Pictured left to right: Liv Bennett, Peggy Crome, Lisa Wallis, Sue Wallis, John Howell, Jill Nathanson, Bill Buffery
On Friday March 17 we held our annual celebration recognising those who carry out inspirational, dynamic and significant work in the community. The glam soiree at Boston Tea Party, organised by Salt Media, saw a crowd of fab people come together to celebrate their local heroes.
Winners were announced by our CEO, Sue Wallis, as follows:
Inspiring Community Work sponsored by Petroc College of Further Education: Lisa Wallis who set up the charity Chemo Hero, delivering boxes of kindness to people starting chemotherapy, following her own diagnosis with breast cancer.
Inspiring In The Arts sponsored by White Moose: Bill Buffery and Gill Nathanson, working together as Multi Story Theatre Company set up Barnstaple’s Fringe TheatreFest after taking part in Canadian fringe festivals.
Inspiring Person Over 70 sponsored by Brewer Harding & Rowe Solicitors: John Howell is a qualified pilot and travelled the world with the RAF, worked as a GP and an assistant paediatrician, is a member of Heanton art group, chairman of the Chaloners Educational Foundation and last year abseiled down the St Augustine’s church tower in aid of NDDH Chemotherapy unit.
Inspiring Person Under 21 sponsored by Blue Fizz Events: Liv Bennett volunteers at the Wave Project, has been helping to coach at Women on Waves since she was 14 and has been a member of Croyde Surf Life Saving club since the age of 11.
Inspiring Sportsperson sponsored by Rosie Bracher Solicitors: Peggy Crome, a 73 year old triathlete who has represented Great Britain in the Age Group Team. Last year she completed the cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Inspiring Environmentalist sponsored by Salt Media: Martin Dorey started 2 Minute Beach Clean after the storms in 2013, using #2MinuteBeachClean the idea has spread around the world and there are currently 220 beach clean boards installed around the UK and Ireland.
£262 was raised for NDADA on the night through sales of tickets for a raffle organised by volunteer supporter, Dawn Stephens-Borg with prizes donated from a wide range of local businesses.
Students studying fashion, art and design at Petroc also helped make the evening a success by working with Alessia Sheldon, Shops Manager for our re:store charity shops. The team of students, lead by Whitney Cullen and Elspeth Mcdonald, were tasked with selecting pre-loved items from stock at re:store Barnstaple and creating on-trend looks for 6 models. Attendees were invited to see the models walk to the sounds of an original 60s record player to complement the vintage inspired looks which were put together.
