We were inundated with ove

nominations for our Unsung Hero for

2018. Julie runs a special café at St.

Peters Hospital in Maldon, which has

become a sanctuary for the lonely, the

elderly, the hospital staff, outpatients,

children and sometimes even the

homeless. Julie is heavily praised for her

caring, her generosity, her happy disposition, her charity and

fund raising, her community spirit, and of course her great

cooking!

These are a just a few of the nominations we received: -

‘Julie Taylor’s Community Café at St. Peters hospital is a friendly and safe place where vulnerable folk can feel welcome.  She provides essential support for hard up families and pensioners. I was inspired by her passion to start a collection      myself at the Anglia Ruskin University’ …                       Olivia Sjollema

‘Julie gets donations from people and Tesco’s, then makes up bags of food for the elderly who don't have enough food at home. I work in the community, she allows us to deliver to patients we think are in need, its such a lovely thing to do.'                                                                                  Karen Glazebrook

‘Julie has charisma, smiles, liveliness and an angel-like quality.

Many visit on a daily basis, some receiving free tea and

coffee.'                                                            Kathleen Leggett

'She supports the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged, even takes food to the   infirm through the snow. She has lit up the lives of hundreds’…                                         Christine Brown

Richard is the organiser, secretary, and treasurer of the Southend Jazz Co-operative. He joined the Co-op in 1996 a year after its inception.  He was responsible for finding their current home at the Hadleigh old fire station where they meet every Saturday morning. Richard organises the set lists, the music and the scores, distribution of resources, the keeping track of funds and even the stocking of their refreshments. He finds replacement musicians when necessary and coordinates the availability of teacher John Seeley. He persuades many of the best jazz musicians to come along to teach and lead master classes. He also organizes fortnightly jam sessions and various gigs at community events, all the while keeping the beat by playing the drums! In short he is their unsung hero who works unselfishly and receives no remuneration. 

Georgia has to take care of her

two young daughters as well as 

her 94 year old Grandmother

who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Yet

she still finds time to assist

others. Currently she is helping

an abused wife who has fled to

a rural location to escape

domestic violence. The young mother finds it hard to afford a

taxi fare to take her children from the refuge to their school.

Georgia drives to Old Harlow to pick them up and drives them

herself. She often volunteers to help with causes, the latest

being the Christmas shoebox appeal. 

Her nominator Sarah Huggett says; “Georgia is so kind

and never stops helping others" 

Tricia runs the ‘Writtle Rascals Childminders’. But she is much more than a childminder, as her care and support goes way beyond the day job. She regularly gives parents respite by taking the toddlers for adventurous stays overnight in Norfolk, or to travel on her minibus to museums etc. and she never asks for payment or reward. She volunteers in many other areas of the community. She runs the local cub scouts and the local toddler group and raises money to ensure their good running. Tricia is always there at times of need, running errands, visiting the sick, even looking after family pets over a weekend. One occasion reported to us was when Tricia spotted an ambulance outside of a neighbour’s home. She learned that the husband was being taken to hospital and offered to take their child under her wing so the wife could go with her husband. The boy stayed overnight, in the morning she took him to school and informed the teachers of the situation.

Her nominator Maggie Johnson’s thoughts were shared by 

several nominators who said, Tricia is a true legend, her

commitment to our community goes way above and beyond.

She is worthy of an award … and its long overdue.

Louise, a busy mother of six children, has been through a torrid time over the past two years, losing close relatives, enduring relationship breakdowns and having to care for her mother through a degenerative health condition. Yet she has managed to continue with her work at the local primary school and her charitable work helping to administrate ‘Pay it Forward’. Taking in and sorting donated items before distributing them to people in need. We received 28 nominations for Louise, all of whom confirm what a selfless person she is, and the great love people have for her.