Fiona & Neil Richardson - February
For over 10 years Neil and Fiona have worked tirelessly to raise funds for various charities such as Mercia MS Therapy Centre, Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Special Care Baby Unit. Over the years Fiona has grown her hair 3 times in order to donate it to make wigs for children with cancer, she also had her head shaved to raise further funds for Multiple Sclerosis which Fiona herself was diagnosed with over 10 years ago.
Both Neil and Fiona have worked very hard over the years organising charity events such as concerts headlining local bands and also getting friends and family with musical backgrounds involved. They have both volunteered many hours to ensure that the events run smoothly collecting raffle and auction prizes for the shows and also made DVD’s of the events to maximise the charitable contributions. Their main goal is to raise as much as they can and distribute it amongst different charities but they also love getting the community together and involved in the events to promote community cohesion.
Alongside the fundraising Fiona is also involved in helping individuals who suffer with mental illness, depression and bipolar, through the power of social media she is able to highlight these issues engaging with people who are suffering to make them aware they are not alone.
It is evident to see that both Neil and Fiona are loving and caring individuals willing to volunteer their time helping others however they can, their actions truly reflect their character and it is evident they are both worthy recipients of this Good Citizen Award.
Antony Woan - March
Since 1988 Antony has been a Manager of Whitley Juniors Football Club and with 29 years of service, he is the longest continually serving manager in the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League. Over the years with Whitley Juniors FC Antony has worked with hundreds of children from all walks of life, many of whom have found themselves facing them down the wrong path. Through the game of football Antony has been able to connect with the children and has helped to guide them with the vast majority of these children going on to be law abiding citizens with great careers and families. It is a testament to his success that many have brought their own children back to the club to play football and to benefit from the positive, safe fun and friendly environment which is provided.
Antony has essentially kept the club running for 30 years, during this time he has faced many struggles, from run down facilities to loss of players; these hardships have only encouraged Antony to work harder. He is currently he is in the process of turning a rundown hut on the grounds into something the club can be proud of and a place for the children to go and enjoy. On a daily basis Antony is constantly making arrangements for the club; ordering or picking up kit, arranging for pitches to be marked and all manner of other jobs. Without Antony’s care and devotion the club would struggle and the children would not have a football club in their local area.
To Antony it has never been about recognition, but the joy that the football club gives to children; his actions truly reflect his character and he is a worthy recipient of this Good Citizen Award.
Georgina Egan - June
As artistic director of EGO Performance Company Georgina has dedicated her time and offered her expertise to supporting, nurturing and developing the talents of young people within Coventry, with the goal to create a vibrant place to live and work for all. The work of EGO has not only attracted significant funds into the city for the creative industries but also given new practical skills for many people as they make their way in life.
Georgina is often behind a range of extraordinary events such as the recent Queen's 90th Birthday Celebratory Pageant, where members of EGO paraded down the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty.
Aside from her work at EGO, Georgina has gone the extra mile in expanding the breadth and range of high quality youth activity provided in the city. She has worked on many youth projects, arranged youth community trips to youth festivals around the UK and worked hard to ensure those without the means can attend by raising funds via community events and activities. It is a testimony to her hard work that many of the young people she has worked with have made a transition into work and particularly the creative industries because of Georgina’s genuine care and concern for their future.
In addition, Georgina mentors young people, giving them support in their daily lives, outside of mainstream education and helps them to become independent citizens of Coventry. Outside of the scope of her job, Georgina set up a pay-it-forward scheme to ensure that young people can eat good healthy food at the EGO venue, ensuring hot meals and a range of activities are freely available for the youths.
It is evident that through Georgina’s work she has shown tremendous commitment to the young people of Coventry by investing her time, efforts and resources to help better their lives as well as the City. Her actions properly reflect her character and she is a worthy recipient of this Coventry Good Citizen Award.
Raymond Calcott - September
Raymond served in the Royal Navy on HMS Amethyst as an Able Seaman and in 1949 was involved with the Yangtze Incident in China, where a number of his fellow crew members sadly lost their lives and many others were injured. Throughout the years Raymond has served his country and the City of Coventry to the best of his ability without a second thought.
When he retired from work at the age of 66 he became actively involved with the Royal British Legion and has served as President selling many remembrance poppies particularly in West Orchards Shopping Centre.
Raymond is also a member the Royal Naval Association serving in the capacity of Chairman; he is also a member of the HMS Amethyst Association. For many years he has assisted the Lord Mayor's office offering advice for the organisation of Remembrance Sunday and other armed forces events that have taken place within the city. He also travelled with the Lord Mayor to the launch of HMS Diamond where he was introduced to the First Sea Lord Sir Jonathan Band. He has helped to organise the HMS Coventry service at the Cathedral.
For the last 20 years he has been a very active member of the Stoke community taking the role as Chairman of the Stoke Village Residents Association. Through Raymond’s work he has shown tremendous commitment to our country, his fellow servicemen and the community of Coventry by investing his time, efforts and resources. His actions truly reflect his character and he is a worthy recipient of this Good Citizen Award.
Melanie Griffin - October
Over the years Melanie has worked tirelessly, balancing a young family while also volunteering for Sobs (Survivors of bereavement by suicide), she is part of a dedicated team that offers support to residents of Coventry that have been affected by suicide. Melanie offers her time by holding a support group with the aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other, she also uses various social media platforms to reach out to people and provide support.
Melanie also works for Papyrus ( prevention of young suicide) and again continues to use this position to engage with vulnerable young people of Coventry and where possible signpost them to her support meetings.
Additionally, to increase awareness and raise funds for the charity Melanie partners up with local business to arrange bake sales, bag packs and the running of a Suicide awareness day in local parks. With surplus monies donated to Sobs Melanie has created a small library of educational leaflets and books that survivors can borrow and return the following month which can provide extra support at home. She also involves her family in fundraising activities and has so far raised £8,500 to go towards Young Minds Mental Health charity with Coventry.
The work that Melanie does to help the bereaved within Coventry is fundamental to their recovery she has made such a difference within their lives by providing hope and comfort by investing her time, efforts. Her actions truly reflect her character and she is a worthy recipient of this Coventry Good Citizen Award.