Lord Mayor’s Medals: the Bristol residents and organisations honoured for their contributions to the community

The annual Lord Mayor’s Medal awards, now in its 39th year, are a way in which to celebrate the charitable work and achievements of Bristolian individuals. Those who have in the past year shown great enthusiasm, and gone above and beyond for their community.

Recipients of these awards are those who have shown remarkable acts of dedication to good causes within the community, whether it be youth work, volunteering, fundraising and community service.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Smith honoured the recipients and organisations, alongside other Bristol councillors - at Mansion house, Clifton.

The Lord Mayor said: “It has been an honour to meet these inspiring people, and award them with the Lord Mayor’s Medals. Their selfless acts of commitment to the communities of Bristol, has been so rightly recognised in this ceremony, with each and every awardee demonstrating a unique dedication to helping others and supporting the people of this city.”

What was the judging criteria for Lord Mayor’s Medal awards?

In order to determine whether a recipient was to be honoured, the judging panel had to decide whether they met the criteria for this year’s awards.

This year, a deserved winner would be an individual or group that has enhanced the quality of life for the people and city of Bristol. As well as, the particular act of service being judged on its uniqueness, whether it was distinctive enough or special at all.

The anonymous nomination forms were each assessed based upon the contribution to Bristol’s community. The judging panel included councillors from all major parties and was led by the Lord Mayor.

The People and Organisations honoured 

These are the winners of the Lord Mayor’s Medals, with just some details of what they have achieved to get them.

Elizabeth (Liz) Corrigan

Liz has regularly volunteered, been Chair of the Parent’s Association, a parent governor, full governor and trustee of the school. She also went skydiving to fundraise for the Department of Obstetrics at St Michael’s Hospital, smashing her target of £400 by raising £550.

Helga Wawra (International)

As Vice-Chair of the Hannover-Bristol Association, Helga has taken many initiatives to take the relationship forward including organising exchanges of citizens and young people, ensuring Bristol is at the forefront of Hannover’s twinning activities and increasing membership of the association.

Toby Fletcher

Toby is this year’s youngest recipient at just 11 years old. He participated in “Toby’s Bearathon’’, which involved running a km for every point scored against the Bears for St Peter’s Hospice because they looked after his Nanny June so well. (He has raised £12,970)

Charlotte Geraghty

Charlotte raises funds for charities in Bristol. She sat in every seat at Bristol Hippodrome’s auditorium, in just over an hour. She also spent 10 hours sitting in 13,000 seats at Ashton Gate Stadium on her 13th birthday. Charlotte also became the first person to ride a bike around the Millennium Stadium pitch and completed 18 laps in an hour.

Kathryn Doul

Kathryn is a St John Ambulance volunteer who gives over 1,000 hours of voluntary service each year. Kathryn is innovative in her approach and prior to the pandemic she arranged for her cadets to assist at the annual flu vaccination clinics held at Stockwood Health Centre.

Tim Jones

Tim is the Chair of Community in Partnerships, which runs the Filwood Community Centre. Tim has also helped to create and build the Knowle West Alliance. The Alliance connects residents and organisations to innovatively (and intentionally) do things differently.

Feed The Homeless

Feed the Homeless is totally volunteer-led and there are people of all ages helping to prepare, cook and serve food packs and meals. They rent the kitchen at the Quakers Meeting House in River Street.

Tony Rance

Tony has worked tirelessly for 35 years and it is because of him that the Christmas Tree Appeal has provided much practical and financial help to Women’s Refuges and other children charities through the City.

Dawn Aldred

Dawn founded Bristol Rocks UK and was inspired by something happening in Yorkshire - painting, hiding and finding pebbles, the aim of which being for adults and children to decorate small stones and hide them in their community for others to find. The activity has encouraged 1000s to participate and engage in arts and outdoor pursuits.

Mike Robbins

Mike set up and runs the Fishing Project, a scheme which helps to deter young people from anti-social behaviour, crime, drugs and alcohol misuse. The scheme has supported over 250 young people, and helps all people (in the environment of fishing) to gain new skills, build confidence levels, and engage positively with others.

Norman Shufflebotham

Norman is a bit of a legend in Clifton. Everybody knows him as he works every day to help keep Clifton tidy. Norman does his very best to prevent social isolation by befriending everyone who chats with him. He has worked hard to make the Victoria Square annual party a success.

Ella Lambert

Ella set about finding ways to help the international refugee community. In July 2020, Ella looked for inspiration to make reusable pads. It soon caught the attention of NGOs around the world working with refugees, who wanted to work with Ella and supply their communities with her “Pacha Pads”.

Chris Fox

Ex-GP, Chris retired and joined We the Curious, as a volunteer. He has helped deliver family activities on an outreach programme, including at the Bristol Children’s Hospital. He has supported whatever was needed including collecting visitor feedback, helping input data, office administration, and training & mentoring fellow volunteers.

Amy Walsh

Amy has recently set up a forest school and works with some of the most challenging young people in the Lockleaze area, helping them integrate with society and develop into adults.

Bristol Horn Youth Concern

Bristol Horn Youth Concern (BHYC) provides enrichment, developmental activities and opportunities for BME youth and especially within the Somali community.

Reagan Humphries and Ella Taylor - Hartcliffe Boxing Club

Reegan and Ella have worked tirelessly to build their boxing club up from nothing Reegan and Ella took on the challenge and continued to progress their fitness programme throughout lockdown.

Kelly May

Kelly, has worked with local services to enrich the lives of socially and economically disadvantaged families, single parents, children, and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) by organising fun days and festivities for the local community to ensure they feel included regardless of their circumstance

Hayley Ward

Hayley started the Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green, a community garden located in the heart of Hartcliffe and a space for the whole community to come together and learn about growing fresh, healthy food, and pick fresh fruit from the orchard.