Beth Mitchell

Beth has, over the last 8 years, run Soul Food Kitchen, a food initiative for the homeless, lonely, elderly and anyone else who feels they would benefit from being a part of a community. Beth has run this initiative in her own time every Thursday afternoon, for nearly as long as she has lived in the town. She gives her time and effort tirelessly every week, on top of her other commitments, and has galvanised the community. People come and go, many go week in and week out. Soul Food has provided people with social benefits, positive affects to their mental health and above all else, a feeling of being part of a community. It is not a soup kitchen, it is a place where your seat is earned by helping out. Whether that be helping to prepare the meal or washing up. Beth has given people a hub, a place they can meet and interact. It is invaluable and has given people the confidence to get work, improve their lives and has helped forge long term friendships. Beth deserves to be recognised for providing all of this through the simple act of feeling everyone deserves a chance. (Adam Gordon)  

Caroline Rabey

Caroline is an invaluable member of all the teams and visitors at Newquay hospital. Caroline is the supervisor for the team of GSA’s at Newquay hospital. These unsung heroes of the NHS ensure the smooth running of the hospital, maintaining the cleanliness and ensuring patients on the inpatient ward have nutritious meals. Caroline makes homely touches on a day to day basis, for example crafting fruit into shapes and sculptures she has been known for in the past to encourage patients to increase healthy intake. More recently Caroline has become a massive ambassador for Dementia UK, fundraising for the charity to increase awareness and welcoming support to the hospital. Caroline organises these events in her own time and goes above and beyond to make the events an enjoyable experience for patients that are currently suffering in hospital also inviting the wider community to take part. There are other members that help with this however I feel that Caroline deserves this award as for years Caroline has enriched lives of staff and patients without want for any praise or credit. She really is an asset to Newquay and our important community hospital. (Leanne Follett)

Chrissie Jackson

The challenges Chrissie Jackson has faced in the past year or so have been well documented. She received a Stage 4 terminal cancer diagnosis in January 2019, which turned her world – and plans – upside down. This followed some very upsetting incidents in her personal life as well. Despite receiving such devastating news last year, Chrissie has remained a beacon of positivity, throwing herself into new challenges, such as Chemo in Cool Places and Trials in Style as well as setting up her own charitable appeal; Chrissie’s sunshine appeal. To date, it has raised more than £38,000 in less than 12 months, which is being passed onto 9 different Cornish charities close to her heart. It takes a very special person to, not only remain so determined and positive, but to also remain a good friend to many and care so passionately about the issues within Newquay, often supporting other people’s causes and organisations. She is loved by many and she has remained throughout this, despite everything, a fantastic friend to those close to her – I can say this first hand, as a witness to her friendship and commitment to my daughter-in-law and son, as well as having the privilege of calling her my friend too. She is a role model to us all, I couldn’t think of a better way for the town to honour her. (Phil Bunt) 

Claire Johnston

I have nominated my sister Claire for this award for her commitment and selflessness towards recycling in the local community. My sister is part of Terracycle which she started as something small through her workplace thinking it would only be a few things to recycle. Since starting this a year or so ago, Claire has now spread the word of terracycle throughout Newquay and the surrounding areas and has got many local companies on board in the fight against single use plastic. To date, Claire has stopped 37,894 pieces of single use plastic going to landfill but at the same time, raising money for surfers against sewage. She does this in her spare time and has opened her driveway and home up to a hub of recycling bins and single handedly sorts through all waste. She does not get paid for it and even funds boxes etc for others to get involved. She has set up a local recycling page, Porth Terracycle and is on a mission to get Newquay recycling. She has also got many schools involved who are now teaching our youths about recycling and making it the norm as they grow up. I’m really proud of Claire for what she is doing and feel she is a true inspiration to all in her fight to helping the environment so feel she really does deserve this award. (Catherine Murdoch)

Lynn Bartrip-Kaye

Lynn has single handedly introduced the Purple Angels scheme with awareness for dementia to Newquay. She has worked tirelessly to increase awareness of this terrible condition across the parish and encouraged nearly 200 businesses to develop their understanding and become accredited as Purple Angels ambassadors. Lynn offers training and awareness to increase understanding and promote awareness and is on the way to achieving Purple Angels Dementia Awareness accreditation for Newquay as a town. Her selfless attitude endears her to everyone she meets and she is a much loved treasure within Newquay who richly deserves recognition for her charity work. In addition to Purple Angels she is involved in a number of other organisations including being Vice President of Towan Blystra Lions. (Zoe Dixon) 

Lynn is THE most selfless person the town knows, her Purple Angel project for the town has seen her walk the streets, contact businesses and individuals in the hope of creating a dementia aware town, with nearly 200 businesses onboard already, she has done an amazing job so far, she also does ‘Happy voices singing group for dementia’ where people affected by dementia come together and sing, using musing as a medium to help evoke memories in dementia sufferers, all of this which is close to her heart and as a carer for Lewis, who has dementia. She is also an active Towan Blystra Lion’ and this year to be the club President, a role she wholeheartedly deserves for her tireless volunteer work with them in the many roles the ‘lions’ do in and around the town. She is an amazing friend to have, always an ear to listen to your troubles and there to offer support to anyone worthy. All this at the age of 70, in my eyes, stands as a great example to the younger generation. (Jon Goodman) 

Lynn has single handedly created Newquay Purple Angels, a scheme to raise awareness of Dementia in our town. At 70 years old, she works tirelessly everyday, visiting local businesses, training them in Dementia Awareness, and signing them up as member businesses, so that they can spot the signs of Dementia. Dementia has now overtaken Cancer as the biggest killer, and with an ever increasing ageing population, is something we all need to be aware of, and are all likely to be affected by, directly, or indirectly. On top of all this, Lynn is also sole carer for her ex husband, Lewis, who suffers from Dementia. Despite being divorced, Lewis lives with Lynn. Lynn manages to be hugely relateable to all ages, and is a true inspiration! She is a very humble and unassuming lady, but deserves to know and be recognised for her dedication and general all round awesomeness! (Claire Bailey) 

Lynn does the most amazing and selfless work in promoting dementia awareness, alongside her work for the Lions. She’s a credit to the community of Newquay and I’m proud to call her a friend. (Carol Lewis) 

Lynn works tirelessly to promote awareness and education of Dementia/ Alzheimer’s in our community through her Purple Angels. She also does a lot of charitable work with Newquay Lions Club. (Denise Monnelly) 

Bringing awareness of dementia to Newquay. (Susi Tooley) 

Lynn is an amazing woman. She is so passionate and dedicated to making Newquay a Dementia friendly and aware town. She is on a mission to spread awareness and ensuring people living with Dementia feel comfortable and safe in their hometown. Lynn is such a huge inspiration to me and many others. It’s a privilege to call her a friend. (Selina Towers) 

Maria Ralph

This lady is amazing – she has a son who has autism various other issues. But is always helping other parents out, even when she has no time for her self. She even collected for a lady and son in need at Christmas. Her door is always open and will take up her whole day by helping others in need. (Christina Pascoe)

Nadine Mills

Nadine really is an unsung hero. She supports and signs up to every environmental and community campaign going. She provides food for homeless charity DISC and welcomes a Ladies community group once a month providing deals on food for the group too. Nothing seems too much for her and she always makes time for people. A true local gem. (Gemma Turner) 

Paula Marcelis 

Paula’s outstanding contribution towards helping The British Legion Club Newquay stay open, her non stop involvement in past and present, being always on call filling in for acts that have to cancel, her energy in helping the general running of the Club, including childrens parties, a for being a true friend to the club who has stopped at nothing to help keep it open. A tireless effort Paula. (Dexter Love) 

Sandie Johns

For many years now, Sandie has been the driving force behind Macmillan Kernow. As fundraising manager she has organised and motivated a team of dedicated volunteers to raise thousands of pounds annually to help cancer patients. All this while dealing with her own stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Despite being seriously at times, she is consistently cheerful, determined to continue her role with Macmillan. She dedicates her time to fundraising events up and down the county throughout the entire year, despite spending extended periods of time in hospital. Sandie is a stalwart of the Newquay community and her cheerful demeanour and dedication to a cause through times of her own personal hardship are an example to all. (Louis Gardner) 

Tristan Holmes

Tristan is amazing. A family man with a recent baby, he somehow finds time to be taking a masters degree whilst being the driving force behind the Towan Blystra Habitat Integration Team. He possesses incredible knowledge of biodiversity which he uses to improve the Treloggan Doorstep Green’s pond, planting new trees, creating wildflower meadows and does amazing work raising funds for conservation projects for the benefit of communities, including his own Rialton Heights locality. He deserves public recognition for his fantastic work and I hope he receives plenty of backing. (Nigel Dawes)