A woman who helps knit together her community has been handed a double award for her achievements.
Mary Edgar, 62, was named Resident of the Year for Huyton and overall
Resident of the Year at the Knowsley Housing Trust Community Achievement Awards
2012 on Tuesday (September 18).
She has been recognised for the work she does with the Longview Knitwits group in Huyton.
Mary set up the group four years ago and it now has around 30 members. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Knowsley Works in Huyton to knit tiny clothes for newborn babies at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
As well as supporting babies and new parents, the group has become a lifeline for many of its members who live alone.
Mary also works with Blossoms, a group for young people with learning difficulties, where she teaches crafts and knitting.
The KHT Community Achievement Awards, held at Huyton Suites, are now in their sixth year and celebrate volunteers, good neighbours and all those in Knowsley who give up their time to help others.
Hosted by Adam Weighell and Leanne Campbell from Juice FM’s breakfast show, there was also entertainment from local singer, 17-year-old Jess Bradbury.
Resident of the Year for Halewood was awarded to Florence Rainey, Resident of the Year for Kirkby was awarded to John Fleming and Norma Roscoe was presented with the prize for the Prescot and Whiston area.
The Resident of the Year awards are all sponsored by Travis Perkins.
Teenage boxing star Joe Saunderson picked up the Young Person of the Year award, sponsored by EcoPod heating systems, for his inspiring sporting achievements.
Fifteen-year-old Joe, from Kirkby, attends Knowsley ABA boxing club and is already setting his sights on the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
Joe was crowned England ABAE champion in 2011 and 2012 and captained the England team that won gold in the GB Schoolboy Championships earlier this year.
“Team GB were so successful in boxing at the Olympics and it is great to be able to follow in their footsteps,” said Joe.
“I hope my getting this award encourages other young people to try the sport.”
The Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by Weightmans Solicitors, was presented to mum-of-five Julie McDermott, 44, who volunteers at the Green Room Café in Halewood, organises community activities and litter picks and is also an active member of Torrington Drive Community Association.
She is encouraging the next generation of volunteers – her children and her two young grandchildren are all involved with her in community work.
She said: “I just want to do my bit to make where we live a better place, for us and for our children in the future.”
Resident Association of the Year, sponsored by Structec, was awarded to H.M.E (Halsall, Moss and Eaton Street) in Prescot and Community Organisation of the Year, sponsored by Anthony Collins Solicitors, was presented to the Veggie Van Service which delivers fresh fruit and vegetables across the borough.
Green Champion of the Year, sponsored by Arcus, was awarded to Joy Lorenz, from Whiston, who runs sessions to teach groups and business about the benefits of recycling and ‘upcycling’ – making something new from something old.
This year the awards also celebrated KHT’s 10th birthday, one of many special events and activities taking place throughout the year to mark the milestone.
KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor said: “Our awards are the night of the year for me because I get to meet so many inspiring people who are each in their own way making our communities a better place to live.”
Other sponsors and supporters were Orchard software solutions, CDP printing, Fusion 21, Verse One Technologies, Profile Communication, Community Hub, CeCe Cakes, and O’Connell & Squelch creative.
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