Brenda Abbott and Ann Pearce win Melksham Person of the Year 2014

MELKSHAM’S Person of the Year 2014 has been won by Brenda Abbott and Ann Pearce who lead the Melksham Friends of Dorothy House. 

Hundreds of votes were received in the competition, organised by the Melksham News to find the person who has had the most impact on life in the town during 2014, with Brenda and Ann as a joint nomination coming out ahead of five other candidates.

Both Brenda and Ann help organise fundraising events for the Melksham Friends of Dorothy House and have worked tirelessly year after year for a worthy cause. Both have been fundraising for around 30 years and their 2014 effort pushed the total fundraising for Dorothy House past the £300,000 mark.

Brenda said, “We are overwhelmed and shocked that people have decided to vote for us. We were hesitant about being put forward for the award in the first place as we both feel that others are more deserving but now we have won, we are glad that we went for it.

“We hope that this will encourage others to fundraise or get involved with the Melksham Friends of Dorothy House as it is such a great cause and one which deserves a lot of support.”

Ann added, “I am still in shock. It is such a nice feeling to know that people took the time to vote for us. We feel, as Brenda has said,  that others are more deserving and it is important to note that others play such a big role in the fundraising we do, so this award is on behalf of all of those that do so much.

“Thank you to everyone that voted for us, you have made us both very happy and we are honoured.”

Ian Drew, editor of the Melksham News, presented the winner’s shield last week. Ian said, “I’d like to congratulate Brenda and Ann on being this year’s winner of the ‘Person of the Year’ competition. To have contributed as much as they do, over so many years, is amazing and they thoroughly deserve the award.

“All of the nominees work extremely hard for their local community and they all have reason to be proud. We hope this award helps to highlight all the fantastic work which is carried out to help make Melksham such a great town.”

Other nominees were Norman Drake, Rotary Club member for 43 years and chair of the ArtHouse Cafe; Ken Graham, Melksham’s Poppy Appeal organiser who helped make 2014 a record fundraising year; Vic Oakman, a campaigner who worked tirelessly to bring a successful  community centre to the Forest area; Emma Simonsen, who helped raise awareness of a less-known condition and inspired other young people; and Brian Warwick, coordinator and founder of the Melksham Senior 55+ Forum.