Ordinary people who do extraordinary things…
Those who give up their free-time to help others…
Those who add to the richness of life in Wigan Borough through their actions…
This is Wigan Life and these are the Wigan Life Awards.
For the first time ever Wigan Council and its partners are preparing to recognise and reward the amazing contribution of those individuals and groups who work to improve the quality of life for us all.
The call for nominations went out in the run-up to Christmas and the team behind the Wigan Life Awards has been inundated with entrants.
Now the votes have been cast, selections have been made and it’s time to open that envelope and celebrate.
There are 13 categories for the awards, each reflecting a special and significant contribution to Wigan Life.
They are:
- Good Neighbour – someone who goes out of their way to be the hero next-door.
- Green and Glorious – individuals or groups responsible for a great community clean-up or environmental project.
- Eco-friendly school – a school that can demonstrate through education and direct action, its commitment to the environment.
- Business contribution – businesses who in philosophy and action contribute to the well-being of the community.
- Life-changing – people who have turned their lives around or who have helped others to do so.
- Partnership Award – two or more organisations who have worked together to make lives better.
- Sports Personality – sporting role models whose efforts inspire others.
- Healthy schools – schools that demonstrate outstanding efforts to improve the health of pupils, staff and the whole school community.
- Children’s Champion – individuals or groups who make children’s lives and education better.
- Health and Wellbeing – public sector workers who have made a significant contribution to improving people’s quality of life.
- Young Citizen of the Year – people under 18 who have helped others in the community.
- Volunteer of the Year – individuals or groups who work to improve the lives of others.
- Ambassador for Wigan Borough – an individual who has helped to give Wigan Borough a positive profile and improve its reputation.
Chair of Wigan Borough Partnership, Lord Peter Smith, who will host Thursday's event, says: “This is a real celebration of those people and groups who are working to improve the quality of all our lives and collectively making Wigan Borough a better place to live.
“Without the contribution of such people, life in our borough would be much poorer so we have organised the awards to thank them for their efforts.
“Sifting through the many nominations was a formidable task and the quality was extremely high. I think it is fair to say that all the judges felt both delighted with and humbled by the sheer volume of people and groups doing fantastic work in our communities.
“Above all we believe Wigan Life is something special and unique and worth celebrating. The groups and individuals we will pay tribute to at the awards are a living testament to spirit of life in our borough.”
