ULTIMATE

AWARD

2020

Five years ago Meg was involved in a road traffic collision whilst on duty as a Police Officer, resulting in her disablement both physically and mentally. She suffered significant nerve damage as a result, despite numerous medical procedures her mobility remains restricted. She now relies on aids to help maintain a level of independence.        In addition, she was also diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that has transformed her daily functioning and interaction with the wider world. Meg was devastated when her frontline policing career was no longer sustainable, she struggled with finding her purpose and continuing with her perceived duty to help others. She has always stood firm in her belief that she was placed on this Earth to make the lives of others better. Committed to     continuing her work within the community she began volunteering within her local Girl guiding Organisation in Wickford. She started as assistant leader with 5t  Wickford Brownies and occasionally with 1st Wickford Guides. In 2019, she was selected to represent Girl guiding UK at an International Guiding and Scouting Diversity, Disability and Inclusion Conference in Oslo, Norway. She now uses what she learned from these other countries to develop better inclusive practices locally within Girl guiding following her appointment as the Essex South East County Diversity and Inclusion Adviser within Girl guiding, in 2019. She currently supports several young women with           disabilities she encourages them to view their difference as a strength, not a weakness. Always one to challenge herself Meg also returned to education and is in the final stages of her master’s degree in International Public Policy at Queen Mary University London.

Emdad is the founder of ‘book bike’ a local volunteer bike service delivering good quality books free of charge to charities, schools, residential homes and hospitals in Essex and East London. He is a crisis suicide prevention volunteer and has run weekly soup kitchens in Essex and East London for homeless people for over a decade. Emdad ran his 13th British 10k in a row in 2019 to support homeless citizens many of whom suffer with mental health problems. He has also completed the London marathon four times for charities.

Emdad considers himself a working class lad and was very proud to be asked to carry the Queens Baton at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He was awarded an MBE in 2012.

Pat, or Mrs Prebble as she is better known is one in a million. She has run the village preschool for 37 years, (without taking a wage) and now has the children of her past students attending. Pat is part of every        committee in the village and also a big part in Basildon Hospitals committee panel.  Pats free time away from Preschool is taken up with helping others. She helps those less fortunate, ensuring children that are leaving for school have complete  uniforms, sometimes buying them herself. She will supply lunch to those that are having money problems to ensure no child goes without food, clothes and   occasionally giving money for the weekly shop and heating.

Pat has raised £1000’s of pounds for many charities, she puts others before herself always and really is a truly special person.

There is very little that we need to say about Jeanette except that she lives in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, and is an enthusiastic volunteer for the Samaritans. Presently she is concerned that due to the pandemic lockdown she may not be able to help the Samaritans and may be letting them down. She is very upset that she has to shield, despite feeling fit and healthy. Jeanette is 89, and was highly commended by the judges for assisting the Samaritans for almost 50 years.

Dr Abbas has dedicated more than 20 years of his working life to patient care ensuring that people end their lives in the best way possible. This year, Dr Abbas is celebrating his 20th anniversary of working at St Clare  Hospice. During this time, he has risen from being a doctor on the Inpatient Unit to the Hospice's medical director, but at all times his passion for patient care has remained his core focus. He is also a consultant at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Dr Abbas also advises and trains local GPs, District nurses and other hospital staff -            ensuring healthcare professionals across Essex can further their knowledge of palliative care. Qamar has also helped the Hospice to achieve accreditation as a University of  Cambridge teaching Hospice and created links with Anglia Ruskin.  Last year Qamar raised more than £4k for the Hospice by trekking 95km in Cambodia