Nominations Open for 2021 Community Champion Awards
Nominations for the Henley Herald Community Champion Awards 2021 are now open. With 2021 still be affected by the pandemic the Henley community has worked hard together with many people offering to support others in these unprecedented times. The awards will honour those individuals who have gone above and beyond this year – proving that Henley is a very special place. With sport returning this year, the Young Sporting Superstar Award returns for 2021. There will be no judging panel – the public will decide on who the worthy winners of the following awards should be by reading their nominations and voting on line during November. To nominate, please complete the online form below.
Charity Champion
Sponsored by Henley Self Storage
Awarded to a person who has given up their time voluntarily to help out a charity or good cause whether that be fundraising or volunteering time, or both. It is not perhaps about how much money they’ve raised but more about the challenges they’ve overcome.
Heart of Gold Neighbour/Covid-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer
Sponsored by Meadow Farm Studios
An army of volunteers of the Henley and Shiplake Covid-19 Mutual Aid Groups continued to support and help neighbours during 2021. There were many other neighbours too this year just looking out to help others in these times of needs. Nominate your volunteer or neighbour for their acts of kindness or someone who just brightened up your day.
Customer Service Champion
Sponsored by Brakspear
In memory of Rob Myles-Hooton who died in 2017 (who worked at The Three Horseshoes, The Queen’s Head and the Landlord of The Old Bell pub) who prided himself on giving a warm welcome to all his customers.
Awarded to a business or employee who goes above and beyond to give first class service and customer experience.
Young Sporting Superstar
Sponsored by IBS Office Solutions
In memory of Simon Priestley who had a real passion and was an all round natural at all sports. He was a regular team player at Henley Hawks for 18 years, a junior Hawks coach and a keen mountain biker.
Awarded to a young rising sporting star between the age of 11-18 who is excelling in any sport.
Top Teacher/Teaching Assistant
Sponsored by Southern Plant & Tool Hire
Awarded to a teacher or teaching assistant who has shown extraordinary commitment to have a positive impact on the lives of local children through their enthusiasm and commitment, both at school and particularly throughout homeschooling during lock down this year.
Community Champion
Sponsored by The Head Partnership Solicitors
An individual who takes pride and gives service to the community through hard work, dedication and commitment. An all-rounder who perhaps combines working with local community groups, charities, schools, sports clubs etc.
Award Nominee’s Criteria
All nominees must live or work in central Henley-on-Thames or within 3 miles including Shiplake and Harpsden.
Nominees can be any age. Award winners cannot be nominated in the same category again (see list below).
The Customer Service Champion must work for a central Henley business but may live outside the town.
Describe your nominee – up to 100 words and give an example to highlight the reason why they should win the award. These words will be published with the nominee’s name for the public to vote on.
Closing Date for nominations is Thursday 28 October 2021 at 5pm.
Public voting opens on Tuesday 2 November and closes on 30 November.
By completing the Nomination Form you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy in line with GDPR Regulations May 2018.
Previous winners were:
Charity Champion – Sue Prior from Nomad (2018) Hilary Arthur from Riverside Counselling (2019) Gary Boys (2020)
Community Champion – Laura Reineke from Henley Music School (2018) Keith Whiting (2019) Tom Fern (2020)
Heart of Gold Neighbour – Louise Hastings (2018) Brian Dix (2019) David Eggleton (2020)
Top Teacher – Tim Hopkins from Badgemore (2018) Luke Harding from Gillotts (2019) Kelly Chapman (2020)
Customer Service Champion – Josette Ofiera – WH Smith (2018) Lin from Sainsburys (2019) Amelia Legg from Waitrose (2020)
Young Sporting Superstar – Georgina Robinson-Ranger for Rowing (2018) and Olivia Belcher for Gymnastics (2019)
Make Us Smile Superstar – Charlotte Sutton (2020)
Awards Party in aid of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire
Sponsored by ManningUK
We hope that we will present the awards to the winners on Friday 4 February 2022 at an Awards Party at Henley Rugby Club. Other arrangements will be made if we are unable to. The winners will each receive a specially commissioned silver pin badge made by Studio 35 jewellers in Henley and a framed certificate. The party will be raising for money for Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, our charity of the year. Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire are Oxfordshire’s lowland search and rescue team who are available 24 hours a day to support Thames Valley Police and the other emergency services in and around Oxfordshire. The team are primarily tasked with searching for vulnerable missing
people including missing children, people with dementia and those in need of mental health support and are called out on average over 70 times a year. The team are also available to support Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue and the Local Resilience Forum during flooding and extreme weather events. The charity consists of around 80 volunteers trained to a national standard and are funded entirely by voluntary donations. Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire are proud members of Lowland Rescue, one of the UK Search and Rescue governing bodies, and were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019.
