Celebrating Lancaster and Morecambe's local heroes

For we are proud to unveil our Sunshine Award winners for 2020 and sprinkle some tales of positivity about in these challenging times.

Lockdown led to the cancellation of our glittering annual Sunshine Ball at The Midland Hotel, but we were determined to honour the many remarkable nominees who have done so much for the area in the last 12 months.

Here are our very worthy winners:

Community Group Award: Lyrics & Laughter (now changed name to Music and Memories)

This group is for people living with dementia or memory problems and their carers and family members.

It has been proved that music and singing greatly improves the wellbeing of people whether they have these issues or not.

The group meets their needs by providing songbooks which are brightly coloured and in larger print so they can all sing songs old and not so old, old hymns and some rounds which are greatly enjoyed.

Carers and family members also find the group fun and they also also find respite in talking to other carers about the challenges they face. This is so therapeutic for them. The sessions end with tea and cake and all the team sit with the guests to enjoy a time of talking, laughter and friendship.

The group began in October 2019 and meets in Carnforth Free Methodist Church.

“We are highly delighted and humbled to have won this award” said Marilyn Thomson.

Charity Fundraiser Award: Keith Ainsworth

Keith was known as the Sooty Man for fundraising £500,000 locally for the RNIB using the Sooty collection boxes.

He spent 35 years volunteering and it was one of his greatest achievements in life to be able to reach the half a million mark before he passed away in March.

Knowing how proud Keith was when he received the Radio Lancashire Community Hero Award 2019, he would have been overwhelmed at receiving this award for his charity work for the RNIB.

Keith went into St John’s Hospice on Lancaster on January 7 for respite care. During his time there, he was able to reach his final goal of raising £500,000 thanks to his family, Radio Lancashire and the hospice staff.

Keith’s wife Carol would like to thank all her wonderful family for all their support and everyone who voted for Keith.

“He would have been so proud,” she said. "Mr Sooty Man’s family are proud to receive this in his honour.”

Keith’s granddaughter Emma added: “I’m really proud of what he achieved and I love that he didn’t give up on helping others even when he was going through hard times of his own. Thank you so much for recognising his hard work.

Health Hero Award: TFL Fitness

Tina and Andy run their small gym and fitness centre and service in the West End of Morecambe and have been running this for around two years.

They are passionate about sharing their journey with their members through their work, having been overweight and unhealthy themselves just a few years ago.

They are committed to working in a less well-off part of the area with an unusually cheap, no contract membership for their services, so that they can attract people who might normally be unable to afford to go to a gym and improve their health and lifestyle.

“We are absolutely over the moon to not only have been nominated for the award but to actually win it makes us really proud,” they said.

“ However, without our lovely members this wouldn’t have happened so we’re so thankful to them.

“When we started the goal was to help people make positive changes through healthy eating and exercise. We wanted to provide a safe, friendly place for people to come where there was no judgement, to exercise through fun fitness classes and make new friends.

“We are still doing classes online to keep our members safe in the current climate.”

Sustainability Award: Eggcup

Eggcup is a new not-for-profit organisation focused on food poverty and community building.

Its mission is to ensure that good food reaches people who need it within the Lancaster City Council district. Eggcup is a surplus food redistribution centre for the Lancaster district.

“We’re thrilled to win this Sunshine Award in our first year of operation – and what a year it’s been,” they said. “During the crisis we’ve stopped huge amounts of food from going to waste, much of it from local businesses.

“Working cooperatively with our partners in the Food Poverty Alliance, we’ve been able to successfully redistribute it every week to our members across the Lancaster district area.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the work of our fantastic volunteers who’ve showed up come rain or shine to help.”

Bravery Award: Harry Roberts MBE (RNLI)

Harry was a volunteer for the RNLI for more than 30 years and was responsible for saving 77 lives, before he had to retire due to ill health.

“I would like to thank you for the nomination and being chosen as the recipient of this award for bravery,” he said.

“I would like to say that I don’t consider myself as brave! I did the job I did for the RNLI because I wanted to help people who found themselves in trouble, and always worked as part of a well trained team.

“I have recently had to retire from the lifeboats due to ill health and would like to say I enjoyed being part of the team, and assisting people who found themselves in difficulties in the bay for the last 34 years.”

Young Achiever Award: Lauren Helme

Lauren is 17 years old and a student at Ripley St Thomas CE Academy, Lancaster.

Lauren has represented both her primary and secondary school in a number of sporting activities throughout her school years. Lauren is a true World Champion who puts her heart and soul into everything and her dedication and commitment is second to none.

“I was extremely surprised to hear that I had been nominated for a Sunshine Award and delighted when I was informed I had won,” said Lauren.

“Following the disappointment of not gaining a place on Team England for 2017, I trained extremely hard and was ecstatic when I gained a place on the Junior team for the following season to compete at the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida, for both England and an elite team from Manchester – RS Ellipse.

“Becoming a World Champion and a bronze medalist in the same year made me realise that perseverance and dedication can lead you to achieve your goals, even when the path to success is not always straight.This is what I educate to the younger children I coach for Bay Stormers.”

Business Award: M.J Catterall

MJ Catterall is a family business started in 2014 and growing rapidly, providing many employees in the local area with full-time jobs and 10 apprentices with an apprenticeship in the electrical industry.

“I and MJ Catterall are committed to the future of Morecambe,” said Matt Catterall.

“As both a resident and a business owner in the town I have a strong alliance to its success and future.

“When MJ Catterall was shortlisted as a finalist for the Sunshine Awards it was a humbling moment. The hard work that has gone into building and protecting this company’s brand has been recognised by the local people.

“The business award section saw some strong contenders and its an honour we were chosen as the winners.

“The company has carried out various charity works and sponsorship deals in order to support local.

“For example, we support Morecambe FC, Vale of Lune RUFC, Heysham Cricket Club, Morecambe Golf Club, Bay Stormers and Paintmine Woods.

“We have supported charities such as Unique Kidz, Macmillan cancer support and Bipolar UK. If I could provide any advice for other businesses in Morecambe that’s to shop local, support fellow business owners and work hard.”

Sport Award: Morecambe Prom parkrun

Morecambe Prom parkrun was started in April 2019 by a small group of dedicated volunteers. Since it began it has brought 1000s of individuals and families together creating a supportive community, meeting every Saturday morning at 9am.

Between 200-300 people each week new to running and fitness as well as seasoned runners support and encourage one another. The team of volunteers are out every week, encouraging and supporting everyone over the finish line. They are truly hi vis heroes.

“Our Morecambe Prom parkrun community is proud of the success of its volunteer-led weekly run,” they said.

“Saturday at 9am on the prom offered a fun milestone every week for marshals and runners alike. Some saw the run as an athletic challenge, others as a weekly stroll together with supportive friends. All shared a love of the panoramic Morecambe Bay.

“The parkrun is not dead, only resting. Many of our participants continue to share their runs through apps and the (not)parkrun digital event. We can’t wait to welcome you all again when the time is right!”

Entertainment Award: Joanna Jeffreys

Joanna has been the musical director of Morecambe Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (MAODS) since 2006.

The society itself has been delivering entertainment in the local area for more than a century.

Six years ago, Joanna set up St John’s Hospice Choir; initially as a wellbeing group for staff and volunteers at the hospice.

As well as raising vital funds, the choir is also in a position to bring to the local community, through entertainment, an awareness of the wonderful work that the hospice does.

“I am astounded and thrilled to be the winner of this award,” said Joanna.

“The last 15 years with MAODS has been rewarding and enjoyable in too many ways to mention.

“I have been fortunate to be the musical director of shows such as Evita, The Sound of Music and Grease and made lifelong friends and memories to treasure.

“My love for music started at a young age and will stay with me always.

“In 2014, I established the St John’s Hospice Choir where I am privileged to work. The choir goes from strength to strength and has successfully raised £26,400 towards the essential care that the hospice provides.

“I am proud to be associated with both organisations and delighted to have been acknowledged for my efforts through the Sunshine Awards.”

Unsung Hero Award: Joanne Halliwell Woodward

Joanne works hard to make sure that people with learning disabilities and people with mental health can go to a safe place and be themselves without bullying, providing free facilities for all.

She said: “I’m so delighted to have won the award for unsung hero. Over the years I’ve been in entertainment I’ve worked along some fabulous people for all sorts of different events such as Alzheimer’s, CancerCare, Wigs 4 Kids, Teem Reece, Mencap, Help the Heroes and Safeplace for Autism making lots of friends along the way. I didn’t even realise I’d been nominated so I was so happy to have made the final and so very happy to learn I’d won the award.”

“I love how music can inspire children and adults and how my singing and music can make them enjoy music in general plus watching them enjoying dancing games for the old and young brings smiles to their faces.

“I’ve met lots of friends over the years and keep in touch over Facebook. I’ve done lots of weddings, birthdays and christenings etc meeting some wonderful people.

“I truly love my job.”

Good Neighbour Award: Karen Ginnochio

Karen Ginnochio set up and runs local community Facebook page All Things Overton.

Amongst village chats, Karen dedicates hours every day to keep residents up to date with local news and travel news, local events and businesses and services that they can turn to for help.

She researches local history and photographs and film clips to share and for many elderly residents to have daily news and social contact is really important.

Karen said: “After having a few difficult years due to illness myself I feel extremely happy to receive this award because it shows the time and effort I put into the group and helping others is appreciated and recognised.

“I do have to add though that it’s the members that help make it the warm, welcoming and helpful environment that it is today and I would personally like to thank all of them for that, and last but in no way least, I’d like to thank Juli Scanlan who is a group admin for her help and support with the group throughout.

“Thank you for my award and nominations.”