The Banbury Guardian Community Awards Website
EVERY evening, without fail, a woman feeds the homeless of Banbury
outside St Mary’s Church. She expects no recognition for it and
is uncomfortable about anyone revealing anything about her true identity.
She is known simply as Polly.
Her remarkable work is driven by a personal calling to help the poor.
But last year for the first time the people of Banbury were able to
show how much they admire her selflessness, thanks to the Banbury Guardian
Community Awards.
Polly received the award for volunteer worker of the year. She was
also voted the top nomination by Banbury Guardian readers to receive
the Paul Bithell Memorial Award.
Polly is not alone in her desire to help and support others. Every
day, groups and individuals are going that extra mile to make our community
a better place.
Often they work on a voluntary basis giving up their own time. Or they
may be in a caring profession where they go above and beyond the call
of duty.
The Banbury Guardian, in association with Cherwell District Council, wants to acknowledge their special contribution and over the last few months readers have been nominating those they believe deserve one of our awards.
All this would not be possible without the support of local businesses who are sponsoring and judging the various categories. Judges will choose those they believe have made the most outstanding contribution.
Once again we will be asking readers to choose their favourite nomination
and that person or group of people will receive the Paul Bithell Memorial
Award, in tribute to Paul, a former editor of the Banbury Guardian
who died of cancer in 2002.
True to tradition, the gala night will also be a fundraising evening.
Proceeds will go towards the new Leonard Cheshire Home for Banbury.