Published Friday 16 February 2018 at 13:33
LOCAL heroes who make a big impact to the lives of people in their community were celebrated at an awards ceremony.
The community champions were honoured at the Good Neighbours Awards, where their good deeds were highlighted.
Now in its fifth year, the event, held at King George’s Hall in Blackburn, recognises those that go the extra mile to help their neighbours in the borough.
Guests enjoyed food and music at the awards, which are organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council and supported by the Lancashire Telegraph.
The awards were sponsored by local manufacturer MGS Plastics, Blackburn Rovers, Capita, Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group and McDonald’s, which provided the trophies for the night.
Speakers included Harry Catherall, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, John Sturgess, managing director of MGS Plastics, and Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council. Councillor Khan gave out the prizes with the help of Mr Sturgess and Neil Garrity.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Colin Rigby and Jean Rigby, also attended the event along with MPs Kate Hollern and Jake Berry to celebrate the volunteers.
Graham Burgess, Chair of BwD CCG, David Duncan and Tony Perez of McDonald’s and Kaye Mahoney from Capita were in attendance.
Councillor Khan said:
Every single person who has been nominated has made a difference to the lives of people in Blackburn with Darwen. Every single person nominated has made the borough a better place.
Celebrating these amazing people is really important because the example they set inspires others. Together we can make Blackburn with Darwen the best it possibly can be.
I would also like to give big thanks to the sponsors as well.
We couldn’t put this event on without them and their support is invaluable.
The overall winners were Maria and Alan Greico, young sisters six-year-old Layla and nine-year-old Khadijah Ismail, Fred Rogers, Phil Boulding, Kat Zaman, nine-year-old Nathan Pugh and his mum Heidi, June Steele and Mohamed Yusuf Lorgat.