No Barriers Awards for Going the Extra
Mile
The second annual Wyre Forest ‘No Barriers’
awards ceremony was held in Stourport on Severn on Friday
18th September. The event celebrated the significant
contribution made by individuals, businesses and organisations to
improving access, service or employment possibilities for people
with disabilities.
The awards were set up in memory of
long-standing District and County Councillor Mike Oborski, who
sadly passed away in 2007. Mike initiated the project based
on a similar scheme in Poland.
Cllr Howard Martin, Chairman of the No
Barriers Mike Oborski Awards Review Panel said:
”The evening was a celebration of the success
of people’s efforts. It is right to acknowledge the time and
dedication all the nominees have put in to ‘going the extra mile’.
We are pleased to continue to develop this initiative which is a
fitting tribute to Mike Oborski.”
Representatives from a number of community
organisations were on the panel that considered the nominations
which were submitted from residents and businesses across the
district.
The No Barriers Mike Oborski Awards 2009 went
to Sam Arnold at Friends of the Elderly, Mick Russell at Blakebrook
School, Peter Minton at Wyre Forest Community Housing, Frederick
Holland at Diabetes UK, Sainsbury’s Kidderminster, Mark
Lawley at Disability Action Wyre Forest, Just for Pets, Kate
Gillespie at St Anne’s Church Bewdley, The Alzheimer’s Society,
Paul Mitchell at Lloyds Garage, Ray Middleton Garage, Beth Bright
at NW Dial, PC Bosley Kidderminster Police Station, Mike Darvill at
Arley Arboretum Estate Office, Jeanette Baldwin at the Stroke
Association.
The evening featured a welcome by Ray Brookes
of The Community Housing Group who hosted the event, an
introduction by Councillor Howard Martin and a personal perspective
from Councillor Fran Oborski.
The guest speaker was Claire Cashmore Wyre
Forest swimmer who competed at the Beijing Paralympics and the
awards were presented by Councillor Gordon Yarranton, Vice Chairman
of Wyre Forest District Council with Lucy Bennett, the Council’s
Equality and Diversity Officer. The ceremony was closed by Leader
of the Council, Councillor John Campion.
Councillor Fran Oborski Honorary Polish Consul
for the West Midlands said: “Mike would be so happy that the No
Barriers initiative is continuing to develop and go forward. He
would also be very proud that the scheme is now being adopted by
neighbouring districts with the aim of making lives better for more
and more people.”
Date of issue - 21st September 2009