Community Awards 2006 Nominees
- Community Group of the Year
- Volunteer Worker of the Year
- Business Community Project of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Fairtrade Business of the Year
- Urban Project of the Year
- Rural Project of the Year
- Fundraiser of the the Year
- Young Hero Award
- Teacher of the Year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Fine Lady of Banbury
Young Hero Award
Patrick MorganA SMALL boy saved the life of an 81-year-old woman.
Daphne Evans has nominated Patrick Morgan, now three, for his incredible persistence in raising the alarm as she lay injured and semi-conscious after a fall.
Daphne of Thorpe Road, Chacombe, said little Patrick, who was just two at the time, had undoubtedly saved her life.
“He's my little hero. I'm sure I wouldn't have survived if he hadn't kept trying to tell his mum that he could hear someone calling for help,” she said.
The drama happened when Daphne was watering plants for some neighbours who were away on holiday.
She fell down their stairs, causing a head injury and broken ribs. She also smashed her kneecap and was unable to do more than drag herself to the back door where she lay, drifting in and out of consciousness.
“I called out for help but no-one heard. I lay there for hours,” said Daphne. But Patrick heard her cry out while playing in his garden next door and went to get his mum Sarah.
“Because it was our neighbour Marilyn Holloway's house, he kept telling his mum ‘Marilyn' thinking it was she who was calling for help. But Sarah ignored it as she knew Marilyn was away,” said Daphne.
“But he kept going back in and saying the name again. He was too young to be able to explain. He was so insistent his mum Sarah eventually went out with him and heard me cry herself.”
Sarah went round and found Daphne covered in blood and barely conscious. Daphne spent five weeks in hospital and many months convalescing at home.
“I thought from the start Patrick deserved a bravery award; I wanted him to have something like a plaque he could keep to remind him of what he had done,” she said.
Sarah, who has three other children, said: “We're thrilled Patrick is being nominated for an award. If he hadn't drawn my attention to the fact that Daphne was there she'd have died.”
Matthew GunnA QUICK-thinking schoolboy who rescued a friend from the Oxford Canal has been nominated for our Young Hero award.
Matthew Gunn, 11, of Lord Grandison Way in Banbury ran to the rescue of a younger classmate last December when he fell in during a school trip.
Without time to think Matthew left his school party and ran to the boy, grabbing his hand and alerting teachers who managed to help pull him out.
Matthew's parents told the Banbury Guardian how proud they are of their son's nomination. Mother Donna Gunn said: “When I heard about what had happened my first reaction was relief that Matthew was ok.
“His friends were telling him he was a hero and I was really really proud of him.
“It was a quick reaction when a lot of the children stood around and weren't sure what to do.”
The accident happened when about 40 children from Hanwell Fields Community School walked back from a theatre visit to see Pinocchio at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury town centre. At the time, headteacher Jane Haggitt praised Matthew but defended the decision to take children on the route saying it was safer and healthier than walking next to the road.
Matthew said he was surprised but proud to be nominated.
“I didn't really have time to think about it when it all happened.,” he said.
“The boy tripped over a stone, rolled and fell in the canal.
“I just grabbed his hand and pulled him out then gave him my woolly hat to keep him warm.When I went round to his house afterwards to see if he was all right his mum gave me some sweets.”
Matthew's father Michael said the family had often walked by the Oxford Canal in the past so Matthew was used to it and was aware of its dangers.Fred Howe and Louis Hunt
SCHOOLBOYS who went the distance for charity have been hailed as heroes.
Fred Howe, 12, and Louis Hunt, 13, spent seven-and-a-half hours running their self-made marathon from North Aston to Bloxham in March to raise money for the Horton Diabetes Trust Fund. The pair raised £283.
“It makes me very proud,” said Fred of Oxford Road, Adderbury, who came up with the idea following a lesson at the Warriner School about charities.
His father Ed has type one diabetes meaning he needs four injections a day and Fred felt inspired to do something and got the support of classmate Louis.
“Since we ran the marathon we’ve had lots of praise and congratulations, but to be recognised publicly like this is very unexpected.”
The pair had hoped to run in an official marathon but the age limit to enter one is 15.
Louis of Unicorn Street, Bloxham, said: “I’m really chuffed to be nominated. When I first decided to do the run I never thought it would get so big and capture people’s attention.”