Winners announced at 19th Love Barrow Awards

The winners have been announced at the 19th Love Barrow Awards.

Ten local heroes and community superstars who go the extra mile to help others were recognised at a celebration evening at the Forum, Barrow-Furness on Friday.

Nominations from the community opened in the summer of 2023 with a Love Barrow Awards record of over 500 nominations.

These nominations were judged by the Love Barrow Awards committee, volunteers living and connected to the Barrow and Furness areas.

In each of the 10 award categories, three individuals or organisations were selected as finalists to attend the celebration evening.

More than 180 people attended this year’s awards where the guests watched the premiere of short videos about the fantastic work undertaken in the community by the finalists, before each winner was announced.

"I have been involved in the Love Barrow Awards for over 10 years and the awards go from strength to strength, directly recognising individuals and groups with the help of the people of Barrow and the surrounding Furness area," said DT Guest, chair of Love Barrow Awards committee.

"The awards are only possible due to the continued support we have from our fantastic sponsors, and I would like to thank them, and the committee who give up their time to bring the awards to life. Most importantly, I must thank the over 500 individuals and groups who make the area such a fantastic community. Everyone nominated deserves recognition."

During the awards evening a raffle was held, raising a sum of £1118.50.

Those funds were presented on the night to the Furness Homeless Support Group.

Dave Coverdale, organiser of the raffle, said: "Once again we have seen local businesses and individuals donate fantastic prizes. I would like to thank them for their kindness, as well as recognise the generosity of our guests."

Following the awards ceremony, all the flower arrangements from the tables were donated to St Mary's Hospice, Ulverston, taken by committee member and ex-Barrow Police Chief Rob O'Connor.

"Whilst serving as a police officer I would be invited to attend the Love Barrow Awards, and on my retirement, I was asked to assist on the committee," said Mr O'Connor.

"Throughout my years of attendance at the awards I continued to see individuals and groups of people who do so much good for this area. Those who have been nominated and received awards this evening should feel rightly proud of their achievements."

The winner of this year’s Love Barrow Awards Ambassador of the Year was Rebecca Robson.

Rebecca is the senior officer at Women's Community Matters and was recently recognised for her work when she was awarded an MBE in the Kings New Years Honours List.

Rebecca said: "I am really proud to be from Barrow, born and educated here, and I have my dream job working at Women's Community Matters. To receive this award on International Women's Day is really special, and this award is not about me, it recognises all the wonderful people who work alongside me."

Next year will see the 20th annual awards ceremony, with nominations opening in the summer of 2024.
 

AWARDS

Student of the Year sponsored by Furness College

Winner: Madi Gawne

Finalists: Iga Kucharska, Hannah Ruth Bircher

1- From Left to Right: Madi Gawne, Winner. Nicola Cove, Principal & Chief Executive, Furness College

Community Focussed Business of the Year sponsored by Orsted

Winner: Victim Support Westmorland and Furness

Finalists: Age UK Barrow and District, Barrow Underground Music Society

2 – Victim Support Westmorland & Furness,

Teacher of the Year by BAE Systems

Winner: Jez Mark

Finalists: Steven Herbert, Mick Cull

3 – From Left to Right: Jez Mark, Lead Engagement Officer, South Cumbria PRU, Winner. Beth Kirby, Social Impact Manager, BAE Systems.

Carer of the Year sponsored by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

Winner: Jonny Benson

Finalists: Donna Allewell, Mandy Allonby

4 - From Left to Right: Jonny Benson, Winner. Jane Scattergood, Director of Health and Care for South Cumbria, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

The Oak Tree Award sponsored by TI Accountancy

Winner: Art4All

Finalists: Furness Refugee Support, Nick Hall

5 – From Left to Right: Tracy Irwin, Founder and Director, TI Accountancy. Artworks – Art4All, Winners

Group or Project of the Year sponsored by Nuclear Transport Solutions

Winner: Askam Under 10s Football Club

Finalist: Furness Hedgehog Rescue

6 – From Left to Right: Askam Under 10s Football Club, Winner. Peter Buchan, Managing Director of Shipping, Nuclear Transport Solutions

Citizen of the Year sponsored by AW Ship Management

Winner: Rebecca Round

Finalists: Paul Backhouse, Rhona Teale

7 – From Left to Right: Daniel McGowen, Contract Manager, AW Ship Management. Rebecca Round, Winner.

Young Citizen of the Year sponsored by Kimberly-Clark

Winner: Lilly-Mae Grimes

Finalists: Benji Kyle, Elesia Ryder

8 – From Left to Right: Lilly-Mae Grimes, Winner. Esther Lambert, Site PA, Kimberly Clark

The Peoples Choice Award sponsored by BAE Systems

Winner based on a public vote: Mandy Allonby

9 – From Left to Right: Mandy Allonby, Winner. Beth Kirby, Social Impact Manager, BAE Systems.

Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Siemens Energy

Rebecca Robson MBE

10 -From Left to Right: Rebecca Robson, Winner. Michael Jeschke, Materials Expert and STEM Council Lead, Siemens Energy