BEV Viveash is Melksham’s Person of the Year 2016, as voted for by local people in recognition of her volunteer work and charity fundraising.
Hundreds of votes were counted and Bev finished top of the poll in Melksham Independent News’s annual competition, which recognises people who have given the most back to the town.
Bev was nominated for her years of volunteering and raising money for charity.
She has been Brown Owl for Melksham Brownies for 23 years, runs two local knitting groups, and has helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Bath’s RUH in memory of her daughter Nicola, who died in 2013.
In 2016 Bev’s fund in memory of Nic, which is contributing to the new cancer care centre at the hospital, topped £10,000. She is also the chair of the local RUH fundraising group, which has raised around £40,000.
On winning, Bev said, “I was so surprised to get the call, then felt really pleased when it had sunk in! A lot of what I have achieved I couldn’t have done without the help of others, so thank you to all my friends and family who have been so brilliant.
“I will keep raising money for the hospital because I want that cancer unit built. My fundraising has been so well supported by local people and it’s important to me to be able to do it in Nic’s memory. The work doesn’t stop here!”
Ian Drew, editor of Melksham Independent News, presented the winner’s shield to Bev last week.
Ian said, “Congratulations to Bev on winning our Person of the Year award for 2016. Bev has raised an extraordinary amount of money for the RUH, as well as volunteering to run other groups in the town. This award is all about recognising people who give a lot back to their community so Bev is certainly a worthy winner. All our nominees this year were deserving and all make significant contributions to the town and the brilliant community spirit we have here in Melksham.”
Other nominees this year were rail campaigner Graham Ellis; AFC Melksham disabled football club organisers Brian and Jean Evans; Young Melksham founder Jon Hubbard; food bank manager Hilary McFall; and deputy town clerk Miriam Zaccarelli.
Support Melksham News
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation to support independent reporting in Melksham.
Send us your news!
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share? Have you seen something you feel needs more attention? Get in touch with a reporter today!
✉️ Click here to get in touch with a reporter
