Croydon groups scoop prizes at Heart of the Community awards

by Holly Thompson

newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk

The deserving winners of our Heart of the Community awards were announced last night at a lavish awards ceremony.

Thirteen community groups poured into Reigate Hill Golf Club yesterday to find out how much of the £12,000 prize had been awarded to their organisation.

The Heart of the Community awards were organised by East Surrey and Sussex News and Media (ESSN) and sponsored by Barclays Bank, to reward those tirelessly working in our community to better the lives of others.

Attendees enjoyed a three-course meal, before the awards were distributed by the Reigate and Banstead's Mayor, councillor Richard Mantle.

Editor-in-chief for ESSN, Ian Carter, said: "It was a fantastic evening, and it was a humbling experience to meet so many deserving winners.

"It is easy to overlook some of the fantastic work taking place in our community, and I am delighted we were able to put such worthy causes in the spotlight. We look forward to doing the same again next year."

Winners of the £500 cash prizes:

ACLT – A Croydon-based charity that promotes bone marrow and blood donation.

Post Pals – An organisation in Little Bookham that organises parties for seriously ill children.

Whitgift Special Needs Activity Project – A Croydon-based summer programme for young people with physical or learning difficulties.

Bloomin' Arts – A theatre group in South Godstone that helps adults with learning disabilities put on professional performances.

Woodhatch Community Centre – A centre that provides a meeting place for 50 local clubs and groups.

Mid-Surrey Mencap – A Leatherhead-based summer playscheme for children with learning difficulties.

Winners of the £1,000 cash prizes:

Caterham Festival – An event that brings the community together and creates a "feel good" vibe in the area.

Chase Hospice Care for Children – A service that helps support children who sadly aren't expected to reach adulthood.

Manor Green Primary School, Ifield, Crawley – A special needs school for children with profound and multiple learning and emotional behaviour difficulties, severe and moderate learning difficulties, visual, hearing and speech impairments.

The Shell Singers at St James' Church, Riddlesdown – A group of singers that provide musical workshops for young people during the school summer holidays.

Winners of the £2,000 cash prizes:

28th Croydon Scout Group – An Addiscombe-based Scout group that desperately needs to re-build their old equipment store.

PSDS – Stands for Providing Support for Children with Down Syndrome and their families. Based in Outwood.

Winner of the £1,000 special:

Pitstop – A Leatherhead-based service for homeless, unemployed and isolated people living and passing through the Mole Valley area.

See next week's Croydon Advertiser for more on the winners and more pictures from the awards evening.