Community heroes have been honoured at the Love Barrow Awards.
Over 700 people were nominated for the awards’ eight categories, which recognise people or organisations who go the extra mile.
Winners were revealed at a ceremony on Friday at the town’s Abbey House Hotel and Gardens, including the Ambassador of the Year accolade, won by Pat Chapples.
Pat has spent more than 35 years helping to grow Furness Homeless Support Group from a day centre with a few rooms of accommodation, to owning five properties for supported accommodation purposes and a charity shop.
Having celebrated her 70th birthday at the end of November, she stepped down as manager but is still involved as deputy manager of Furness Homeless Support Group.
Pat said: “I only came for a meal and a couple of drinks. I was only a plus one with my daughter Natalie.
“l’m still in shock at winning the Love Barrow Awards Ambassador of the Year.
“What a fantastic surprise and honour, both personally and for the Furness Homeless Support Group charity. It’s so humbling and at the same time I’m so proud of the work our team do in our community, working alongside other charities and partners.”
The People’s Choice Award went to Ellie Walker. Almost 2,600 people voted for finalists in the category.
Chair of the Love Barrow Awards, DT Guest, said: “The Love Barrow Awards directly recognise individuals and groups with the help of the people of Barrow and the surrounding Furness area.
“They don’t put in their efforts for recognition, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get it.
“The awards are only possible due to the continued support from our fantastic sponsors.
“On behalf of the committee I would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity, help and support.
“The staff at Abbey House also deserve recognition and thanks for their warm welcome, expertise and invaluable contributions to ensuring the awards evening was another great success.”
During the evening, a raffle raised a record sum of £1,322, which was presented to CAST Theatre Company, supporting its Pay It Forward Initiative.
The Love Barrow Community Awards is a project run by a community interest company of the same name, celebrating the locality of the South Lakes and Furness Peninsula.
Love Barrow winners
- Student of the Year: Livvy Pattinson
- Finalists: Erin Morgan, Andrew Burton
- Community-focused Business of the Year: Warrior Down LERO
- Finalists: Co-op Funeralcare, Coast Roads Festival
- Teacher of the Year: Simone Beach
- Finalists: Anoushka Anderson, Neil Tippins
- Carer of the Year: Megan Lawrance
- Finalists: Helen Brown, Nicola Jones
- Oak Tree Award: Booktastic Barrow
- Finalists: Dalton ARLFC, Green Heart Den
- Spirit of Collaboration: Councillor Beverly Morgan and Furness Youth Work Partnership
- Group or Project of the Year: Beautiful Barrow Litter Pickers
- Finalists: Ormsgill Warm Hub, CROFTROCK
- Citizen of the Year: Paul Crarey
- Finalists: Gary Hibbert, Jorgie Wilson
- Young Citizen of the Year: Tilly Lawson
- Finalists: Autumn Fisher, Ellie Walker
- Ambassador: Pat Chapples
- People’s Choice Award: Ellie Walker
