07 August 2006

There is cause for celebration for a bunch of local heroes in South Ribble thanks to a council partnership that included Progress Housing Group and Accent North West .

The winner's selfless efforts to serve the community have been recognised as part of South Ribble Borough Council's annual Community Achievement Awards scheme.

Nominees Renee Blow, Janie Ogilvie, Mark Anthony Wareing, Francesca Ainsworth and the Walton le Dale Youth Groupreceived prestigious awards to mark their outstanding contribution the South Ribblecommunity.

The winners were presented with trophies and certificates in front of a packed audience at the Civic Centre, Leyland.

The decision process was based on the candidate's contribution to the South Ribblecommunity through voluntary work, caring for vulnerable or disabled people, offering advice or support or raising cash for charity.

South Ribble Borough Council joined forces with BAE Systems, Sawle & Co Solicitors, the Disabled Information & Advice Centre, Progress Housing Group and Accent NW to honour South Ribble's unsung heroes.

The Community Achievement Awards were set up to commemorate the lives of Vaughan Seddon, a council youth and development worker who died tragically in 1999 and Joe Schultz, a charity worker who set up the Leyland Disabled Advice and Information Centre during the seventies and passed away in 2001 after a long illness.

The award categories and winners were:

• Vaughan Seddon Trophy - Renee Blow
  
• Joe Schultz Award - Janie Ogilvie
  
• 16 yrs and under - Francesca Ainsworth
  
• 17 to 30 yrs - Mark Anthony Wareing
  
• Group Award - Walton le Dale Youth Group
  
  Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member with responsibility for community services , said: "We always have a huge response from residents nominating people for these awards and it is good to see such a strong community spirit. The people of South Ribble should be proud of the winners and the contributions they have made deserved to be recognised. This is our sixth successful year of these awards and long may they continue."