WINNERS of Melksham News’ Person of the Year and Group of the Year for 2023 are community stalwart Tracie Winslow, who has raised thousands for local charities; and the team at Melksham Food Bank.
Person of the Year, Tracie Winslow, was nominated for her fundraising work, where she has raised over £25,000 for charities including Wiltshire Mind, RUHX and local cancer charities.
The money includes over £7,500 raised last year through an annual live music and family funday for Wiltshire Mind, an independent mental health charity providing counselling and peer support. Tracie says the funds raised enabled 21 children to receive a 12-week counselling course each, which costs £360 to run. Her nominator described her as ‘a fundraising hero’.
The Group of the Year, Melksham Food Bank, was nominated for their efforts in handing out food parcels to residents in need. Last year, they handed out 9,036 food parcels, an average of 753 per month, over two distribution days per week. They said they were ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be chosen.
The winners of the competition, run by Melksham News, were chosen by Melksham’s mayor cllr Simon Crundell, Melksham Without Parish Council chair John Glover and Melksham News editor Ian Drew, following nominations made by local people.
“To whoever nominated me and to the panel who chose me as the winner, I’m so grateful,” says Tracie. “I love fundraising. I live by the motto, ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind.’”
Over the years she has raised over £14,000 for MIND, £10,000 for RUHX and nearly £1,500 for other cancer charities and has taken part in Cancer Research’s Race for Life and shaved her head.
“I didn’t realise I’d reached the £25,000 mark until I was asked to add it all up! It’s a lot of hard work, months of prepping, but worth it all. I couldn’t achieve any of it without my friends and family who support me every year, the performers who give their time for nothing and local businesses who are so generous.
“Wiltshire Mind has a very special place in my heart. Mental health issues are on the rise all the time. They are an independent charity who rely on voluntary contributions. They offer low-cost services for adults, young people, peer support, mental health training and school wellbeing. Any donation at all makes a difference.”
Chair of trustees of Melksham Food Bank, Melksham Group of the Year, Alan McFall said, “Members of the food bank team were absolutely thrilled to be told they had won the Group of the Year Award. We were especially pleased to know that we had been nominated by people in the community, readers of the Melksham Independent News.
“Last year was particularly hectic in May/June and December due to the number of bank holiday Mondays – days on which we were closed and required to issue two, sometimes three weeks’ parcels on one day. We look forward to no further coronations and Christmas holidays falling other than on a Monday!
“We all feel that this voluntary work is the service to which we are called and that we are representing so many other local citizens who wish to see no-one, especially children, go hungry. Whilst we do not seek recognition, we see this award as a confirmation that many of our fellow citizens are behind the effort for as long as there is a need.
“Regarding the future, we pray for the day when we can close the operation but, in the meantime, we are confident that the work will go on for as long as the need continues and our fellow townspeople and wider community continue their wonderful support.”
Runners up
Other nominations for Person of the Year were: Adrienne Westbrook, Community Larder; Wendy Isaacs, Pet Food Bank; Russell Hillier, Melksham Walking Football; Dee Pheese, local singing group leader; Grant Gardiner, Wiltshire School of Gymnastics; Carolyn Fernandez, leader of Shine Friendship Group; Trevor McMaster, who battled to save two popular local footpaths; Louisa Lewis, Melksham Free Dining; Barry Holloway, fundraising bike rider; Teresa Strange, clerk at Melksham Without Parish Council and local volunteer and Deborah Burns, Melksham Cricket Club.
Other nominations for Group of the Year were; the Community Larder team; Bowerhill Baby and Toddler Group; Melksham & District Link; Melksham Stags Mixed Ability Rugby; Melksham Lions; and Melksham Free Dining.
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