Entries for extraordinary retired people living in the Midlands have been flooding in following the announcement last month from Britain's leading retirement specialist, McCarthy & Stone, that it is holding its first National Retirement Awards in 2012.
The awards, which are being organised by the retirement developer, with the support of Olympic and Commonwealth athlete, Dame Mary Peters DBE, have been designed to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by over 60s living up and down the country.
Just one month into the nominations period, the Midlands is already proving there is no shortage of inspirational retirees living across the region:
Nominated in the Community category, Margaret Woolley (76) from Countesthorpe has been recognised for time working tirelessly in the local community to support others. In addition to caring for her elderly sister and a widowed neighbour, she is incredibly active in her local University of the Third Age, organising activities and running groups. Despite suffering from arthritis, she never complains and gives so much to others without ever waiting to be asked.
Young at heart, Carl Gunns (65) from Birstall runs a very successful boxing gym for young people and children with learning difficulties. He is at the gym five evenings a week, and on a Sunday morning, and never turns anyone away. He puts 100% effort in to helping keep young people off the streets and his dedication has been described as 'exemplary'.
Also nominated for the Community award is the Sutton Coldfield Fifty Plus Leisure and Learning Club, which for the last thirty years has run weekly meetings and excursions exclusively for the over 60s.
Richard Williams, Regional Managing Director for McCarthy & Stone, comments: "As Britain's leader in retirement living, McCarthy & Stone is looking to celebrate the often overlooked achievements of those people aged over 60, many of whom are doing fantastic work within their local communities. We want to honour these amazing individuals and we've been really impressed with the entries we've received to date. People have until the end of February to make their nomination, so if you know a person or a group of people who have achieved something extraordinary in their later years, get in touch now!"
The five categories are:
- The National Retirement Award for Courage - rewarding an act of courage or bravery, or honouring a personal fight against adversity.
- The National Retirement Award for Community - for those individuals or groups who make a real difference in their neighbourhoods and local community.
- The National Retirement Award for Sport - honouring the achievement in active sport by an individual or a team of retired people.
- The National Retirement Award for Charity - for a champion team of fundraisers or those who give up their own time to help others.
- The National Retirement Awards Overall Winner - for the individual or group that has excelled in any field or discipline.
The winner in each category will scoop a prize of £1,000 while the overall winner will be presented with a cheque for £5,000.
All entries will be judged by an expert panel before being selected to compete at a Regional Final in spring 2012. The winners of the regional heats will go through to a National Final, where awards will be presented by Dame Mary Peters.
People in the Midlands have until 29th February 2012 to send in their nominations for individuals or groups of people who have done something worthy of recognition, excelled in their field or have gone all out to help their local community.
See Also: Property News (6705), McCarthy & Stone (410), Midlands (22)
Date Published: 27 January 2012
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