Town awards for vaccine centre heroes and Poppy Appeal volunteer

THE winners of Melksham’s Group of the Year and Person of the Year 2021 have been revealed. Melksham’s Covid vaccination team at Spencer Sports and Social Club, has been awarded Group of the Year and Poppy Appeal organiser, Trevor Paterson, has been chosen as Person of the Year.

The winners of the competitions, run by Melksham News, were chosen by a panel of judges; Melksham’s mayor cllr Jon Hubbard, chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr John Glover, and Melksham News editor, Ian Drew, following nominations made by local people.

Group of the year winners, Melksham’s Covid vaccination team, were nominated for their ‘gold standard service’, helping to deliver over 87,000 Covid vaccinations since they began work in December 2020.

One of their nominators said, “We have been so fortunate in Melksham to have such a dedicated group who when they signed up, cannot have realised how long they would be committing to. They have been friendly, supportive and efficient – what a great team.”

Dr Abby Burgess, Covid-19 Vaccination Programme lead, said, “The Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network Covid Vaccination team are thrilled to have been voted ‘Melksham’s Group of the Year 2021’. It is truly wonderful to receive this award which recognises the incredible contribution of so many local people who have given their time so generously over the last 12 months to make the vaccination programme such a success.  

“So many of our local community have come forward to support the vaccination drive in a bid to get as many people as possible vaccinated and protected against Covid and what an amazing job they have done! We have nearly 200 volunteers who between them, have contributed to the delivery of 87,000 Covid vaccinations.”

Person of the year, Trevor Paterson, was nominated for his organisation of the annual Melksham Poppy Appeal and the Remembrance Day parade; and his active involvement in the Melksham branches of RAFA and British Legion.

Since Trevor began organising the Poppy Appeal in 2013, just under £175,000 has been raised by Melksham and the surrounding areas.

He also organises the local Wings Appeal, raising money for the RAF Association to help them offer vital welfare support to the RAF community. He is also a committee member of the Friends of St Michael and All Angels Church.

“I was very surprised to be nominated for the Person of the Year award,” said Trevor, “and even more surprised to be told that I had won the award!

“Having been involved in the many organisations in Melksham over these past years, I suppose the most enjoyable has been running the Poppy Appeal, and being involved with the annual Remembrance Parade and church service, followed by the wreath laying ceremony.

“I am delighted with the response of the Melksham residents, who volunteer to assist with the Poppy Appeal each year, without whom we would not have had such wonderful collections.”

Dr Abby Burgess, Covid-19 Vaccination Programme lead, added about the team, “These wonderful people have manned the car park (in all weathers), welcomed and guided people, manned reception, sorted IT issues, mixed and managed vaccines, as well as delivering the all-important Covid vaccine into arms. They have done all this with a willingness, commitment and sense of humour that has made the clinics such a rewarding and happy place to work.

“In addition, this award reflects the achievements of Giffords, Spa and Bradford on Avon surgeries who have delivered an uninterrupted primary care service throughout 2021, as well as the vaccination programme. 

“Our thanks go to the Spencer’s committee for their ongoing support and flexibility in providing such an excellent venue for the programme.

“Knowing the vaccine drive has protected so many of our local community against serious illness from Covid-19 keeps the Covid vaccination team driving forward. 2022 sees the vaccine centre continue at Spencer’s with numerous weekly clinics.

“Our best reward is seeing people of all ages (over 12yrs) continue to book their boosters or come along and get their first or second dose of vaccine. So please spread the word and book an appointment on the National Booking Service or just walk in to one of our clinics.

“I know I speak on behalf of the whole team in saying how proud and grateful we are to have won this award – thank you to all those who nominated us and to the panel for making us the lucky recipients of this prestigious local award.”

Runners up

Runners up for Person of the Year 2021 were: Ellie Wright for her work supporting Melksham’s youth throughout the pandemic and her part in opening a new youth centre in Atworth; Robbie ‘Morphman’ Newton who last year celebrated reaching a milestone of raising over £100,000 for charity – in 2021 alone he raised over £13,000 by running in the London and Brighton marathons and by organising several other events; and Russell Hillier, for his devotion to running the Melksham Walking Football Club, creating a group where people can get fit, develop new friendships and improve their confidence and mental wellbeing. 

The other nominees for Group of the Year 2021 were: Melksham Food Bank for their ongoing support – both prior to and throughout the pandemic – to support local residents in need; and Melksham Bloomers for their work to improve the appearance of the town.