Entry deadline for Provost’s Community Awards extended to 29 September

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Provost urges people to nominate someone before the closing date

There’s only a couple of weeks left to get your nominations in for the Provost’s Community Awards after Renfrewshire’s Provost Ronnie Burns specially extended the entry deadline to Friday, 29 September.

To highlight the importance of nominating people for the awards, Provost Burns has enlisted the help of last years Achievement Award winner Chris Williams to find out why being nominated was so special to him.

Although Chris had a further setback in 2004 when he needed further treatment after his tumour was re-diagnosed, he showed immense courage and went on to raise over £600 on behalf of Children In Need by taking part in a sponsored walk from the Disability Resource Centre in Paisley to the Momentum Office at Renfrew Street in Glasgow.

Chris said: “I was surprised and overwhelmed to receive this award. It was really encouraging to see that my determination to overcome my difficulties has been recognised. Hopefully my Achievement Award has raised the profile of both cancer and brain injuries and will inspire other people going through similar situations. The Provost’s Community Awards are specifically for the people of Renfrewshire so I would like to join with the Provost and urge everyone to take a moment and nominate someone they think deserves an award.”

In addition to the nomination from Irene, Chris has received great support from his family and the rest of the staff at the Disability Resource Centre. Chris believes that his award is also recognition of their support. Chris added: “My wife Sandra and son Barry have provided invaluable support over these past few years. If it wasn’t for their help and belief in me, I would not have won this award.”

Now that there are only a few weeks left to get your nominations in for this year’s awards Provost Burns is calling on everyone who lives or works in Renfrewshire to nominate just one person who deserves a special thank you for their contribution to society. Whether it be by helping others, making a difference in the community or by overcoming physical and emotional hurdles, we want to hear about everyone who makes Renfrewshire a happier and better place. As an added incentive, the nominators of all of the award winners receive free British Airways flights and money for a weekend in London plus money for a charity of their choice.

Provost Burns said: “Chris’s achievements are truly inspiring, but there are many other people out there in Renfrewshire who deserve to be recognised and nominated for an award. Many of you may already know someone like Chris who has overcome difficulties and adversity to give something back to the community. I would urge you to nominate them now. It only takes five minutes to fill in the form, and after meeting some of the past winners I can say with confidence that it can make the world of difference to all those nominated, not just the award winners, to know that their efforts are appreciated and valued.”

Posters and nomination forms are widely distributed throughout libraries, schools, council offices and voluntary organisations for anybody to pick up. You can also visit the Provost's community award page (link removed when nominations closed) on this website to download a nomination form. Anyone who needs help filling out their form or wants one sent out to their home should phone Drew Gibson or Mairi Brown on 0141 840 3363/3706. The new closing date for nominations is Friday 29 September.

Seven categories of award are available for nomination this year. They are - the Special Needs Child (up to age 14), supported by Glasgow Airport Ltd, the Young person with Special Needs (14-18 years), supported by Provost Burns and Mrs Burns, the Special Needs Adult, supported by Scottish Power, the Volunteer Community Worker, supported by Ciba Speciality Chemicals PLC, the Achievement Award, supported by Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Ltd, the Carers Award, supported by the former Provost Nancy Allison JP and the Good Citizen Award, which is jointly supported by Diageo and Acre Industrial and Cleaning Services Ltd.

All people shortlisted and their nominator(s) will be invited to the awards ceremony at Paisley Town Hall on 9 February, 2007. The seven winners will each receive:

• a framed certificate
• an award trophy with their name inscribed (retained for one year)
• a memento trophy to keep
• a £500 donation for their charity of choice
• a return flight for two people with two night's accommodation in a 4 star hotel in London and
• £200 spending money.
  

All short listed candidates will receive a framed certificate and a memento from Renfrewshire Council.

Press Release: Tuesday 19 September 2006