The very best of Cumbria was celebrated in the latest instalment of an award ceremony.
The Diverse Cumbria awards returned to recognise hard work and outstanding devotion for equality, diversity and inclusion.
Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner Peter McCall presented this year’s Organisation Champion to the Owl Blue charity for the work they do supporting individuals with hidden disabilities in the Maryport area.
Other awards included the Educational Champion, Volunteer Champion and Positive Role Model, with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Sheila Gregory for her outstanding contributions with Carlisle Mencap.
Peter McCall said: “It was a fantastic evening and a great opportunity to recognise the many inspiring nominations from third sector, educational, private and public organisations and volunteers, all helping to make Cumbria the most welcoming place for people to live, work and travel to.
“Awards evenings such as these have one thing at their core, they bring people together and after such a long time away, it was super to share an evening of togetherness and celebrate inclusion and respect.
“For me, the evening highlighted how we all have different beliefs, abilities, sexualities and genders, and if we are all stand together as minorities, we are stronger.”
Ben Vollens, organiser of the Diverse Cumbria Awards added: “It’s always an honour to organise the Diverse Cumbria Awards and seeing all those faces in one room getting the recognition they deserve, fills me with pride.
“We had nearly 200 people in the room on the evening and there was laughter, tears and a lot of celebration which I think a lot of people needed after the last two years. I’m so excited about next year’s event I’ve already started planning it!”
