At 93 years young, Pauline is bursting with life and happiness. Pauline actively knits jumpers and hats for premature babies in hospital wards. Pauline recently took part in a family fundraising effort for Ocean Ward in Southampton hospital who took care of their great-grandson where he spent most of his early life. Walking the equivalent of 2 marathons, Pauline raised money to help the ward who cared for him after 2 operations. Pauline also raises money for the Salvation Army selling magazines in the town centre. Pauline represents the heart and kindness of not only our family but the Andover spirit too.
The YMCA Andover Community team run a community-based project to help support struggling families. The community cabin provides food boxes and has a welcoming and friendly space to relax and talk to someone if needed. The nursery also helps families provide a safe space for their babies to thrive while offering support and guidance to parents. The YMCA Andover Community team has also handed out over 50 Christmas boxes to families can come together for a meal. Having helped over 150 families, they put everything in to bringing the community together and supporting who they can.
Diane has been fundraising for various groups and is always helping people whenever she can. During July and August this year, Diane raised over £2000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, organising donations, a raffle, and an auction. This also included a family fun day with a petting zoo, bouncy castle, food, face painting, and a DJ all of whom donated their services to help the cause. With a daughter currently battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the second time, Diane still finds time to help other young people in the same situation, stepping up, and taking control, and is the strength her family need at such a difficult time.
Neil and Caroline do so much and never ask for anything in return. They often donate prizes to auctions in the Andover community through their various sporting contacts. Neil and Caroline also donate 200 school uniforms and 200 school bags to Africa every year. Their selfless efforts, often going unnoticed, demonstrate a profound commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Neil and Caroline have touched countless lives and inspired those around them. They are truly deserving of recognition for their outstanding contribution to the community.
Doing jujitsu for over 45 years, Mike has mentored hundreds, if not, thousands, of students over this time, having a club in Andover for 20 years. Mike has trained 3 professional fighters who’ve gone onto great things as well as having 4 students who have gone onto represent the GB squad in competitions around the world. His club has 86 full-time members ranging from 5 to 60 in a series of disciplines including MMA, K1 kickboxing, and Japanese jujitsu Having competed in Mongolia for the GB Squad, coached his daughter in Paris, and taking the team to Croatia and Belgium before the year is out, Mike is still competing at the highest level. An inspiration, Mike still has the flame, that burning desire to teach, and lead. His accolades, medals and world titles speak for themselves.
Lily has achieved amazing things in her chosen sport – water polo. Having competed in various competitions, Lily has recently returned from Turkey where she competed for team GB in the European Under 17’s water polo championships. Having scored a hat trick in the final, the team finished an impressive 13th overall. Lily was part of the team which gained promotion to the top tier British League after only one season in Div2. As well as studying for exams, becoming head girl, getting into college, and studying ballet, (this person) shows true determination in a difficult field where you need strong fitness, swimming, team spirit and to work as a team. Despite missing key events, Lily proudly sings the national anthem, and plays with passion, dedication, and with a huge smile on her face.
Siobhan was part of a team who set up the Andover based charity Yellow Brick Road Projects, including You Matter for Young Mums, You Matter and You Matter in School, with a vision to see an end to homelessness and give people the skills and confidence they need to sustain a tenancy. In 2020, the Legacy Project began. Commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Yellow Brick Road Projects provided mentors for young people who are at risk or who are being criminally exploited. Now in its 10th year, Siobhan has led the charity from strength to strength supported those at risk of homelessness. A restorative leader, readily welcoming, acknowledging, and appreciating the wisdom and energy of others in developing the organisation. Siobhan always shows someone they matter and how they can grow – really making a difference to people’s lives.
The Lighthouse Bus team is a small group of volunteers using their bus to help the people of Andover, giving them a safe space to do activities and find someone to talk to. They visit schools, the college, go to people seeking asylum living in hotels, and to the local skate park to help the young people who hang out there with a safe space and guidance all without judgement. The Lighthouse Bus Team offer friendship, helps find local organisations that can support individual needs, and offers free activities they can all do together. A growing project, The Lighthouse Bus team take the time to listen and care for all those who visit. Expect to see more from them in the future.
As a station booking clerk and first aider, Chris has had to use his previous experience in social work to deal with many things on the platform. From dealing with the elderly, the confused, and those not familiar with modern technology, to stressed-out parents, the disabled, and those blind or hard of hearing, nothing is too much trouble. Chris has also had to handle injuries and suicidal people and even helped passengers escaping abusive relationships to flee the station when they have been pursued. Passengers arriving from other countries with no phone, who feel abandoned, confused and lost – Chris is the calming voice, the helping hand, the friendly face. Despite strikes, passive aggressive customers, late trains, the list goes on, Chris always lets his compassionate nature shine through. Andover is blessed to have someone of this calibre in the town.
After a member of the public suffered a cardiac arrest, Tommy, Macsen, James, Evan, Grace, Niamh, and Nathan acted quickly to provide first aid, started CPR, and doing everything necessary to help. After the paramedics arrived, they were encouraged to continue CPR and it took 15 minutes to bring the gentleman back and stabilise him. Tommy, Macsen, James, Evan, Grace, Niamh, and Nathan not only took care of this gentleman but kept the family together. They have spoken to passionately about their experiences and have fed back to trainers to that others might be more prepared if they ever find themselves in a similar situation. It shows that the regular training given gives them the confidence to act fast and work so well as a team.
Susan is always up to something to help people in the community. For over three decades, Susan has selflessly dedicated her time, energy, and passion by volunteering to clean and maintain two cemeteries, transforming these sacred spaces into places of solace and comfort for countless families. Through meticulous work like grass cutting, weeding and cleaning gravestones, Susan has helped families reconnect with their heritage. Beyond physical labour, her presence at the sites has provided a comfort and support to families. Her warm and compassionate demeanour and willingness to listen has turned these spaces into places of reflection and memory. Susan dedication goes far beyond what could be expected of a volunteer, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the community and importance of preserving history.
Katy is a dedicated volunteer water polo coach of which she has committed 23 years. Katy is also a swimming teacher and running coach in her spare time. Katy is a passionate, friendly, and enthusiastic volunteer coach, committing countless hours to help her students at local, county, and Southeast levels. Katy worked tirelessly to get water polo back up and running after the pandemic, which is often overlooked and underfunded, and relies on volunteers to make it work. Katy brings together a diverse team who work hard for each other and love to play together which is a true testament to her passion. Katy fights for equality of female coaches in the sport and encourages girls of all ages to participate – a true role model to others.
Kim runs the Memory Choir based at Andover Mind. Each week, dementia sufferers and their carers come together to sing songs from their youth. As music and song is one of the last things to go, it helps attendees find their voice. Kim is so enthusiastic and welcoming no matter how advanced the illness or how well they can sing, whistling and waving along, creating a space full of fun and without fear or expectation. Also organising outings to raise awareness, it also enriches the experiences of the choir members. Notable outings include Ministry of Justice, Judges at Winchester Crown Court, for patients in Andover hospital and more. Knowing no bounds, the choir are currently working on a backing tape for a song which will be recorded and distributed with video by an American connection. Kim has brought companionship, fun, and excitement to these people’s lives.
Caroline has made outstanding contributions to the Andover community, establishing and setting up a creative and inclusive space that has had a positive impact on many local artists and residents. The Unity Art Studios is a thriving studio and gallery that has become the cornerstone of Andover’s creative scene. Showcasing the diverse talents of local artists, Unity is a nurturing space for any ability and background to hone their skills, express themselves and collaborate with others. Caroline has an approachable and supportive nature and has created a community where creativity knows no bounds. Her leadership and hands-on approach have not only created a platform for local artists but has championed art education and its use for wellbeing. Caroline is currently working towards several fundraiser initiatives including recommissioning the lift to make the upstairs workshop more accessible and providing a funded workspace for low-income artists.
Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2018, Becki went through months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and eventually surgery to remove her bowel and some of her lower intestine. Having to give up full-time work, did not stop Becki from giving her time to volunteering in the community. A volunteer now manager, Becki helps vulnerable people through the Andover Food Bank. She welcomes Ukrainian refugees and provides necessities like food and hygiene products, treating them with kindness and respect. Also, a member of the Saxon Fields community association, Becki volunteers her time to plan charity and public events to bring people together to make the estate a better place to live. Becki also time keeps at Andover Parkrun as well as acts as marshal to support hundreds of runners every week. An incredibly strong person, she has inspired me to become an oncology nurse and help Becki teach others about symptoms and hopefully, save another life. We want her to know what a beautiful difference she makes to Andover and that all this perseverance and hard work is appreciated.
Jack selflessly donated a kidney to his two-year-old nephew who has chronic kidney disease. Once diagnosed, his nephew had to wait until he was old enough and big enough to have a transplant. Jack put himself forward straight away and has had to attend regular tests in London to ensure blood and tissue match as well as psychological and other physical tests. Once proven to be a match, the transplant took place this year and has so far been a success. Jack is a living organ donor, saving the life of a young boy - he truly doesn’t understand what he has done for his nephew, his parents, and our family, and taken it all in his stride - he is our hero.
Ollee is a true hero. After a serious bike accident, Ollee saved a life when a branch went through his friend’s neck. Acting quickly and bravely, Ollee called the emergency services and their parents, managed to flag down help, and applied pressure to the wound. The paramedics hailed Ollee and said if he had not acted so quickly, the friend would have lost his life. Despite fearing blood and the situation, Ollee showed true courage, trusting his instincts, and doing what he thought was best. A true hero I think you would agree.
Over the last 3 years, Alegra has raised money for a variety of charities by running for children of her age. At 6, Alegra ran 30 miles in a month and raised nearly £1k for WaterAid and Evelina Hospital. The following year, Alegra joined with her sisters to collectively run 50 miles in a month to support RSPCA, raising over £1k. This year, Alegra is running 40 miles for UNICEF with over £600 raised already and has her mind set on cycling 100 miles for a charity next summer. To see a person so young be passionate about doing good things for others and willing to push her physical limits is just incredibly inspiring. I hope that shining a light on Alegra will lead to inspiring others to get up and do something for other people.
Mary has carried out varied roles at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice for over 22 years, notably as a bereavement volunteer providing 1-1 support. The Community Palliative Care Team often meet people at the saddest times of their lives. Mary steps in to support those left behind. Offering guidance and assistance, she helps unpack a time that can often be a blur, helping them to adapt. Mary provides a safe space to talk, even being hailed a ‘life saver’. In between counselling, she continues to support patients in day care and at fundraising events. A true diamond, and an unsung hero.
Siobhan was part of a team who set up the Andover based charity Yellow Brick Road Projects, including You Matter for Young Mums, You Matter and You Matter in School, with a vision to see an end to homelessness and give people the skills and confidence they need to sustain a tenancy. In 2020, the Legacy Project began. Commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Yellow Brick Road Projects provided mentors for young people who are at risk or who are being criminally exploited. Now in its 10th year, Siobhan has led the charity from strength to strength supported those at risk of homelessness. A restorative leader, readily welcoming, acknowledging, and appreciating the wisdom and energy of others in developing the organisation. Siobhan always shows someone they matter and how they can grow – really making a difference to people’s lives.