Claire struggled with her own health during the menopause and wanted to raise awareness and offer help so others wouldn’t suffer like she had. After the creation of her website, BBC South, ITV Meridian and Sky News have all filmed at her home as well as several articles written about it. With signs in surgeries, workplaces, break rooms and offices to try and help businesses access free information to aid employers and employees get the help they need. There’s been sofa sessions, and even a book written and published too, all aimed at helping women like her. She has campaigned in parliament to put menopause and cheaper HRT on the map. Whether it’s supporting one person in distress on a Saturday night or caring for her 10.5k followers, she is determined to help those not suffer the same way she did.
Joan and Sharon haven supported the club for many years, assisting staff running the club every week to help the community. Over the years they have been involved in raising lots of money for the charity, without which we would not be able to exist. Since reopening after Covid, they continue to recommend the club to help as many people as possible. They help members have fun, and keep mentally, socially, and physically active. Their support goes above and beyond what is expected of them. We want to recognise their continued time and effort especially during the last 2 years. A massive thank you and well done.
Rob Sutherland has been such a huge support to the Abel Foundation and all its supporters. Think a 550 mile, 6-day bike ride from Edinburgh to Andover, the Brighton marathon, 666 Ironman Challenge (6 challenges in 6 days, swimming, riding and running), the first Abel Foundation Christmas event as well as helping others achieve their fundraising events/goals. He also helps arrange clothing and food, finding funding and sponsors, organising travel and logistics, and most of all, time. Rob is just incredible, his endless hours of commitment and time to help others he’s never met have just a small piece of happiness is inspiring.
Raising awareness of child autism and raising funds, (these people) (Karsten & Hayley) started a charity to provide assistance dogs to enable children to lead a better life. All dogs are trained to each child’s specific needs. All this is achieved whilst running their own business and raising their own autistic child with additional needs. They have currently raised funds for 2 dogs and their training. The difference they make to children is outstanding and those 2 are now able to move forward with their lives. They do all this to give a helping paw to those who need it.
Cassius has been practising kickboxing since the age of 4. At 10, he was eligible for international selection and represented GB at his first Junior World Championships where he picked up a silver medal. He went on to become Dutch Open Champion, Bristol Open Champion, Junior Euro Cup Champion and the GB Grand Slam Overall League Champion. He then carried on winning at the Watford Open and then WAKO British Champion in the -28kg younger cadet. Once lockdown hit, he continued training over Zoom with champions from Hungary, USA and UK. After Covid, he continued his success as he was cemented as number 1 ranked fighter in the older -32kg weight class. He took gold and 2 silver medals at Turkish World Cup. He also won all 3 of his Grand Slam league competitions. Finally, in February this year, he won yet another British Championship title – his 4th in 3 years. Quiet and unassuming, he doesn’t think he is anything special. We think he should be recognised for his amazing achievements.
Willie has introduced hundreds of children and adults to BMX racing and is dedicated to helping grow confidence on a bike to those who want/need it. He is Vice Chairman of the club and has helped grow it from a small group to over 240 members to become one of the biggest clubs in the region. He coaches children and those with disabilities in all weathers and has recently coached wounded soldiers. His dedication to the club and care for all involved is second to none. Without this person, there is no BMX club in Andover.
Lynn and her husband are hosting a multigenerational family from Ukraine. Once realising how difficult it is to integrate into like in England, she set up groups to support hosts and refugees including meetings, online groups and text chats. This person gives her time to scour, find, read, and share various official information from the Home Office, council and other agencies and share it with hosts. She negotiated 6 months of free sim cards with Vodafone for the refugees so they could keep in touch with family back in Ukraine. Just a day after meeting guests, she sourced clothes for them as they had very little. She deserves a big thank you for her kind generosity and helping those in need.
Cynthia has helped the ADSAD (Andover & District Sports Association for the Disabled) every Saturday for many years, helping disabled people of all ages enjoy the swimming pool in Andover. This person has always volunteered in the community, picking up prescriptions during Covid and being a supervisor at the vaccination clinics. After her mother was diagnosed with dementia, she went into work as a swimming teacher. She wanted to help patients with dementia so every Friday lunchtime she volunteers her time to meet the group and helps with activities and conversation. She is kind, has the largest heart in the community, always ready to help and will always give her time and passion to help whomever she can.
Since 2020, Andover Vaccination Team has played a large part in the vaccination programme of Andover. Helping run the clinics at the Lights initially, which included car park duty in all weathers and overcoming their own anxiety of mixing with others at a worrying time. They came from all walks of life and ranged in age from 18 to 82. With many centres closing, this centre has continued to serve the people of Andover in the Chantry Centre. They are a large, enthusiastic and committed group of people whom without we wouldn’t have had a vaccination centre. Their generosity and impact on the local community should to be recognised.
The Andover Police Cadets are a fantastic group with or without their disabilities. They work together with their leaders to deliver help at events without question. The group is fully inclusive to all children aged 13 to 17 to fully support everyone and make provisions so everyone can take part. Through lockdown they kept going to support each other as well as the wider community. They support community events and have raised the profile of the group. They have even managed to expand it rather than lose numbers when times were tough. They work hard even when they have challenges themselves and are becoming very mature, responsible young people and are a credit to the leaders and their community.
Ronnie supports and helps English, Chinese, Thai, Japanese people, and especially vunerable people with poor English skills or without computer skills to cope with modern Britain. He helps desperate people apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or apply for British citizenship, and apply for extension of student visas. He helped those who were at threat from being sent back to Singapore or Malaysia due to their poor English skills. He also helps those apply for benefit grants, child support, social housing for homeless as well as furnishing their homes. He helps non-English speaking parents to deal with their child’s school. Collecting, delivering and donating food to Andover Food Bank for families in need. Helped support people in court, helps someone diagnosed with lung cancer with forms, council and housing support as well as financial help. All this is just a drop in the ocean as to what he has achieved and those who he has helped. He deserves so much recognition for the support he has given to so many people over the years.
Freya and Lauren raised money for the Andover Food Bank by completing a sponsored walk. Other activities include volunteering at Andover Brownies, encouraging the members and helping the members with activities. Training to become a uniformed adult and gain a Girlguiding commonwealth badge. As well as raising the profile of Andover Rangers via fundraising and publicity and being accepted to travel with Girlguiding overseas. Recently qualifying to be a peer educator and helping at Guides once a week. Always willing to lend a hand, positive, supportive, encouraging, cheerful, helpful are just some of the words used to describe these wonderful young people.
Alicia founded Andover Youth Dance Company to give young people in Andover the opportunity to learn and develop their dance skills. This person has tirelessly supported young dancers by taking them to national competitions and opening opportunities they may not have otherwise had. In addition, this person started ConFusion dance which brings young dancers together who want to develop their choreography skills and regularly perform in competition. This person has been involved in various events in the town centre and can always be relied upon to provide outstanding students and support any event. She we provides all students with the opportunity to progress to see what they can achieve. She inks her tireless work with her outside companies with her work as a lecturer at Andover college, linking up with schools and is an inspiration to all learners – no wonder they want to explore more with her which is a testament to her approach to the arts.
From a young age, Lani had to overcome special needs to fulfil her dream of becoming a singer and musician. She learnt multiple instruments at a young age and overcame crippling shyness to be able to perform in public. This person raises money for local charities and takes part in local music evenings to help raise money – A-FEST, Carnival, Andover Rocks to name a few. At only 18 years old, she selflessly gives her time and care to many local causes as well as helping to raise her niece. I can only imagine how many charities she will help in another 18 years. She is always polite, kind and helpful and is the definition of pride.
Since joining the Andover Athletics Club in the 80’s, Heather has always been an active member, devoting many hours to the club. Initially running the tuck shop on training and competition days, this person has also raised much needed funds to help support the operation of the club. She then qualified as a coach and established and organised twice weekly training sessions, introducing youngsters to the club. Her many roles at the club include Tuck shop manager, U11’s coach and founder, team manager for track and cross, committee member, catering manager and many more. A highlight this year was seeing a former young athlete compete in Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games. For more than 30 years of continuous and dedicated service, this person has helped so many young people on their journey through athletics and someone the whole of Andover should be proud of.
Since the age of about 18, Victoria has dedicated many hours to voluntary work in Andover. She has volunteered regularly to with an Andover Brownie Pack as a Young Leader and as an adult helper with the Special Educational Needs Duke of Edinburgh Award Group. She has also regularly volunteered her help at Purple Oak Support, formally Andover and District Mencap. Her years with the SEN DofE Award Group she not only assisted with the training of those participating in the group, supporting them and helping with their expedition trips, she was also a role model as she was an Award achiever.
After her health deteriorated, this person had to stop working with those groups, but still does volunteer at Purple Oak. She is very dedicated to this charity as her time helps support the staff, freeing them up to spend more time supporting their clients. She is now an ambassador for the charity, hoping to raise the profile of their work through fundraising and meeting groups in the local area. She has also spoken to students at Winchester University and held Purple Day Epilepsy Action events to help raise the profile of those with epilepsy and their families within the area.
This person is very dedicated to the charity despite her health holding her back sometimes. Yet, she takes her role very seriously, as she wishes to help those who has supported her over the years, live an independent life as much as possible.
Ronnie supports and helps English, Chinese, Thai, Japanese people, and especially vunerable people with poor English skills or without computer skills to cope with modern Britain. He helps desperate people apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or apply for British citizenship, and apply for extension of student visas. He helped those who were at threat from being sent back to Singapore or Malaysia due to their poor English skills. He also helps those apply for benefit grants, child support, social housing for homeless as well as furnishing their homes. He helps non-English speaking parents to deal with their child’s school. Collecting, delivering and donating food to Andover Food Bank for families in need. Helped support people in court, helps someone diagnosed with lung cancer with forms, council and housing support as well as financial help. All this is just a drop in the ocean as to what he has achieved and those who he has helped. He deserves so much recognition for the support he has given to so many people over the years.