Trampolinist, 92, among community award winners
BBCA 92-year-old trampolinist has been given an award for inspiring a new generation of athletes.
The BBC Radio Wiltshire Make a Difference Awards, held at Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon, celebrated people who have contributed to their community.
The awards were judged by local celebrities such as Cotswold poet Pam Ayres, singer songwriter Betty Boo and MasterChef winner Thomas Frake.
Trampolinist Peter Quinney - a great-grandfather from Melksham - coaches at a club in Salisbury, many years after he was introduced to gymnastics and trampolining at school.
He won gold at the 1960 British Championships and is still collecting prizes decades later.
"I love seeing how the children get so much out of it [trampolining], especially children with special needs," Quinney said.
Other winners included 15-year-old Buddy, who lives near Devizes and won the Young Hero award for his Lunchbox Buddy idea, supporting children who may have gone without a nutritious lunch due to financial issues.
Judge Betty Boo said she was "super impressed" with the teenager's generosity, which is why she chose him as a winner.
Ten-year-old Georgia, who lives near Malmesbury, was recognised with the Fundraiser Award after she took on a swimming challenge in memory of her friend Tilly, who passed away at the age of 14 last year.
Georgia swam 34km [21 miles] and raised thousands for Bristol Children's Hospital, where Tilly was treated.
She said she felt "really happy" after winning the prize and added that Tilly "always put a smile on people's faces".
The Animal Award was won by the team at Search and Scan, a charity dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Founder Katie Fox attended the awards with dog Moose, a three-year-old springer spaniel who is part of the tracking team.
She said she was delighted to take home the trophy for the whole team of volunteers.
Judge Pam Ayres said it was "fiendishly difficult" to choose a winner.
"I can't imagine the kind of anguish of when someone loses a pet," she added.
Other winners included Adrian Sawyer, who won the Volunteer Award for more than a decade of service to Wiltshire Search and Rescue.
He could not pick the award up in person but judge Thomas Frake said he was "really touched" by Sawyer's "absolute selflessness to a voluntary cause".
Matthew Aldridge, from Royal Wootton Bassett, meanwhile picked up the Great Neighbour Award for clearing rubbish from roads and green spaces in the town.
"I hope I've inspired other people in the community to get involved," he said.
The Environmental Award was won by 71-year-old Howard Yardy from Melksham, who is a volunteer wildlife officer for the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust.
He has helped to restore the former waterway from the Kennet and Avon Canal near Melksham all the way to the Thames and Severn Canal near Cricklade.
Yardy said he "wanted to give something positive back" and volunteered because he "wanted to make a difference."
The Community Group Award was won by Wiltshire Treehouse, a charity which helps children, young people and their families after the death of someone special.
Carly Appleby, executive editor of BBC Radio Wiltshire, said the awards were "a highlight of the year when we shine a light on those who do amazing work in their community, often without the recognition they deserve".
"Congratulations to our worthy winners who have all made such a difference in their own time - bringing happiness, company and support to others," she added.
The following people and organisations were highly commended at the awards:
Active Award
- Joe Aygul
- Kingdom Barbell Youth Development Programme
- Tim Howe
Animal Award
- Food Fairies
- Frank Warner
- Jean Gilbert
Community Group Award
- ASK DANNY
- Old Sarum Pantry
- WAY UK
Environmental Award
- Jumana Akhtar
- Warminster Toad Patrol
- Vision for Wroughton
Fundraiser Award
- Steve Thatcher
- Sarum Avenue Christmas Lights
- The Saysell Family
Great Neighbour Award
- Lydia Bauer
- Natalie Thorpe
- Steve Hurley
Volunteer
- Daphne Ince
- Irene Kohler
- Jo Vizor
Young Hero Award
- Dexter Painter-Coates
- Oliver Clark
- Toby Richardson
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