Glowing with Pride

TOMORROW sees the awards luncheon for the ninth Pride in Oldham Awards, launched in 2002 to pay tribute to those individuals and organisations that go that extra mile for the borough and its people.

In the intervening years, hundreds of worthy finalists have received certificates thanking them for their efforts.

Hundreds of individuals and groups have been invited to the yearly event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as finalists, and scores of those have walked away with a coveted Pride in Oldham winner’s trophy.

This year has been no different. There have been quality nominations in all ten categories and the independent judges, drawn from the Pride in Oldham sponsors, have had the difficult task of choosing the finalists and winners.

It is a task they have taken very seriously and the impressive line-up of finalists on the next three pages is testament to the depth of great deeds and work that goes on — all too often unnoticed — within the borough.

The Oldham Chronicle salutes all those nominated — you all helped to put Pride in Oldham.


Pride in Oldham finalists


PROFESSIONAL


Richelle Walsh: customer service

Steve Smith & Chris Holt: improving lives

Maz Aslam: making a difference


HEALTH


Domus Healthcare: helping the vulnerable

Dr Buckley: popular GP

Philomena Wood: children’s nurse


VOLUNTARY

Angela Cosgrove: community work

Lee Marsland: helping youngsters

Rose Lever: after school care


EDUCATION


Noreen Falvey: long-serving dinner lady

Beverley Oxley: student care

Tony Hilton: dedicated site manager


SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS


Charlie Henson: boxing coach

Saddleworth Olympics: dedicated team

John Mellor: RL stalwart


SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT


Katie Zelem: football talent

Matthew Sidaway: squash champion

Mel Whittle: long-serving cricketer


BUSINESS


Strachan Pharmacy: customer service

Upturn Enterprise Ltd: finding job opportunities

Training Into Employment: helping those with disabilities


GROUPS


Highways gritting team: stoic efforts in bad winter

Friends of Stoneleigh Park: reclaimed local park

Uppermill Scouts: transformed scrubland


SCHOOLS

Littlemoor Primary: giving youngsters a voice

Shared Futures Project: teenagers in harmony

Blue Coat School: tackling extremism


READERS’ CHOICE


Gill Bussey: charity fundraiser

Mel Whittle: cricket stalwart

John Newell: talented boxer


SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT


Emma Needham: cool in a crisis

Hamza Ali & James Howard: united against violence

Stephen Rimmer: ‘mystery’ repairs