Denham, Gerrards Cross & The Chalfonts Community Board celebrate their local community champions

Our POB Awards were held at our Community Engagement and Celebration Event on June 9th at Gerrards Cross Community Association. The afternoon had a sustainability theme with over 16 exhibitors that are working to address one, two or all three of the pillars of sustainability.

At the beginning of 2023, we conducted a survey to help us determine our priorities for the year and a key priority for us is working together to improve Sustainability. Our event fell in the same week as World Environment Day, and followed Volunteers Week. It celebrated the valuable contribution that volunteers in our community make.

We had presentations from Stewart Pomeroy of The Colne Valley Regional Park and Alex Beckett of Bucks Council.

Helen Mee from The Clare Foundation, sponsors of the Awards, gave a short speech on the work of the Foundation. She also presented the first awards in the Local Community Champion Category.

Buckinghamshire Council’s Vice Chairman, Cllr Mimi Harker OBE, presented the Young Community Champion, Daniel Buckley was not present, but Bethan Thomas was there to collect her award.

Deputy Lieutenant Joanna Barclay presented the Group Awards.

Megan Thomas — 2021 Young Community Champion

On July 3rd, we caught up with our Young Winner from 2021, who missed out on receiving the award last year. Megan Thomas has been volunteering at Chalfont St Peter Youth Club for 4 years and is the older sister of this year’s winner! Both sisters are pictured with Cllr Chhokar.

Local Community Champion

Winner: Vitalina Darnopykh

Vitalina joined a small group of volunteers set up in March last year to make life easier for Ukrainians seeking refuge in Buckinghamshire.

Vitalina’s parents live in Ukraine, and they were able to seek shelter with her. She realised how desperate the situation was for the families who had fled Ukraine with the sudden onset of the war. She decided to dedicate her time and energy to helping wherever she could.

Vitalina has played a core role in every single function of the Ukrainian support group. She is the first point of call for Ukrainian families and for British families who are hosting Ukrainians.

She has helped with translations — dedicating every Tuesday and Thursday, over the last year to helping with Ukrainian English lessons in a local community hub. Vitalina has also helped to run a clothing shelter, providing clothing for those in need, packing donated clothes to send to Ukraine.

Highly Commended: Karen Dickson

Karen is described as a shining light in Chalfont St Peter. She is a Chalfont St Peter Parish Councillor, using her energy to do the very best for the village.

Most recently Karen has gone above and beyond by being the Lead Ukranian Outreach for the local area. She has organised a container at the community centre and is there every week in all weathers, collecting and organising donations for refugees.

She has also collected and arranged for supplies to be sent to the front lines in Ukraine. She knows most of the Ukrainians in the area and they all are very fond of her and grateful for the effort she puts in to help them.

Karen is also heavily involved as a volunteer at the Community Library, arranging activities such as the monthly movie club. She is a trustee for the local branch of Age Concern GX and Chalfonts and is Vice Chair of the Community Centre executive and is actively fundraising to help rebuild the Community Centre.

She also runs a Facebook page where she shares local knowledge and information as well as sharing updates and information to help support and promote local businesses.

Karen is genuinely caring has a huge network and always helps where she can.

Young Community Champion

Winner: Bethan Thomas

Bethan has a desire to make a difference in the community and to show that everyone matters. She is a volunteer at the CSP Youth Centre. She volunteers on a Tuesday evening with young people on the autistic spectrum disorder.

Bethan is a well-liked and an integral member of the team. Young people relate well to her and confide in her.

She is mature in her compassion for others. She has arranged some excellent events including street dance and quizzes for the young people. She is positive and sees the best in others. Volunteering has also helped Bethan to flourish as she gives hope and joy to those she supports.

Highly Commended: Daniel Buckley

Daniel volunteers at the CSP Youth Centre with young people who are on the autism spectrum disorder. He is driven by a desire to support vulnerable young people.

For a few years, and on a weekly basis, Daniel has shown remarkable dedication in building relationships with some of our most vulnerable young people. Many have benefited from his input, and he is very much loved.

Daniel had some knowledge of autism, but through volunteering he has increased his understanding and is now able to relate to young people in a seamless and confident way.

Daniel is gentle and patient giving space to others to thrive through encouragement

Community Group Contribution:

Winner: Chalfont St Giles Village Show Committee

The Village Show Committee runs a traditional village show once a year in September, and a Street Party in the village centre during the summer months.

Funds raised at these events are distributed to village groups and charities. Over the years over £100,000 has been distributed to over 50 different organisations and good causes within the village and surrounding area.

The Show and Street Party are eagerly anticipated by residents as they bring the community together. The Village Show has been run for many years and was only cancelled due to covid and war! During Covid when the Show and Street Party did not take place, monies were still distributed to the local community groups.

The events are professional in their delivery even though they are run by volunteers.

This year, the Street Party hosted the Most Royal of Celebrations for the Coronation. The committee created a spectacular day which all those involved will always remember.

Highly Commended: Macmillan Cancer Support Buckinghamshire South Fundraising Group

The Buckinghamshire South Fundraising Group have worked tirelessly over the last 29 years to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The money they raise is spent in Buckinghamshire so that every person has access to cancer care and support as and when they need it most.

They take part in collections, arrange and organise events as well as give speeches across the county on the incredible work that Macmillan do. They have encouraged change in the community by inspiring others to fundraise and raise awareness of cancer and cancer support at various events that they attend every year.

They care about each and every person in the community and are a beacon of support and care in all the surrounding areas.

They have had many challenges, not least was fundraising throughout lockdown, coming up with innovative ways to fundraise virtually and ensure that the work could continue. During this period they raised an incredible £80,000.