksham and even acts as a trouble-shooter for Wiltshire County Council helping schools resolve their difficulties.

On hearing she had been nominated for the award, Mrs Clements said: "I'm absolutely shocked to have been put forward."

Mrs Clements has also been involved in a host of other schemes and projects, including the Town Twinning Association.

She was nominated by Peter Ager, a family friend.

Nominations for good neighbour of the year are:

DAPHNE SQUIRE

DAPHNE Squire, 71, of Priory Park, Bradford on Avon, has been nominated for being an exceptional neighbour to a friend who was ill in hospital for much of last year.

Mrs Squire's son was delivered by Irene Ward, now 97, and the pair have remained close ever since. "She was a district nurse and a midwife and we developed a friendship. We also had a nursing connection as I worked as a nurse for the NHS for 43 years," said Mrs Squire.

Just before Christmas 2005 Mrs Ward suffered a severe stroke and was admitted to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

While in hospital Mrs Squire visited her as often as possible, did all her washing for her and made sure she had what she needed. She continued her support when Mrs Ward was transferred to Chippenham and Melksham hospitals and now she is in Westbury Nursing Home, Mrs Squire still visits her friend and does whatever she can for her.

LINDA PEARL

LINDA Pearl, of Avon Road, Melksham, was nominated for her selfless devotion to her housebound neighbour.

Her nominator Becky Woods said since her mother had moved to Melksham, Linda had been a vital part of her life.

When her mum started to lose her mobility she needed someone to walk her dogs and Linda volunteered.

"That was about six years ago now and Linda is still taking my mother's dog out. But she has become so much more than just a dog walker," said Mrs Woods.

She has given the dogs vital medication, takes them to the vet and dog parlour and looks after the animals at a moment's notice.

She has also helped out in other ways like collecting prescriptions, painting the garage and calls on her neighbour regularly.

Mrs Woods said she knew she could always rely on Linda to keep an eye on her mother and was also her link to the outside world and believes all of her efforts deserve to be recognised.

DOWNS VIEW

EVERY resident from one road in Bradford on Avon has been nominated in our Good Neighbour category.

People living in Downs View have been put forward by a fellow neighbour for their caring attitude.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I am nominating all my neighbours in Downs View in Bradford on Avon because they are all so friendly and helpful and always have been.

"If you needed any help you could be sure they'd give it.

"I consider myself lucky to live in this neighbourhood.

"This is a really close-knit community where if you have a problem, you know someone will be willing to help," added the nominator, who says she has lived in the road for more than 20 years.

"It's a great little place to live and the residents should all be praised for their friendliness over the years. Even the new ones that move in seem to pick up on the friendly atmosphere."