"Ella Richards" | Chalmers News PR

Ella Richards: Molly Olly’s Wishes case study

Posted on May 26, 2020 by admin

WATCHING on as your child is forced to come to terms with a cancer diagnosis is thankfully beyond the comprehension of most parents.

Joining them on their rigorous journey through life-saving treatment partly against the backdrop of a global pandemic, is simply unprecedented – until now.

Sadly, for 16-year-old Ella Richards, from Henley-in-Arden, it’s all-too real after learning a few months ago that she had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Ella Richards, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma — Melanie, Gavin, Charlie, Scarlett and Ella Richards in 2016

Ella knew she faced a serious health battle ahead just at a time when she should have been working towards her GCSEs and planning for her future.

It was only after several months of poor health, endless doctors’ appointments and hospital tests – that the family learned the extent of this battle – with a high-grade and particularly aggressive cancer which had spread throughout her body.

Ella’s mum Melanie recalls: “We were on holiday and she’d just finished her mock exams and was naturally tired but she started sleeping more and more and the doctors just kept saying it’s anaemia or an infection but I knew it was more than that. I had felt for some time that something was just not right.

“We were back and forwards to the doctors. It was traumatic for the whole family. I felt like I was losing her, every day she was just becoming weaker and weaker, not eating, not being able to sleep at night, constantly up and down.

“When we finally did find out, in October last year, it was absolutely devastating. The minute I walked into Ella’s hospital room I just knew it was bad news and from that point on everything moved so quickly. It was like being on a rollercoaster strapped in and there’s nothing you can do. Our lives turned upside down overnight.

She added: “I couldn’t face telling other people at first because I couldn’t take on their reactions while I was still trying to process it all myself. I felt completely numb, why has this happened to us? But at least we had a diagnosis and a plan and knew what we were dealing with.”

As Ella’s health continued to deteriorate, she lost a third of her body weight and doctors at Birmingham Children’s Hospital were forced to make a life or death decision.

“We were really scared when she was in ICU and the consultant said they would never normally start chemotherapy on a child this poorly, but they didn’t have a choice. I just felt like I was living in an alternative world, like a bubble. You don’t feel like you can relate to anyone or anything in the outside world.”

But Ella pulled through and, during six months of chemotherapy, gradually gained back her strength and determination to fight off the disease.

And it was a present Melanie will never forget when, on Mother’s Day in March this year, Ella completed her sixth -and final round of chemo – and soon returned home – but it was a very different world she was coming back to – a world of shielded isolation for her, her mum and dad and two siblings.

Melanie said: “By the time she was having her last bout of chemo practically everyone on the ward was in isolation due to COVID-19. Children couldn’t visit so it was literally one adult, so my husband, Gavin, and I took it in turns.

“The whole family has had to go into isolation for 12 weeks which gives Ella the best chance to fully recover infection-free. But it also gives us back some precious family time. After everything we’ve been through, I just feel blessed to have them all here at home and healthy.”

The day they had all longed for finally arrived a few weeks ago when Ella was given the all-clear of cancer from her latest scans.

But Coronavirus has meant there is still unfinished business when it comes to officially celebrating the news.

Melanie said: “It took two or three days for the news to sink in. My husband and I were walking around in a daze just pinching ourselves.

“When it came to ringing the bell for end of treatment we weren’t allowed to have anyone join us, so she decided she didn’t want to do it and would rather wait until she could do it as a proper celebration with family and friends. We’d been looking at this bell for six months straight waiting for the day to come when she could finally ring it, so we wanted to do it properly.”

Mum and daughter are thankful to local charity Molly Olly’s Wishes, which supports children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses – and which, they say, played a big part in Ella’s recovery.

The Warwick-based charity gifted Ella a £500 Bullring shopping voucher which the teen spent on. Among other things, fake eyelashes and eyebrow treatments after losing her hair.

Melanie said: “Ella had the gift voucher at the time she was at her lowest and weakest, it gave her such a boost and such a focus. To be honest she would have really struggled without it, it brought light to a dark place.”

The spending sprees also also led to a new-found passion for Pandora jewellery and she now proudly sports a bracelet bearing 10 carefully chosen charms symbolising every step of her cancer journey, including a ghosts charm marking her first chemo session on Halloween and a compass charm symbolising how she ‘got back on track after a chaotic journey.’

Ella explains: “I shaved all my hair off before I started treatment because I didn’t want the stress of it falling out. I wanted it to be on my terms. I chose jewellery as another way to express myself because my hair was a big part of my identity before, so wanted something new to add to my identity. Everything they create is unique and tells a story.

“Also, if I wore a cancer ribbon, everyone would know what had happened to me whereas this is something personal that I only know the meaning behind.”

And, of a scrapbook she’s also compiled as a memory of her journey, Ella said: “In the future when I’m having a bad day I can look back at what I went through and it will give me strength and courage for the future. I thought it would be a good coping mechanism for me to distract myself.”

Like her mum, Ella will never forget the valuable role played by Molly Olly’s Wishes.

She said: “Molly Olly’s helped me through the chaos of my diagnosis and chemotherapy, their gift gave me something to really look forward to. Thanks to the charity I could enjoy going out shopping and forget the worries and stress of cancer and feel like a normal teenager again.”

The Henley High School student, the eldest of three siblings, has also had to come to terms with major disruption to her academic career when COVID-19 enforced the cancellation of her summer exams. But, she admits, even this might offer a silver lining.

“I was very behind with my schoolwork because of all the time I’d had to take out, so to know I wasn’t going to be taking my exams was actually a relief because I still had a lot of revision to do. They are going on predicted grades which works well for me because mine were good.”

So good in fact, the talented teen is now setting her sights on sixth form at Alcester Grammar School before hopefully securing a place at one of the country’s top universities – to realise her new ambition of becoming an oncologist!

She said: “I always wanted to be a doctor but now I’m thinking about working in oncology so I can help people like me. There was a nurse on my ward who actually had cancer when she was my age and she made such a difference to me because she actually understood exactly what I was going through – so I want to be able to do that for other people.”

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk

Warwickshire charity celebrates 10 years of supporting more than 16,000 children across the UK

Posted on January 25, 2022January 25, 2022 by admin

“Molly was the reason I started the Charity…when she died, I just knew I needed to help other children like her. Knowing we have made the dark days brighter for more than 16,000 young people is what drives me and the Charity forwards.”

Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw with the familiar Molly Olly’s pink van.

Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly died from a rare kidney cancer. Ten years ago this month, the Charity was officially registered and for such a small charity of only three staff and eight regular volunteers, it certainly punches above its weight.

The Charity emotionally supports children between 0 and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. It does that through its Olly The Brave therapeutic soft toy and award-winning books, as well as donating wishes to children who are facing unimaginable challenges.

To date, more than 16,000 children have been supported all over the UK; more than 13,000 Olly books and toys have reached children at over 70 hospitals and more than £3 million has been raised.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Rachel Ollerenshaw, anniversary — Magnolia House

One of the Charity’s proudest achievements has been funding a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the past three years. After demonstrating the effectiveness of the role and significantly changing the experience for all those who have benefitted from the service, it is now being funded centrally by the NHS.

Rachel explains with pride; “Whilst working with Birmingham Children’s Hospital on the Magnolia House project, we learnt that there was no Consultant in paediatric Palliative medicine for the area…the position just did not exist. There are only approximately 20 in the whole of the UK. We live in Warwickshire where there is one and so we knew the benefits and importance when we nursed Molly at home.

“We decided we would raise the funds and directly pay for a Palliative Consultant for Birmingham to help provide the best care for children with palliative care needs. It is fabulous to see what a real difference this role has made and is making to children’s lives.“

Dr Yifan Liang is that consultant and she knows just how crucial her position is; “Families and clinicians are often anxious about a referral to the palliative care team because so often they worry that this is just about end of life. Whereas my role is about making it possible for children to have to have the best life that they can, rather than necessarily about how long their life is. A lot of my job is about making sure that the children are comfortable; that they have their symptoms controlled; that they have access to activities and how to help them make the most of life.”

Through the success of this palliative post for patients, the hospital has taken on another palliative consultant and they have the opportunity to become a training hospital in the future, once they secure more funding.

Magnolia House is another project that Molly Ollys supported that opened in February 2017. The Charity worked with health professionals at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to create and furnish Magnolia House at a cost of £45K. This has given the hospital a safe, non-clinical and comforting space where medical teams and families can have important discussions about diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care.

More than 2,500 wishes have also been granted all over the UK since the Charity began in 2012. Each wish the Charity donates is unique like each child and over the years, there have been many weird and wonderful wishes delivered. One teenage boy who was a big fan of police interceptors asked to be arrested by police as his wish and of course, the Charity made sure that happened.

Rachel remembers it well: “This was certainly an unusual one but very special. We helped organise a 16^th Birthday party for the boy and the police turned up at his party and arrested him in front of all his friends and family which he was delighted about.”

One child the Charity recently supported with a wish was Ella Richards from Warwickshire who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was 15. Ella faced a serious health battle, but after six months of chemo, she was given the all clear. Molly Ollys gifted her a £500 Bullring shopping voucher which she spent on fake eyelashes and eyebrow treatments after losing her hair, as well as a lovely bracelet which has 10 carefully chosen charms symbolising every step of her cancer journey.

Mum Melanie said: “Ella had the gift voucher at the time she was at her lowest and weakest, it gave her such a boost and such a focus. To be honest she would have really struggled without it, it brought light to a dark place.”

Ella – now 17 – remembers the gift well: “Molly Ollys helped me through the chaos of my diagnosis and chemotherapy, their gift gave me something to really look forward to.

Thanks to the Charity I could enjoy going out shopping and forget the worries and stress of cancer and feel like a normal teenager again.”

Businesses have got it covered in emergency pandemic venture

Posted on May 11, 2020May 11, 2020 by admin

TWO childhood friends and entrepreneurs from Henley-in-Arden are staving off the pandemic’s impact on their businesses by collaborating on a timely new community venture.

Henley House and Henley Printing have joined forces to produce branded face masks responding to a forecast demand driven by easing of lockdown restrictions.

Henley House, Henley Printing, Molly Olly's Wishes, face masks — Tom Cross, Ste Barrett and Sally James outside Henley House.

They’re also supporting neighbouring local charity Molly Olly’s Wishes which will receive a percentage of the profits.

Both businesses, which have been forced to close throughout lockdown, are already seeing a huge demand for the masks from other local firms.

Ste Barrett, owner of Henley Printing, which designs and prints clothing and uniforms, said: “Early demand has been crazy. We received 150 orders in the first 24 hours alone and it’s not stopped since! Most local businesses have now ordered the customised masks, including restaurants, pubs, butchers, builders, and hairdressers. Not just logos – we’ve also had orders for rainbows, smiley faces and even football club emblems.

“We feel that as we are nearing the end of lockdown the need for facemasks is vital in keeping ourselves healthy therefore hopefully taking the strain off the NHS.

Henley House, Henley Printing, Molly Olly's Wishes, Ella Richards — Tom Cross

Ste, who is being supported in his efforts by his girlfriend Sally James, added: “Having been friends for years, we have helped each other out business wise with uniform making and helping each other source materials and suppliers, so decided to collaborate on this new venture as we are all out of work due to the coronavirus, this way helping both of our businesses to survive as well as helping the community to stay safe.”

Tom Cross took over the running of Henley House from his father Adrian recently, a few years after moving from Birmingham. The specialist High Street menswear and grooming business, has been flooded with orders from local firms, all attracted to the customised concept.

And he wasted no time in bringing his old St Mary’s Primary School friend – and fellow businessman – Ste – on board.

“It’s been really tough. I needed to come up with an idea of something to keep the business afloat because our main source of revenue, weddings, have all been postponed. I also have a barber’s in the shop as part of the business and we have no idea how long it’s going to be before that is allowed to carry on either,” said Tom.

“I woke up one Sunday morning and thought, it would be a great idea to add logos, so reached out to Ste to see if he wanted to get involved, and it went from there.”

He added: “I think the time is exactly right for this sort of thing as I believe it will soon be mandatory for everyone to wear them outside.”

Both men have pledged a donation to Warwick-based charity Molly Olly’s Wishes which supports children with terminal or life-limiting illness and which recently worked with a family in the Henley community.

The charity gifted Henley teenager Ella Richards, who was last year diagnosed with cancer, with a £500 Bullring shopping voucher.

Sixteen-year-old Ella, who is shielding due to the pandemic, says the shopping sprees helped her stay positive throughout her gruelling treatment journey as she was able to purchase false eyelashes and eyebrow products to help her overcome the hair loss – as well as indulging in her favourite jewellery at Pandora.

“Molly Olly’s were there for me at the most difficult time in my life. Their gift gave me something to look forward to on the most difficult days of my treatment and helped keep me positive,” said Ella.

“I am so happy that local businesses are supporting a charity that is so close to my heart and the face masks they are making could help make a real difference to vulnerable and shielding people and families like ourselves.”

The charity was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

It works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as grant wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Olly’s Wishes are very grateful to the teams at Henley House and Henley Printing for their support at what is a time of particular need for the charity which has been severely impacted by COVID-19.

“We are so grateful to people for still thinking about us during what are such challenging times for their own businesses – and look forward to receiving our branded Molly Olly masks.”

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk

Masks can be ordered by visiting www.thehenleyhouse.co.uk and Henley Printing at: www.facebook.com/HenleyPrintingCompany

Children’s charity refused COVID emergency cash

Posted on May 26, 2020May 26, 2020 by admin

THE founder of a Warwick charity for children with terminal and life-limiting illnesses is appealing for vital support after missing out on emergency cash to ease the impact of the pandemic to the tune of £250,000.

Many charitable organisations are learning they don’t qualify for grants due to a number of loopholes despite applications for smaller charity grants opening.

Molly Olly’s Wishes was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The Hatton Park-based charity helps with the emotional wellbeing of the children and their families as well as granting wishes and donating therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

It is forecast up to £250,000 in proceeds will be lost to their coffers with fundraising events wiped from the calendar due to COVID-19 for the foreseeable future, including the charity’s biggest event of the year, the Molly Olly Ball, in November.

Last month Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a UK COVID-19 support package worth £750m, including a dedicated £370m for small local charities.

In a live speech to the nation, Mr Sunak said: “Some charities provide critical services to support the vulnerable people and communities. For them, shutting up shop at this moment would be to contravene their very purpose, their entire reason to exist. Those charities have never been more needed than they are now and they’ve never faced such a sudden fall in their funding.

“Some £370m of the funding will support small local charities working with vulnerable people. We all know who they are, those small charities in our village, our market towns, in pockets of our cities, the unsung heroes looking after the vulnerable and holding together our social fabric.

Despite struggling to qualify for the cash lifeline, Molly Olly’s founder Rachel Ollerenshaw says the work to provide vital support must continue.

She said: “Children and families need our support now more than ever. The wishes that the charity grants, the consultant based at Birmingham Children’s Hospital that the charity funds, the Olly The Brave packs distributed to hospitals across the UK – all have a significant positive impact for the children and their families.

“Organisations such as the local children’s community nursing team have turned to us through the pandemic for help connecting with families and a new webpage has been designed by them which will be hosted by Molly Olly’s.

“The work of Molly Olly’s is considered to be relevant and significant by the health professionals and individuals for supporting children with life-threatening illnesses and needs to be maintained.

“Large and small charities work together to improve the lives of children and the virus does not make these children any less vulnerable.”

She added: “Sometimes the work of smaller charities can be overlooked and thought to be less significant. However, from our experience and knowing the work that other small charities do, our belief is that we are all part of a larger jigsaw here to help support vulnerable children through extremely challenging times.”

Having gained its charity status in 2012, Molly Olly’s has so far helped more than 2,000 children from new-born to age 18 by granting individual wishes. They may take the form of equipment to help a child live day to day with their condition; an alternative therapy treatment to complement traditional medicine, or even a special occasion or day out.

Some 30 children a week in the UK are given a cancer diagnosis, and more are told that they have a life-threatening or terminal illness in one form or another. Many of these, especially those diagnosed with leukaemia will be under five years old.

Warwick MP Matt Western is taking up the charity’s case. He said this week: ‘‘I’m deeply disappointed that local charity Molly Olly’s has been denied Government support, given all that they do to help children with terminal and life-limiting illnesses, and their families.’

“There are many amazing charities in Warwick and Leamington that work tirelessly year-round to help residents in need of support, and many have gone above and beyond during this crisis. But to continue this work, charities are in urgent need of financial assistance. I am urging the Government to step up and provide a comprehensive support package to the sector, so that charities like Molly Olly’s don’t fall through the cracks.”

Rachel Ollerenshaw added: “These remain worrying and uncertain times and we need, more than ever, to pull together and support the most vulnerable. If everyone reading this made a small donation it could make a big difference.”

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or details of how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk or contact Rachel on 07747 854914.

Read a case study for Molly Olly’s Wishes here.

And the 2019 Leamington Business Award winners are. . .

Posted on November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 by admin

AN evening of celebration also raised £4,500 for local charities at The Leamington Business Awards.

The 2019 awards, organised for the first time by Leamington Business Forum, shone a spotlight on some of the district’s entrepreneurial success stories.

Established in 2014, the Awards champion and celebrate the work of local businesses, individuals and organisations while also raising vital funds for local charities.

Now in its sixth year, the black-tie ceremony was held at the newly renovated Royal Pump Rooms and presided over by Master of Ceremonies, Dave Sharpe. More than 180 guests were treated to a three-course dinner and drinks, with entertainment and a charity raffle, as well as the awards presentation.

Leamington business Awards 2019, Leamington Business Forum — Photo by Sally Evans Photography.

Commercial property company AC Lloyd scooped Business of the Year as well as Property Business of the Year at the glittering ceremony on Friday night.

For the first time, the Leamington Business Awards included two new categories, the Warwick District Charity Award won by P3 and The Warwickshire Achievement Awards, won by Springfield Mind and Leamington Art in the Park Festival.

The People’s Choice Award winner, sponsored by The Leamington Courier, was revealed as Temperance, a vintage shop, art gallery, cafe, live music venue, art cinema and performance space.

A special surprise award of the night went to Marianne and Archie Pitts. The Leamington Legend Award was introduced by BID Leamington to recognise and express gratitude for the special contribution that people make to Leamington over many years. The award was created in memory of Gerry McManus – the former manager of Royal Priors Shopping Centre and founding board member of BID Leamington — who championed the power of teamwork and greatly valued the work of local volunteers who care passionately about the town.

Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director, BID Leamington said “It was our pleasure to present the first Leamington Legend award to Archie and Marianne Pitts whose contribution to Leamington has been immense.

“They care greatly about our town and for many years have championed high profile projects such as the restoration of the Pump Room Gardens and Bandstand, the Linden Arches and the railway station gardens and war memorial, which benefit us all. They are also strong advocates for the town’s heritage, architecture and narrative and have supported and inspired many other volunteers to aim higher with their passion and enthusiasm.”

Leamington Business Awards, Leamington Business Forum — Photo by Sally Evans Photography

The Business Awards event was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors and local organisations who donated funds, supplies and skills to ensure the continued success of the Leamington Business Awards. Businesses include Bravissimo, IAPS, Lodders, The Royal Priors, Aubrey Allen, The Kingsley School, The Box Factory, Tara & Co, Withers & Rodgers, Harrison Beale & Owen, Bellagio Stone, Prontaprint, ISTEAD and media sponsors Business & Innovation Magazine and The Leamington Courier.

The judging panel was made up of: Roger Scott of Lloyds Bank; Sarah Windrum from IT Consultancy Emerald Group; Louise Richards from touring dance circus company Motionhouse; and Mark Ashfield, Managing Director of HB&O – and former awards organiser.

The awards this year, crafted and designed by Leamington College students Harvey Farren, Libbi Ancill-Griffiths and Melissa Clayton.

Jonathan Smith, of Leamington Business Forum, said: “I was delighted the event was such a success. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and all the winners were well supported on the night.

“The feedback coming back from everyone was that it felt like a real celebration of what’s good about Leamington and the community and the fact that we have included that community element involving the Leamington Legend and People’s Choice and charities awards was appreciated.”

The £4,500 total proceeds from the night will be distributed between the four finalists in the Warwick District Charity of the Year category, winners P3 and Young People First, The Ups of Downs and Leam Trash Friends.

Matt Langsford, founder of Leam Trash Friends said: “This funding is vital to our operations as we rely solely on donations to cover our running costs. The funds will be put to good use to assist with our mission of making the streets of our district cleaner and safer for those who live, work and visit our region.”

David Skoppek, Chief Officer of Young People First, said: “Young People First is deeply appreciative of the Awards. To be highly commended as a charity for our work is more than enough but to then receive the donation is incredible.”

Nicola Enoch, founder of The Ups of Downs said: “We are thrilled to receive a contribution from Friday’s fundraising. As a Leamington based charity we’re always delighted to receive the support of local businesses.”

Plans are already afoot for the 2020 Leamington Business Awards which are being held at on November 13^th. Potential sponsors are invited to contact Jonathan Smith at: leamingtonbusinessawards@gmail.com

Leamington Business Awards 2019 winners in full

New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Lodders)

Bluebasil

This coffee bar and vintage shop opened at the start of May 2018 as a multi-functional shop and coffee bar, situated in the creative end of Old Town. Plans for 2020 include the introduction of a vintage dressing room with expanded clothing range, a small fashion show to launch our vintage wedding dresses and some creative and arty workshops.

Owner Nikki Taylor said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the New Business of The Year award. This means a lot to our whole team who have worked really hard to create a unique and fun environment and bring something extra to Old Town.”

Business and the Community Award – (Sponsored by The Royal Priors)

Wright Hassall LLP

Alex Robinson, Partner at Wright Hassall, said: “We are honoured to have been recognised for our work within the community and to have won the Business and the Community award. We work with clients across the country but we have been a Leamington firm for over 170 years so we take our role within the local area both as an employer and business very seriously.

“As a firm we have a range of initiatives throughout Leamington and the local area which support charities and businesses, reduce our environmental impact, support events such as the Regency Run and continue to run free monthly legal advice sessions.

“This year has been a particularly busy one for our Corporate Social Responsibility team, supported by the firm as a whole and so to be recognised by our peers in the local area in this way is fantastic.”

Judge Sarah Windrum said: “We were incredibly impressed with the continued commitment Wright Hassall make to their local community and in such a variety of ways. They have a Community Fund where the whole company votes to contribute financially to causes close to their own hearts and they actively encourage their employees to take roles on regional boards and supporting them in that process. It’s crucial businesses are involved at all levels of community and Wright Hassall achieve this so well.”

Customer Excellence Award – (Sponsored by The Box Factory)

Modern Homes

The longest established kitchen, bathroom and bedroom business in the area has entered its 52nd year and third family generation.

Tina Riley, Managing Director, said: “As a small independent kitchen and bathroom showroom, we have always put customer service at the top of our agenda, and believe this is why we have a loyal local client base that has supported us through our 51 year history, but to have this award just recognises we have achieved this!”

“The evening was superb and it was brilliant to be part of such a vibrant supportive business community that we are so lucky to have in Leamington Spa!”

Warwick District Charity of the Year – (Sponsored by Aubrey Allen)

P3 Charity

The P3 Warwickshire team forms part of a national charity, offering a diverse range of housing-related support for adults over 25. Operating out of hubs in Leamington, Stratford, Rugby and Nuneaton, street outreach workers identify and, offer support to, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by engaging them with the relevant services.

Esther Barrett, Head of Support and Community Services, said: “P3 are delighted to have been recognised for their persistent and passionate support with people who find themselves on the streets in Warwick District. P3 will continue to work alongside those most vulnerable throughout Warwickshire and we really appreciate the support of local communities and businesses. The funding we also received will really assist our staff to support people further.”

Young Person of the Year (Sponsored by IAPS)

Aaron Watkinson

Aaron Watkinson, 25, from Wolston, is a dancer and education lead at touring dance circus company Motionhouse.

Aaron said of his award: “I couldn’t be more thrilled. It means so much to me that others think I’m making such a positive impact on the young people I work with – I love working with them. My dance teachers inspired me when I was younger, and I want to do the same for the young people I work with.”

Jane Bailey, Communications and Development Director of Motionhouse, who nominated Aaron for the award, said: “Aaron does some brilliant work with children and young people – he’s a true inspiration to the people he teaches, taking them on a life-affirming journey, which is why he thoroughly deserves the award.”

Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Bravissimo)

Playground Games

This BAFTA Award-winning, AAA video game developer and Xbox Games Studio based in Leamington was stablished in 2010 and their latest release is the critically-acclaimed Forza Horizon franchise with Forza Horizon 4, ranking as the highest rated Xbox exclusive of this generation.

Gavin Raeburn, Studio Director, said: “We’re proud to call Leamington Spa our home and so we’re delighted to be recognised at our local awards. This year we’ve expanded to two facilities in Leamington town centre, employing more than 200 staff, and we look forward to many more years of growth and success here.”

South Warwickshire Achievement of the Year (Sponsored by Tara & Co)

Springfield Mind

Established in South Warwickshire 35 years ago, this grant and local authority-funded charity/Limited Company, helps people who are suffering from mental distress. They work with clients individually or in a group setting with much of the focus on early intervention.

Carol Roberts, Policy Officer for Springfield Mind, said: “Springfield Mind provides peer support and drop in at Southborough Terrace, Leamington and Cygnet Court in Stratford-upon-Avon on weekly basis, we have a secret garden in Northumberland Terrace in Leamington and at garden therapy at Lifeways in Stratford town.

“We also deliver Mental Health First Aid and Wellbeing training for local businesses to reduce stigma and promote a positive message around mental wellbeing.

“It was an honour to accept this award in my role as Chair of Trustees for Springfield Mind along with Trustee Ian Carson.”

Innovation of the Year (Sponsored by Withers and Rogers)

3S Knowledge Ltd

3SK is a consultancy, at Warwick Technology Park, which specialises in developing processes and technology designs for complex products like electric cars, trains etc.

Giresh Krishnan, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer, said: “We attended the awards night with no expectations. When our name was announced we were shocked and equally exited. This was a thrilling moment for us as we started our company a year ago and to win this prestigious award was a real heart-warming moment for us and our families.”

Judge Sarah Windrum said: “Infrastructure and engineering are the bedrock of innovation which is why we chose 3S for Innovation of the Year award. Their list of patents was so impressive clearly demonstrating how important it is to protect and commercialise global innovation for an individual business but also for our town. It’s great to see companies like 3S continue to keep Leamington on the world stage for new ideas and innovation.”

Outstanding Achievement of the Year (Sponsored by The Kingsley School)

Leamington Art in the Park Festival

Art in the Park was conceived in August 2014 when Mo Finessey from the Leamington Studio Artists and Carole Sleight along with a lot of friends, family and volunteers welcomed 50 artists and 5,000 visitors to Jephson Gardens. Since then the festival has grown in diversity of artists, music, performers, community outreach and engagement. In 2018 they proudly became the largest free arts festival in Warwickshire.

Judge Mark Ashfield said: “This event goes from strength to strength. The festival showcases the diversity of the talent in the local area and the organisers devote a significant amount of time in delivering such a fantastic event.”

Independent Business of the Year (Sponsored by HB&0)

Lockwoods Ski and Outdoor

This independent family business specialises in the sale and fitting of walking boots, ski boots and all outdoor activity clothing and accessories. The family-run business is now in its 43rd year still operating from the same premises in Milverton.

Manager Hayley Key said: . “This is thanks to our customers who continue to value our family ethos and knowledgeable staff. At this challenging time for retail, and as we move into our third generation of family management, this award is a tribute to the work of my aunt and father, and our amazing team, many of whom have been with us for several decades. We look forward to the decades more to come and of course to the ski season ahead!”

Property Business of the Year (Sponsored by Bellagio Stone)

A C Lloyd

AC Lloyd has been building and developing in the region for more than seven decades and many of the successful commercial schemes across the area have been developed by the group, which currently employs 30 staff.

Business of the Year

A C Lloyd

Mark Edwards, Managing Director of AC Lloyd, said: “We were all thrilled to win the Property Business of the Year, but to then land the overall award was fantastic. It was a great night and underlined the array of superb businesses we have in and around Leamington.

“We work across the country but very much regard ourselves as a Leamington firm. It gives us great pride to see that many of our developments have become home to some the area’s most successful companies – companies who employ local people, create jobs and bring investment. Many of those people also live in AC Lloyd homes helping to create successful communities across the area.

“We – like many of the nominated companies – firmly believe in contributing to our community which is one of the reasons that Leamington is such a great place to work and live. We have a very dedicated team throughout AC Lloyd and they are a major reason we continue to thrive.”

People’s Choice Award (Sponsored by Leamington Courier)

Temperance

Owner Adrian Gains said: “Temperance only opened last year so to win this award is beyond our wildest dreams. We were overwhelmed by the number of our customers that nominated us and that makes it extra special. It was the award we most wanted most to win.”

Leamington Legend Award

Marianne and Archie Pitts