Tuesday 27 June 2006
Community champions named

Unsung heroes who go that extra mile to support their communities have been honoured with a special award.

Those who provide activities for the elderly and a young football coach are among this year's Community Champions, named by Bedford-based housing association BPHA.

The awards are run each year to recognise those individuals who work in partnership with BPHA staff to improve community spirit. Each have been nominated for going out of their way to make life that little bit better.

This year's winners were presented with certificates and cash prizes to spend on themselves and their groups.

Among them was 21-year-old Adam Boughton, who was selected for his work helping to set up and train Wootton Park Rangers FC - a football team created to get bored youngsters off the streets and onto the pitch.

Adam, a qualified fitness instructor, leads training sessions twice a week and takes the team to wherever the match is being played each Sunday.

He said: "It was hard work in the first year, as we struggled to get players and win games. But this season we really turned a corner and finished seventh in the league. We now have more players than we need and it has become really rewarding.

"I was gobsmacked when I heard I had won this award, but it is great and caps off a really good run for the team."

Another worthy winner is Grace Sheldon, who works to encourage community spirit in the Balliol area as chair of the Balliol Community Action Group.

The action group, which is mostly made up of BPHA residents, was set up in 2002 to help improve the quality of life for people in Balliol. Late last year, members held a cultural day to celebrate the multicultural nature of the area.

Mrs Sheldon said: "I was really proud to be named as a Community Champion, but the award is really for the whole group. I enjoy getting involved because it is giving something back to the community and just goes to show what can be achieved when you work together."

John Cross, chief executive of BPHA, presented the winners with their awards. He said: "This year's winners have all shown great commitment to their communities by going that extra mile to help others.

"Rather than simply providing houses, BPHA works hard to support the local communities it serves, and these individuals and groups have demonstrated that they share this aim.

"We are delighted to be able to recognise their efforts and look forward to hearing many more stories of local community-spirited residents and groups next year."

The full list of winners is: Joan Martin, The Tavistock Three (Bill Hutchinson, Mauricette Truba and Fred Smith), Margaret Jarvis, Grace Sheldon, Adam Boughton, Tom Davey, Barbara Clarke and The Goldington Three (Maggie Vince, Marion Souten and Pearl Bartram).