Olympic reward for town's unsung heroes
Correspondent • Published 24 Jun 2012 09:30
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KIND-HEARTED neighbours who go above and beyond the call of duty and an inspirational teenager are three of the town's unsung heroes being rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Keith and Mary Cox, of Cornwall Avenue, Slough, are the lucky winners of tickets to the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, after being nominated for Slough Borough Council's local heroes Olympic giveaway by a neighbour.
The retired couple, chosen by a judging panel including Mayor of Slough, Christine Small, were nominated for the help and support they give elderly neighbours with 'nothing being too much trouble'.
Mr Cox, 72, said: "We were amazed because we didn't know we had been put forward. We only do what a lot of other people would do really.
"It's quite an honour, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Sarah, a foster child, has been chosen to attend the opening ceremony of the Games in London. The 14-year-old was nominated for her 'positive attitude to life', 'determination to take on new experiences' and 'her inspiration to Slough's children and young people in care'.
She said: "I was shocked and really happy. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
As well as the prestigious tickets to the opening and closing ceremony of the Games in London, 21 pairs of tickets to rowing and sprint canoeing at the Eton Dorney Olympic venue are also being presented to Slough's unsung heroes.
Some of the lucky winners include Robbie Brown, 9, whose parents have been foster carers since he was born and has had a positive impact on foster children and Jamie Tearle, 14, who suffers Neurofibromatosis and despite undergoing multiple operations for his condition never complains and 'is always seen with a smile on his face making the best of everything'.
Other winners include Jayne Donnelly, who has worked with Berkshire East and South Bucks Women's Aid since 2006 and in 2007 made the life-changing decision of donating a kidney to her best friend whose life was threatened with a heredity kidney disorder. Only 12 months after the operation, she also embarked on a walk of the Great Wall of China to raise vital funds for charity.
Tickets have also been given to Zahra Mahdavi-Soltani, a voluntary advisor for Slough Citizens Advice Bureau, who despite suffering a life-threatening illness three years ago which has left her with a disability of her own, continues to volunteer in the community and look after her disabled son. As well as Hilton Callaghan and Jamie Green, from SWIPE music centre, Ali Ellahi, who has worked at Chalvey Youth Centre for more than 10 years and Paul Lampard, a chef volunteer at TVPS - a sexual health charity - for 15 years.
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