Hull in print : Who makes a difference in your community? We want to know

'As an artist in the community, winning an award meant a lot. Being recognised has enabled me to branch out into other areas of involvement, like gaining access to schools, working in conjunction with social workers and occupational therapists and providing many other opportunities'

Community Pioneers winner David Okwesia, pictured above.

Local people who make an exceptional contribution to their communities are about to get the red carpet treatment. Launched last year, the Community Pioneers Awards aim to recognise those who exemplify Hull's pioneering spirit in their every day actions.

Seventy people were nominated and Ken Barton, who runs the Dorchester Sports Initiative, was named the overall winner. Organisers Cityimage are hoping for an even bigger response this year. The prize for the overall winner of the second annual Community Pioneers Awards is an all expenses paid weekend to Barcelona.

Meanwhile five runners up will receive VIP tickets for the opening of the world ocean discovery centre, The Deep, and all those nominated will be invited to a special awards ceremony in May. Project marketing manager Emma Pearson-Kendall said: "When people talk about Hull's pioneers, they usually think of William Wilberforce or Amy Johnson. "But there are pioneers in every neighbourhood and community who are making a difference on a daily basis."

Emma said that anyone of any age who has made a consistently positive contribution to local life can be nominated. Organisations can be put forward as well as individuals. She added: "It might be someone who has been a committed volunteer working for the whole community or it could be someone who takes care of a single person like an elderly neighbour."

As well as there being an overall winner, awards will be made for each of the five pioneering values: creating, leading, innovating, challenging and discovering. Nomination forms for the Community Pioneers Awards are available across the city at libraries, youth clubs and community centres. A form will also be printed in the Hull Daily Mail.

Alternatively, you can simply write to: Freepost Pioneering, (no other address or stamp required), saying in no more than 50 words why the person or organisation you have nominated deserves an award. Please include your own contact details as well as those of your nominee. The closing date for nominations is March 26 2001, sponsored by Hull Cityvision, The Hull Daily Mail, The Deep, KIT, Smith and Nephew and Princes Quay.

Community Pioneers
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Issue : February/March 2001