Meet Fleetwood's latest community award winners

Young volunteers who helped people during the pandemic have joined a long-serving Scouts leader in receiving community awards in Fleetwood.
Coun Craig Armstrong, Coun Mary Stirzaker and Scout leader Belinda Armstrong with her two grandchildren.Coun Craig Armstrong, Coun Mary Stirzaker and Scout leader Belinda Armstrong with her two grandchildren.
Coun Craig Armstrong, Coun Mary Stirzaker and Scout leader Belinda Armstrong with her two grandchildren.

They were all recipients of this year's Community Excellence Awards which have been presented by Fleetwood Town Council.

The awards event was staged at the town's Marine Hall, from where much of the huge Covid relief effort has carried out by Fleetwood Together, the umbrella group which has organised vital relief parcels during the pandemic.

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Three young people, Abbigail Perry, 16, Liam Ashworth, 15, and Liam Wilkinson ,17, were presented with their awards by Fleetwood Town Council chairman, Coun Mary Stirzaker, accompanied by Coun Craig Armstrong.

Abbigail Perry with her community awardAbbigail Perry with her community award
Abbigail Perry with her community award

Coun Armstrong, who also volunteered for Fleetwood Together, praised the efforts of the teenagers, who received a a flurry of nominations for the awards.

Fr Alf Hays, parish priest of St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s RC Church, stated in his nomination of them that he had the privilege of seeing them work over many months.

Coun Stirzaker said: "These three young people exemplify what the council's Community Excellence Awards are all about.

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"They've really done their best for their community during a difficult year and they've volunteered their time and effort freely."

Recognition for Liam AshworthRecognition for Liam Ashworth
Recognition for Liam Ashworth

Abbigail, a college student who is hoping to become a midwife, said: "‘We are really happy to receive the Community Excellence Award as we have worked as hard as could during the pandemic. It was completely unexpected and we are so happy with the amount of people who have nominated us.’

This year's awards also included a Lifetime Community Achievement Award for 63 year old Belinda Armstrong , who has dedicated more than 30 years to 1st Fleetwood 1st Scouts and is currently Group Scout Leader.

Belinda also runs the Scouts' charity shop on Lord Street and has also been involved in the Poppy Appeal for Fleetwood, raising more than £20,000 over the years.

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Belinda was joined by her two grandchildren who proudly stood by her whilst she received her award.

Liam Wilkinson was one of the proud community award winnersLiam Wilkinson was one of the proud community award winners
Liam Wilkinson was one of the proud community award winners

She said; ‘It was quite a bit of a surprise to win this award and I am both grateful and thankful.

"I’m stunned – the trophy is absolutely amazing – I never thought I’d ever get anything like this because I do what I do because I enjoy it and I try and help where I can’."

The three youths were congratulated and received a trophy and an Amazon gift card each, while Belinda received a trophy and a bouquet of flowers.

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