2008 North East Award Winners Revealed

7 Nov 2008

Paralympics hero Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson honoured the region's Voluntary and Community Sector stars at the inaugural North East VCS Awards.

Winners were presented with awards by the Paralympics champion and sector officials at a glittering ceremony attended by over 150 people at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland.

The awards recognise the work of the North East’s individuals, staff and Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, in helping to develop our communities. Over 130 nominations were received, ranging from small community groups to large regional organisations and volunteers to paid staff.

The winners are:

• Most Exciting Project: A690 Youth Initiative;
• Most Inspiring Campaign: SmartJustice North East;
• Volunteer of the Year: Keith Willans - St Cuthbert's Hospice;
• Support Organisation: Mental Health North East;
• Sector Champion: Declan Baharani - Wansbeck Initiative;
• Young Leader Winner: Leanne Smith - West End Women and Girls' Centre;
• Compact of the Year: Hartlepool Borough Council; and
• Outstanding Organisation: A WAY OUT.

Jo Curry, chief executive of Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East (VONNE) who organised the event as a partnership project, says: “We were delighted to be involved in organising this very first event, particularly as there has been such a staggering response across all award categories.

“I have been humbled and inspired as the nominations rolled in and I was struck that in many instances individuals in the sector overcome personal adversity in order to assist others. We were flooded with examples of people who quietly get on with improving the lives of others day in day out. It was clear that those making the nominations welcomed the chance to celebrate the difference that those people make.”

Jo sat on the judging panel alongside ten others from the sector including Ian Dodds from Government Office for the North East. Ian says: “There are a number of individuals and organisations that are achieving phenomenal work and therefore enforcing strength in their communities.

“By celebrating these institutions we are highlighting success and proving how essential this kind of work is to our region’s future development.”

For further information on the winners visit www.vonne.org.uk/awards

Ends

Notes to the editors

1. VONNE is the regional umbrella body for the Voluntary and Community Sector. VONNE organised the awards on behalf of a steering group of voluntary and community sector representatives and public sector agencies, following the launch of the North East VCS Leadership Strategy earlier this year.
2. The planning group for the awards included representatives from North Tyneside VODA, CSV Newcastle, Barnardo's, Funding Information North East, Durham University Students' Union, and Government Office North East.
3. The awards are sponsored by One NorthEast, Government Office North East, Business Link, Learning and Skills Council, Train to Gain.

Category	Winner & Shortlisted Nominees
Most exciting project	A690 Youth Initiative - Winner
	Recyke Y’Bike
	Gap Project, Tyneside Cyrenians
	Pakistan Cultural Society
Most inspiring campaign	SmartJustice North East - Winner
	Sadberge Village
	North East Home Insulation Partnership
	SmartJustice North East
	North East Right to Learn Campaign
Outstanding organisation	A WAY OUT - Winner
	Hart Gables
	Escape Family Support
	ADDvance
Support organisation	SkillShare North East - Winner
	Mental Health North East
	Stockton Residents’ & Community Groups’ Association
	Middlesbrough VDA
Volunteer	Keith Willans, St Cuthbert’s Hospice - Winner
	Simon Baker, Gateshead Volunteer Centre
	Judith Turner, Stillington Residents’ Association/Parish Council/Luncheon Club
	Pam Scott, RSVP North East
Outstanding Leader	Alan Millward, South Tyneside Football Trust - Winner
	Huffty, West End Women and Girls’ Centre
	Jen Fettis, St Simon’s Community Project
	Dorothy Craw, Recyke Y’Bike
Outstanding Young Leader	Leanne Smith, West End Women and Girls’ Centre - Winner
	Simon Sundberg, Northumbria Students’ Union
	Sam Lavender, Eddy People
	Amy Barber, Eddy People
Sector Champion	Declan Baharani, Wansbeck Initiative – Winner (no shortlist)
Compact	Hartlepool Borough Council - Winner
	Sunderland Compact
	Northumberland Compact

Media contact

Michelle Oliver, Golley Slater PR (Until Friday 31^st October only)
Tel: 0191 2459020 Mobile: 07968673346
Email: Michelle.oliver@golleyslater.co.uk

Carrie Brookes, Information & Communications Manager, VONNE (After Friday 31^st October)
Tel: 0191 233 2000 Mobile: 0779 2065219
Email: carrie.brookes@vonne.org.uk