Mike Dixon
Mike is involved with lots of projects in Airedale. He's the chair of Airedale Neighbourhood Management Board, is involved in their projects and events and organises things at Airedale Food Bank including collecting donations and delivering food parcels.
As well as this Mike runs Airedale Boys Brigade and volunteers with the Airedale Methodist Church. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of people who have benefitted from attending events, receiving food parcels or enjoying activities that have happened due to his hard work.
Mike has also organised litter picks and is also involved with Chrysalis in Airedale that includes a computer recycling project. Mike enjoys managing and organising all these things but is often reluctant to take credit.
Oliver Hajba
Oliver has been nominated for his work in the Ferrybridge community. He has been fundraising for the Ferrybridge Community Centre for the last two years and has raised around £5000 for the cause.
The community centre was flooded in January this year and subsequently closed for four months, and Oliver stepped up to the plate, organising the refurbishment work. The refurb was a huge success and the community centre survived and is now thriving thanks to Oliver’s help.
Recently Oliver has taken up the role of setting up a food pantry supported by Wakefield Council at the Ferrybridge Community Centre. The service met with overwhelming local need and currently has 20 members and a waiting list.
Colin Hardwicke
Colin is Chairperson of the Barrack Community Association (BCA), a small committee of six members of which Colin is a crucial member. The group said it would never be able to do what they have done or accomplished if it were not for his knowledge and care that he has given the community.
They said: “Considering his physical restrictions he always has time for people and if we as a committee are struggling, he is there for us. He has values that has helped many people in the community in the past years and up to this day.
“Colin takes a very active part in Communities Together and is now the Chairperson for this which means his positive and helpful nature now not only assists the BCA but also many wider community groups who look to him for support and assistance. Colin is an inspiration to all who meet him.”
Anne Waring
Anne has been giving her heart and soul to make Stanley a welcoming, inclusive community through her voluntary work for many years. She has volunteered with the Stanley Residents' Group (SRG) since 2016, for which she has been Treasurer and Communications Officer, and she does further voluntary work in the local community.
She devotes an enormous amount of time every week to improving life in Stanley and her optimism and determination is bringing people together to achieve things despite the obstacles. Anne readily rolls up her sleeves to do whatever is needed.
She can be seen digging gardens, pounding the streets to talk to people, posting information on noticeboards and social media, picking litter, selling soft toys she has knitted herself to raise funds, and determinedly sleuthing out the right people to help achieve every goal. She has liaised effectively between local people and representatives from other organisations, including WDH and WMDC, to ensure every project is suitable, safe and sustainable.