Barrow’s community heroes have stepped into the spotlight and sat down in front of the camera to share the story behind the nomination that has taken them to the finals of the Love Barrow Community Awards 2025.
The finalists for the Love Barrow Awards 2025 have now been announced.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the awards night will be held in the spring.
This year saw a record of nearly 800 nominations across the eight categories. They have all been reviewed and judged by the Love Barrow Awards committee.
Chair of the Love Barrow Awards committee, DT Guest, said: “This year has seen a record number of nominations from the public, who have nominated local individuals or groups who go that extra mile to support others.
“The awards night is a fantastic event, and would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and patrons, and I would like to thank them for once again giving very generously.”
Each finalist has sat down in front of the camera at the Holiday Inn Express, Barrow and at Furness College to talk about their experience as a community champion, sharing the inspiring stories behind their nomination.
The videos will be played on the awards night and shared at the same time on Facebook before the winner of each category is announced.
Now the Love Barrow Awards committee needs the community’s help.
They will shortly be asking for people’s support in selecting the winner of the People’s Choice Award 2025, sponsored by BAE Systems.
DT Guest said: “This award is chosen by the public from one of the amazing finalists, and we will be asking them to vote for their community hero.
Each year the thousands of votes make the award very, very close! We often don’t know who will win until just before voting stops.”
Voting for this will open in mid-January 2025, and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Love Barrow finalists 2025
Community focused business of the year
- Chatsworth Signs
- MKM Barrow
- Charnley’s Home and Garden
Teacher of the year
- David Reddy
- Marion Stanton
- Sue Hannan
Carer of the year
- Valerie Kirkby
- Dawn Huitson
- Sharon Durdu
Group project of the year
- Andy’s Man Club
- 128 (Barrow-in-Furness) Squadron RAFAC
- Furness Group Riding for the Disabled
Citizen of the year
- Ben Tiffney
- Maurice Watkin
- Jonathan Weakley
Young citizen of the year
- Jack Hampshire
- Lincoln Johnson
- Scarlett Hardman
The Oak Tree Award
- Barrow RNLI
- St Mary’s Compassionate Communities team
- Inspira
