Tuesday 17th July saw the fourth of the STAR Awards events for 2007. This year's STAR Awards also mark our 25th anniversary as, for the first time, we are holding six regional events, from which the winners will go forward to our national STAR Awards in November.
The South West & Wales area were the hosts for this regional event and Tim Cooper, Managing Director of Work & Independence and Carol Alexander, Chief Officer of People & Performance highlighted the many successes and achievements of the clients, staff, mentors, volunteers, employers and partner organisations who were in attendance at the awards held in Coventry.
International rugby legend Tony Copsey was on hand to present the awards to the worthy winners at Swindon's Hilton hotel. The 17 times capped sprotsman, now also famous as MD of the Harlequins said: "I'm delighted to support the fantastic work that Shaw Trust does to help people break down barriers,"
"Any prejudice is bad, and too many people will judge a book by its cover, instead of taking time to discover what's inside. The prejudice is even more ridiculous when you consider that disability or ill health can strike any one of us, at any time," he adds.
The winners, chosen from almost 50 shortlisted nominees, at South West & Wales' first ever STAR Awards were:
National Employer Award: Marks & Spencer
Local Employer: Emerald Gardens Land Desingers
Partner Organisation: PETA Ltd
Workplace Mentor: Cliff Goodall
Volunteer: Patricia Simmons
Shaw Trust Member of Staff: Tracy Lewis
Individual Achievement: Stephen Lloyd (Young Person of the Year Award), Robert Timpson* (Second Chance Award), Catherine Williams (Inspiring Education Award).
Special Recognition Award: Sally Clark
The winners will go forward to take part in the Trust's fourth annual national Star Awards final in London in November.
Congratulations to all of our nominees and winners!
*Robert's name has been changed to protect his identity
