Press Release Summary: OUTSTANDING efforts to transform their communities have earned four local residents Good Citizen awards.
Press Release Body: An audience at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel listened to moving stories of individuals whose dedication has helped reduce crime, draw communities together or brought improved living standards.
Award co-ordinators Bournemouth 2026 said choosing three winners from so many worthy nominations was quite a task.
Crackerjack star Ed Stewart was guest of honour at the event.
The award for Citizen of the Year, sponsored by Liverpool Victoria, went to 44-year-old Anthony Duck, manager of the Avenue Shopping Centre, for his drive within the Bournemouth Retailers Reducing Crime Town Centre partnership.
By sharing information and intelligence the partnership has helped to recover £89,000 worth of stolen property and around 1,770 shoplifters have been excluded from town centre shops.
Bournemouth Mayor Cllr Anne Filer, who presented the awards, said: “Anthony’s outstanding efforts benefit visitors, residents, Dorset Police and town centre businesses.”
The Voluntary Service Award went to Colin McLean and Ralph Weeks, who established a thriving table tennis club in Townsend and coach the sport at Porchester School.
The Equality and Diversity Award was presented to staunch supporter of cancer charity Tenovus, Shirley Sherman, 73. As well as donating her birthday to the charity each year, Shirley works closely with dementia patients in local care homes and has secured lottery grants for new equipment.
Winners in each category were presented with £250 to give to a charity of their choice.
Runners-up included Brenda Light who started a pop-in club for the over 60s at St Thomas Church, Westbourne neighbourhood watch coordinator Annie Robertson and Sue Dennett and Julie Lankshear who set up Caring Canines – an organisation visiting schools and hospitals with their dogs to give companionship and therapy.
Debbie Clifton, Development Manager at Bournemouth 2026, said: “It was great to see so many people coming together to celebrate such amazing local characters.
“The winners and the runners up are a great example and I hope they’ll be an inspiration for others to work to improve quality of life within their communities.”
Money raised at the dinner and raffle, which took place on Friday September 14, will go to The Community Foundation for a project encouraging intergenerational work between older and younger people.
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