Luton's Best Awards

Luton’s Best Awards

On 10th and 11th June, the Love Luton Partnership hosted two smaller-scale Luton’s Best 2020 events marking the outstanding achievements of our local heroes.

In partnership with Love Luton, the Luton’s Best Awards celebrate the achievements of truly remarkable individuals and organisations who make Luton a better place. The last year has been like no other seen before. COVID-19 has had an impact on everyone in some way, but since the start of the pandemic, the town has seen some of the most incredible acts of kindness and selflessness across Luton.

The Luton’s Best awards mission has always been to shine a light on the unsung heroes in the community. The health crisis has seen everyone pull together, and as such, the Love Luton partnership felt it was more important than ever to recognise the outstanding individuals and organisations in our community. Due to COVID restrictions, Love Luton could not host its normal award ceremony but instead held a number of smaller-scale events meeting individuals and organisations in a COVID secure and safe way.

Linsey Frostick, Chairperson for Love Luton, said, “Due to the third national lockdown, we had delayed the judging and awards, as we were keen to meet the nominees, celebrate their achievements and formally say thank you. Planning these smaller-scale events allowed us to recognise the outstanding heroes in our community and in a safe and comfortable environment. The stories of our winners and runners up are truly awe-inspiring, and I felt very privileged as Chair to lead this two-day event and recognise the amazing individuals and organisations who really make Luton a great place to live, work and have fun.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to the late Paul Fuller, Chief Fire Officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Paul was always a huge part of our Luton’s Best Awards. He was sadly missed at our ceremony, and our future events won’t be the same without him. Paul was a fantastic community person and an absolute gentleman. On behalf of Love Luton, we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues”.

Scott Eastwood and Fiona Martin who won the 2020 Outstanding Citizen Award for their work leading the COVID-19 Luton Action Group said “We are humbled and honoured to be recognised by Love Luton and the panel for our work during the COVID-19 pandemic. When we accepted this award it wasn’t for just us, but for everyone who helped neighbours and friends, shared fact-checked information, stepped up to support their community and brought out the best of Luton.

The pandemic showed the power of the Luton community and what we have to be proud of, we shouldn’t forget that as we move towards the easing of restrictions and instead build on that as a stepping stone for changing the lives of every Lutonian for the better.”

The general public still has until the 30th of June to vote for their People’s Choice Award winner. This is being conducted via the Luton News website www.lutontoday.co.uk. The winner will be announced on 15th July.

The full list of Luton’s Best categories, winners and runners up are listed below.

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2020 Luton’s Best Winners

We are delighted to announce the Winners of the 2020 Luton’s Best Awards. Congratulations to you all!

Young Achiever Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Olivia Lynn

Runner up

Ella Legg

Adult Achiever Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Mary Emeji

Runner up

Musthafa Hussain

Best Fundraiser Award

Sponsored by

Winner

The Visiting Superheroes

Runner up

Hannah Fehr

Best Volunteer Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Ian Fensome
posthumously awarded

Runner up

Mary Winter

Care in the Community Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Go Dharmic

Runner up

Keech Hospice Care Children’s Team

Child of Courage Award

Sponsored by

Joint Winner

Evie Gormley

Joint Winner

Harvey Buckingham

Community Business Person Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Andy Calvert

Runner up

Liz Aldous

Community Company Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Discover Islam

Runner up

Flying Start Luton

Environmental Achievement Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Setting up Warwick Gardens & launching Edible Bury Park

Runner up

Surrey Street Primary School Safe Space Bubble

Keeping Luton Safe Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Luton’s All Women’s Centre

Runner up

Scott Eastwood and
Fiona Martin

Key worker of the year Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Elaine Tolliday

Runner up

Daniel Pallett

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Paul Rogers
posthumously awarded

Runner up

Jim O’Connor MBE

Luton in Harmony Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Revoluton Arts

Runner up

Discover Islam

Outstanding Citizen 2020 Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Scott Eastwood and
Fiona Martin

Runner up

Jane Malcolm

Sporting Inspiration Award

Sponsored by

Winner

Hasina Rahman

Runner up

Runi Choudhury

2020 Award Categories

With special thanks to this year’s award category sponsors.

Young Achiever Award

This award will seek to recognise an outstanding effort and levels of achievement by a young person aged 20 or under, either in their school lives, work lives, in a sporting context or within the wider community.

Adult Achiever Award

This award will seek to recognise an individual over the age of 21 who continues to achieve great things at work, in their profession, through arts and culture, in the field of education, sport, or a hobby or pastime.

Community Company of the Year Award

This award is looking for an individual or team employed either in the public, private or voluntary sector that goes above and beyond. Their effort and enthusiasm should have a positive effect on the community. We are really keen to hear from organisations who have gone that extra mile to support the town during the pandemic.

Child of Courage Award

Judges will seek to recognise any young person up to the age of 18 who has put themselves in danger to help or save the life of another or has battled against the odds and has overcome adversity in their personal life or made a stand to improve the lot of themselves or others.

Care in the Community Award

This award is for an individual or group from either a professional or voluntary capacity. Those eligible include relatives (including children), friends, doctors, nurses or care workers who care for someone or a group of people. We are looking for an individual or group who have really gone that extra mile to care for our most vulnerable often showing incredible patience and understanding. Judges are looking for those who have cared for others sometimes over many years without giving thought to themselves.

Environmental Achievement Award

An award to an individual or organisation demonstrating a commitment to enhancing and protecting our environment or a heritage site, introducing environmentally sustainable products or services and, in doing so, make a contribution to Luton’s environment or conservation areas. Examples could include an environmental community project; a school initiative involving children and parents or improving a conservation area to kick-start regeneration.

Best Volunteer Award

This award will recognise a volunteer(s) of any age who has made an outstanding contribution through giving up their own time to volunteer to help others, charities or initiatives across the town. We ask that entries are for individuals still active in their role but you can list all activities they have taken part in prior to 2016/2017.

Community Businessperson of the Year Award

An individual of any age working for an organisation or studying in the town who has shown a commitment and involvement with the local community and can demonstrate excellence in business which in turn enhances the image of the business community and Luton, locally or on a wider scale or someone who has provided superior service to the community. We are keen to hear from individuals who have supported the town during the pandemic.

Sporting Inspiration Award

We are looking for an individual over the age of 18 who is a true sporting inspiration who has either excelled at their sport and/or helped others and is a positive role model. The entry should include: A sports man or woman who has excelled in their chosen sport, rankings and achievements made during the eligibility period must be given, have demonstrated considerable commitment, are an inspiration and positive role model to others, have used their achievements and experiences to make a positive impact on their community and/or club and special qualities that set them apart from others.

The People's Choice Award

The readers of the Luton News and Herald & Post will have the opportunity to pick the winner they feel is most deserving. On the week of 14th October the newspaper will announce the shortlisted candidates. You will have until Thursday 21st November to pick your worthy winner.

Luton's Most Outstanding Citizen for 2020 Award

This award seeks to recognise an outstanding citizen of any age group or walk of life who has excelled or gone above and beyond in 2020. For example this person could be a member of the business or community sector and anyone who has benefited the people of Luton. This could be in a professional capacity, volunteering or local charity work. It could be a neighbour a relative or anyone who, in your view, typifies the very best of Luton and in particular during the pandemic. This will be a highly contested award that seeks to recognise Luton’s Most Outstanding Citizen in 2020.

Lifetime Achievement Award

To recognise an individual whose achievements have been far-reaching in the community. Examples can include a volunteer who has given up their time for many years, a local carer or a business person who has given many years to improving the lives of people in Luton.

Keeping Luton Safe Award

The judges will be looking for individual members of the public or groups who have put themselves at risk and acted with bravery and courage to help save the life or protect the well being of another. This could include tackling crime, disorder or anti social behaviour. Another example could include individuals or groups which have made a positive community contribution in terms of improving the environment they live or work which improves the safety of others.

Best Fundraiser Award

This award will recognise a tireless charity fundraiser(s) of any age who has made an outstanding contribution either through their fundraising initiatives, voluntary work or other support. We ask that entries are for individuals still active in their role but you can list all activities they have taken part in prior to 2019/2020.

Luton in Harmony Award

An individual or organisation who has proactively promoted community cohesion and celebrated diversity in the town through their initiatives which have helped to improve the public image of Luton.

Key worker of the year Award

This award is open to key workers living or working in Luton, from bus drivers and supermarket workers, to delivery drivers and teachers. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen some of the most incredible acts of kindness and selflessness across our town and we believe that these should be celebrated. Our mission is to shine a light on the unsung heroes in our community. We want to hear from you on the difference this individual has made during the health crisis.