The Pride Of Formby Awards 2024

On Friday 4th October 2024 we welcomed our community heroes and their guests at the Gild Hall, Formby to celebrate all of their achievements.

The night was hosted by Olivia Sloyan who did a wonderful job at holding back the tears to tell the audience just why each award winner was so special to us and what they had done to deserve the award. The awards were presented by Formby Parish Council Vice Chairman Councillor Dave Irving and Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa.

The Pride of Formby Awards have been running for many years now with the last one being held in 2022 where we celebrated the winners who were selected in 2020. This year, nominations were gathered in April and we had a large amount of very deserving nominations to choose from.

The awards are to recognise the unsung heroes within our local community and to give them a special night to celebrate them and all they have achieved in our community. It is due to their selflessness and dedication to our community that without them, many of the things that take place in Formby would not happen. We have come to rely on volunteers from all backgrounds to keep our community ticking over and they do it without thought for themselves or any recognition.

We would like to thank all our winners for what they have done in our community and who have made a difference and impact.

We presented 10 awards to our very deserving winners, below you’ll find what the judges were looking for and why we have awarded the person or group the award.

Business Community Hero – Cassidys

Rhona Cassidy receiving her award.

This award recognises the efforts made by a local business and the contribution they have made to their local community.

Before, during and since COVID pandemic the owners and staff of Cassidys Greengrocers have gone out of their way to help and support people in the community by arranging orders, holding charity raffles and getting fully immersed in all the events in and around Formby. They are always friendly and helpful. They carried my order to my car after my heart surgery and make a point of asking how I am. It is important to support small local businesses, especially those like Cassidys who also support their customers and the local community.They are more than deserving of recognition for all they do and I hope the judges will award this small business and it’s staff. I can’t identify any one person in Cassidys as they are all amazing people and a credit to Formby.

Rhona Cassidy said: “Wow look at what we have just received. We are overwhelmed and honoured to have received the Business Community Hero

Award from the Formby Parish Council Pride of Formby Awards 2024.”

“We would like to thank everyone who nominated us and for all your special messages you wrote about the shop it means the world to us. We love being in the heart of our community, its such a special place and the support you always give us.”

Unfortunately Cassidys were unable to join us but we delivered the award to them a few days later.

Teacher of the Year – Christina Greaves

Teacher of the Year – Christina Greaves. Presented by Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa

This award recognises a person or school whose teaching, leadership or mentoring has inspired others to achieve more in their education and career. Judges looked for either an individual or an organisation that has made a real difference in their student’s lives.

Christina Greave (Formby resident and Head Teacher at Kew Woods Primary School) has emerged as a beacon of hope and catalyst for change in the relentless battle against knife crime. Her leadership, unwavering dedication, and tireless advocacy have propelled the #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign to new heights, making a huge impact on communities across Merseyside and beyond.

Christina’s commitment to combating knife crime has been the cornerstone of the #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign’s success. Through her leadership she has managed to engage with schools from across the region and get them to take action as a collective force to come together to not only support the campaign’s message but to help drive the message across the county.

The collaboration between the #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign, Cash for Kids, and Sefton Schools represents a transformation initiative in the fight against knife crime. By uniting over 35,000 primary and secondary school children in a virtual London mini marathon event and organising a symbolic relay race across the borough with over 1,800 children taking part. Christina’s efforts to raise awareness, promote community solidarity, and fundraise for essential bleed control equipment for local communities is beyond incredible. This innovative partnership underscores Christina’s ability to forge alliances with education leads, parents and children and leverage collective impact for maximum effect.

Christina’s dedication to the cause of knife crime prevention extends beyond local initiatives. Her participation in the official televised London mini marathon and the prestigious London Marathon alongside fellow campaigners amplifies our message on a national stage, drawing attention to the urgent need for action and inspiring other to join the fight.

Christina is doing all of this community engagement work on top of her full time role as a director of a large educational trust and the head of a primary school. She is not a natural runner and has never ran a marathon before so her involvement with the #kNowKnifeCrime campaign is not only helping to propel our campaign’s message but she is actively lacing up her trainers and taking part in the epic and being a true role model to all the children that our campaigns story has reached.

Extra Mile – Dorina Tambourini

Extra Mile Award – Dorina Tambourini. Presented by Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa.

This award is for someone who in the course of their job has gone that extra mile to help someone in the local community or assisted someone who needed emergency help or aid. They could be a doctor, nurse, council worker, shop assistant, bus driver, emergency services etc.

Dorina manages the Luncheon Club in Formby. The nomination is to reflect the care and kindness she shows to the diners on a weekly basis. She is welcoming and inclusive. She looks out for the diners and is mindful of their needs as their health and capacity changes. She treats everyone with dignity and respect and always has a smile and words of encouragement. If people have booked in for lunch but are unable to attend, she will deliver a meal as she knows that for some, this is their main meal.

An example of Dorina’s caring and kindness is from a few years ago. One of the diners fell and hit her head as she was waiting for transport home. She was on the pavement outside the Luncheon Club. The estimated time for an ambulance was 10 – 12 hours. Dorina put the person in a wheelchair and pushed her to her GP’s surgery in the village. Unfortunately, no one was able to see her to check her out. Rather than the person spending hours waiting for an ambulance or going to A&E, it was decided, in consultation with her family (no one lived locally) to take her home. I helped Dorina get the person in her car and she drove her home and we got her settled. As no family lived locally Dorina called in later to check she was ok and if she needed anything.

Dorina is aware of the importance of the Luncheon Club and volunteers her time on her non-working days e.g. on Wednesdays for Film/Fish and Chip afternoon’s and she also supports the Christmas Day Lunch run by Councillor Catie Paige.

Dorina has recently set up a social club on a Monday night in Formby for young adults with additional support needs. This will enable young people to make friends, reduce isolation and have fun. This is very personal to Dorina as her son has additional support needs and now that he’s 18, there are very limited opportunities to socialise and meet other young people. I hope Dorina’s ongoing contributions to Formby can be recognised.

Community Group – Formby Yarn Bombers

For this award we are looking to recognise an organisation who makes a real difference to the lives of the people of Formby.

Community Group Award - Formby Yarn Bombers. Presented by Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa

We had a lot of nominations for this group, this is what a few of them had to say:

• On the second Saturday in June each year, Formby Village is transformed by an art known as yarn bombing. This involves decorating the area with knitted items that follow various themes and depicting the trade of the shops. This creates a lot of interest in the village and attracts visitors who in turn purchase items from shops thus increasing trade. The group work hard throughout the year producing all the items required and really deserve this award.

• This group, run by the fabulous Leanne Jones, are amazing. They knit and crochet all year round to decorate the village every year for international yarn bombing day. They give hours and hours of their time to do this wonderful work for all residents and visitors far and wide to enjoy. I visit this village regularly and they never cease to amaze me with their creativity and talent. The village is like visiting wonderland and Wonka land. These ladies deserve to be recognised for what they do for their local community, their generosity and thoughtfulness.

• This groups aim is purely to put a smile on the faces of people in Formby every second Saturday of June. There’s no campaigning, no fundraising, no fuss, no pressure and no judgement. The group operates quietly and anonymously to transform Chapel Lane and the area with colourful, beautiful, funny and silly knitted and crocheted creations; then at the end of the day they are equally quietly spirited away. During the day people stop, smile, engage strangers in conversation, talk to their children and look at Formby through new eyes. The yarn bombers work throughout the year, putting in endless time and expertise. As the group has grown over the last few years it has welcomed in newcomers to the area, supported members facing personal difficulties, enabled members to learn new skills, gain confidence and make new friends.

• A very welcoming group that spreads happiness to others through it’s love of everything yarn! A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to give a bright and cheerful addition to Formby on international yarn bombing day.

• The Formby yarn bombers are an incredibly talented and creative group of Formby residents who work hard all year to create the most fantastic display in the village for International Yarn Bombing day. Their dedication is amazing and on that day, they lift the spirits of every visitor, fill the village with smiles and laughter, plus give the local economy a real boost. They help put Formby on the map for creativity and community fun.

• It brings so much joy, smiles and fun to the village, it’s a great day. I go into the village with my grandchildren on the day, it creates wonderful memories for us all. The group must give so much of their time to create the fabulous items for all to enjoy. Their kindness is unbelievable.

Community Hero – Dympna Edwards

For this award we are looking for someone with true Formby spirit. Someone who helps to keep their local community ticking. Someone who shows their commitment and dedication to the area always leading the way with community activities and campaigns.

Community Hero Award - Dympna Edwards.

Dympna couldn’t join us on the night so she asked Catie Page and Andrea Dell to come and accept the award on her behalf. Presented by Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa

I just wanted to share with you a very small part of the amazing things that Dympna Edwards does for Formby and beyond. Dympna organises, writes and directs the Churches Together Nativity play and the Passion play at Easter that are put on each year free of charge. Each year has a slightly different approach to sharing these key Christian feasts with the whole community. She also washes and irons all the costumes! As well as this, she organises the Christmas window display in all the shops in the village.

Dympna is the chair and trustee of the Formby Pool Trust and has been for many years. The pool is a partnership between Sefton Council, the Formby Land Trust and the Formby Pool Trust and she is committed to keeping this first-class venue for the community.

She is involved with Compassion Acts and supports the Food Pantry that is held every Thursday in Formby, supporting people with food and also wider advice. She also visits local schools to deliver assemblies and workshops.

Dympna is an active member of community at Our Lady of Compassion Church singing in the choir and supporting fellow parishioners in many ways. Prior to covid, she and her husband Mark ran a youth club for many years at the church.

There will be loads of other things she does that I will have forgotten to list, she is a remarkable lady, always positive, always kind, always encouraging, caring, thoughtful and non-judgemental. She is kindness personified. She is also incredibly humble.

She so deserves the recognition for all she does. I wish I could be more articulate in sharing just how wonderful she is and the difference she makes to people’s lives.

Carer of the Year – Denise Lloyd

This award recognises someone who either looks after or helps to support other people. It could be a family member at home, a friend or relative. They may run errands, do shopping, tidy homes and gardens, help to care for pets or simply pop round for a morale boosting chat, and if part of their career, going above and beyond their job requirements.

Carer of the Year – Denise Lloyd.

Presented by Formby Parish Council Vice Chairman Councillor Dave Irving

For the past 12 years, Denise Lloyd has dedicated her career at Bluebird Sefton to being a professional Carer and Manager working on the frontline in the community. Over the years, she has cared for countless individuals from all walks of life, each with their own unique needs and challenges. But no matter who she worked with, one thing remains constant: her unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care and support to both clients and families.

Denise took care of my mother-in-law who lives 300 miles away from us. Denise ensured we were in constant communication as there were frequent emergencies and falls. Denise showed so much compassion, patience, and dedication towards my mother-in-law, who suffers from dementia. She would spend time talking to her, calming her down during her moments of confusion and helped with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. Denise went above and beyond her duties as a caregiver, always going the extra mile to make sure my mother-in-law was comfortable and well taken care of.

Denise refused to leave her when the ambulance took hours to arrive. It was such a relief for our family to know that Denise was there for my mother-in-law when we couldn’t physically be there. Being a carer is not just about completing tasks and following a schedule. It is about truly connecting with the person in need and understanding their struggles. This is where empathy comes into play. I have seen first hand the positive impact that empathy can have on a person’s well-being.

Her kind and caring nature brought so much peace and comfort to my mother in law’s life. Denise truly became a part of our family, and we will forever be grateful for the love and care she provided. It’s not easy to find someone who genuinely cares for their job and the people they care for, but Denise exceeded all expectations. She not only took care of my mother-in-law, but she also took care of our hearts and minds, knowing that our loved one was in safe and loving hands. Denise is a true blessing, and we will never forget all that she has done for our family. The biggest thing Denise did was to build meaningful relationships and connections with client’s families. We can’t thank her enough!

Fundraiser of the Year – Formby UKE 3A

Someone who is an amateur fundraiser, not necessarily raising the most money but using the most innovative or creative methods to do so in order to help others, It could be a one-off project or something they have done regularly over a number of years.

Fundraiser of the Year – Formby UKE 3A. Presented by Formby Parish Council Vice Chairman Councillor Dave Irving

Formby UKE 3A are led by Pat Harwood, a retired teacher from Range High School. Although she has a disabled son who is wheelchair-bound, she still manages to organise the Formby UKE 3A community band. They are part of the U3A organisation which is set up to provide opportunities for older people to continue to learn, teach, and in a wide range of other groups such as Fold Routes and Formby Folk group, with making friends and having fun.

Formby UKE 3A are a 31 strong group ranging in age from 67 to 90. Since their formation, they have entertained a diverse range of audiences including some of whose residents are younger than they are.

They have carried out numerous street events, raising over a thousand pounds for Marie Curie, Cancer Research and The National Trust “Save our Squirrels” campaign. They have also participated in and helped to organise a fund raiser for Ukraine which raised over one thousand pounds.

One of their favourite venues is The Fernley Centre in Formby which provides for people with complex health and physical needs, performing for them on a regular basis and is great fun for all concerned.

Volunteer of the Year – Dave Elliott

This award recognises the efforts made in the volunteer sector and who have made an exceptional contribution to their local community. 

Volunteer of the Year – Dave Elliott.

Presented by Formby Parish Council Vice Chairman Councillor Dave Irving

Dave Elliott, Section Leader of the 1st Formby Scout Troop, embodies the essence of community service and leadership, making him a prime candidate for the “Community Hero” award. His commitment to shaping young minds and fostering a sense of camaraderie, responsibility, and adventure in his scouts sets him apart. Under Dave’s guidance, the 1st Formby Scout Troop has flourished, with an increasing number of Formby children benefiting from his innovative programmes and outdoor activities that promote personal growth, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.

Dave believes in the power of learning by doing; encouraging scouts to undertake community service projects, camping expeditions, team building and outdoor activities that broaden their horizons and deepen their respect for diversity and the environment. His efforts have not only revitalized the 1st Formby troop but have also instilled a sense of duty and compassion in the younger generation toward their community and the natural world.

The 1st Formby troop is one of the oldest continuous running sections in the world, relying on an unbroken string of volunteers to help the children understand their place in the community, and I hope that Dave Elliott is recognised for his tremendous efforts in keeping 1st Formby alive for future generations to inherit.

Special Young Person of the Year – Theo Graham

A young person who has shown maturity beyond their years and whose attitude and actions makes them stand out from the crowd. 

Special Young Person of the Year – Theo Graham.

Presented by Formby Parish Council Vice Chairman Councillor Dave Irving

From an extremely young age, Theo has been involved with fundraising. He was born 10 weeks premature and has fundraised for Ormskirk Neonatal Unit by doing various fundraising events. He helped raise £40,000 for a transport incubator with a couple of other families. He has done raffles, bonus balls, preloved baby clothes and toy sale, Christmas shopping evening, Charity Balls which Theo helped host one of them at 6 years old.

As Theo has gotten older, all his care is now at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. During an admission when Theo was 6 years old, he decided he wanted to give back and wanted to fundraise for the ward he had been on. A couple of years ago Theo was given the honour of becoming a Young Ambassador for the Children’s Charity at Alder Hey. He takes this role extremely seriously. Each year he thinks of a different fundraising challenge. In May 2023 Theo completed a 24-hour Danceathon where he danced for the full 24 hours. He had different music themes every hour, costume changes every hour, and different people joining him each hour. He split the money raised between Alder Hey Children’s Charity and his Primary school Trinity St Peter’s. He completed this even by being poorly with tonsillitis.

Theo is constantly thinking of others and what he can do to help others. At the time of this nomination, Theo is currently an inpatient at Alder Hey. He had surgery in March to have his tonsils taken out, but unfortunately 15 hours later, he was back being admitted with Chronic Pancreatitis which is extremely rare in children. He has been a very poorly little boy. During this time, he has been thinking of others yet again and how he can fundraise for additional recliner chairs and thermometers for the ward, as well as raising awareness for Pancreatitis in Children as it is so rare.

He is such a determined little boy. And through all his health problems, he still continues with a smile. I feel he is very deserving of this award.

Special Achievement Award – Simon Davies

This is a special one-off award that recognises someone or an organisation who have done something remarkable. 

Special Achievement Award – Simon Davies.

Presented by Little Altcar Parish Council Chairman Councillor Leo Kolassa

Simon has been working on the ground in eastern Ukraine since March 2022 assisting and supporting orphans and Ukrainian families affected by the conflict. Simon has been on 10 humanitarian aid missions to Ukraine to deliver 38 tonnes of medical supplies, humanitarian aid, food, generators, toiletries, sanitary ware, clothing and blankets from donations received by the people of Formby and beyond who have donated the aid and help to fund the missions.

The orphanages Simon visited on his previous trips were desperately in need of nappies, wet wipes, baby clothes, baby food, baby formula, baby blankets, baby toiletries, Calpol, washing powder, washing up liquid, tea towels, dish spongers, bleach etc.

Simon has raised over £55,000, delivered Christmas presents to thousands of orphaned children and supported children’s summer camps in Ukraine to give them life skills and experiences. Simon has also entered frontline villages and communities to help in the aftermath of Russian destruction.

Simon has helped 107 women and children evacuated from war zones and taken them to sponsor families in the UK and Europe. Simons’ fund raising and aid donations have help him achieve these humanitarian missions to Ukraine and greatly change peoples’ lives for the better while war rages around them. Laura couldn’t attend the evening so her friend Cllr Dawn Brodie accepted it on her behalf.

All photos provided by Formby Parish Council