Community spirit lights up the town

ROTHERHAM is a town with a strong sense of community — and no-one has embodied that spirit in 2020 more than Jamie Kennedy.

Boxing coach Jamie, who has helped everyone from young offenders and drug addicts to people with mental health problems make positive changes in their lives, is the overall winner of this year’s Rotherham Advertiser Community Awards.

There has not been too much to shout about this year, but throughout the coronavirus lockdown and various restrictions people have helped each other as shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes, clubs and sporting organisations have been forced to close their doors.

Incredibly there are around 1,400 voluntary groups operating across the borough, most run by people who have been volunteering in their spare time, working without pay for decades — and these are the people who make you proud to live here.

That is why, following the success of last year’s event which received hundreds of entries, we launched the Rotherham Advertiser Community Awards 2020.

People nominated those who they believed had gone above and beyond the call of duty in selflessly helping out others and, although we are not able to stage an awards night this year for obvious reasons, we have picked winners in the various categories.

They will receive trophies and certificates, with overall community champion Jamie — chosen by representatives of our various sponsors — also switching on Rotherham’s Christmas decorations and tree last Friday.

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley said: “The entries were incredible and came from some unlikely sources, which showed that people really were pulling together through the crisis that has cast a shadow over most of 2020.

“The entries came from organisations who stepped up to the cause, but also from people who recognised the efforts of individuals who had worked so hard to support those around them, giving out free food, delivering essentials and, on occasions, simply making people smile through kind gestures.”

Unsung Hero and Overall Winner: Jamie Kennedy — Jamie was nominated in a number of categories for his work over 20 years and praise included: “He has tirelessly given his all to the community as a boxing coach to young and adults of all backgrounds. He’s helped people change their lives from young offenders, drug addicts, people with mental health issues or just your average person wanting to make a positive change and get fit. His gym goes beyond providing a space to train, but its inclusive family atmosphere builds community spirit and helps cohesion. They run groups to help young men’s mental and physical well-being and aid suicide prevention and he contributes his time and money to making Rotherham a better place for us all. He just likes helping others and is a proud Rotherham guy.”

Fundraiser of the Year Over 18: Asheem Dongaonkar — Asheem received numerous nominations due to his tremendous work after losing his close friend Michael, who died in Rotherham Hospice after suffering a brain tumour. He aimed to raise £25,000 in five years to thank the hospice for the care his friend received and has raised around £10,000 in just one year.

Fundraiser of the Year Under 18: Chris Buttle and Lexie Joinson — This 12-year-old ballroom and Latin dance couple started a project called Sensory Superstars, which raises funds to open sensory rooms in mainstream schools. After a very successful  fundraising campaign they opened their first sensory room at St Bernards Catholic High.

Young Achiever of the Year U18: Liam Knox — Thirteen-year-old Liam has autism, but that has not stopped him and his nomination said that after struggling to gain friends and not being accepted he found a new lease of life. “Over the past year he has put all his time and effort into martial arts and has gained the confidence to compete in his first competition and received a bronze award. He had extremely low self-esteem and confidence but has excelled and really pushed himself through the struggling time he has had. All he has ever wanted is to be accepted by others and after the hard work we can finally see a difference.”

Volunteer of the Year Over 18: Grace Wallbank — Grace has helped hundreds of people through her work with the When You Wish Upon A Star organisation and her nomination stated: “Grace has tirelessly and anonymously been the sole volunteer for our Wish Bear mascot in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. She has given up precious free time to appear at many events for our charity and been part of presentations, appeared at nurseries, supermarkets and fetes including being held hostage and released by the army while doing her A-Levels and very few people knowing it’s her.”

Community Contribution: POPS Outdoor Adventure — POPS received a number of nominations praising its work in providing outdoors fun and learning for schoolchildren. Nominations stated: “Adrian and his wife Natalie have worked really hard in and around the community, delivering outdoor fun to schools, after school clubs, parties and adult craft groups. It provides a service for working parents so that their children attend after school clubs where they provide snacks and fun and games, delivering outdoor skills and craft ideas.”

Lifetime Achievement: Rotherham Street Pastors — This group has worked for nine years and made a real difference to happenings during the town’s night-time economy, and the nomination said: “They walk the streets of Rotherham from 10pm often after a full day at work until around 4am to care, listen and help, often defusing anti-social behaviour, supporting vulnerable people and generally being a calming response to urban problems.”

Neighbourhood Project of the Year: Brinsworth Community Support — Based at St Mary’s Church in Catcliffe, this group was set up at the beginning of lockdown to help vulnerable people in Catcliffe, Brinsworth and Treeton. The nomination stated: “They reached out for donations of food and essentials and volunteers to help with deliveries and were immediately able to start supporting people as donations rolled in from individuals, local supermarkets and businesses. They are doing an amazing job on behalf of the community.”

l See next week’s Advertiser for Jamie’s story and pictures of him turning on Rotherham’s Christmas lights.