Chosen Charity staff (from left) Pauline Mackman, Carol Foster, Iris Boland and (right) Mary Cooper, with Holbeach couple Sharon and Christopher Feeney. (Photo supplied)

‘Amazing’ Mary first to be put forward for POSH charity champion accolade

We are still looking for the special people who make South Holland a place we can be proud to live in.

Nominations are coming in for the first ever Pride of South Holland Awards, being run by the Spalding and South Holland Voice in conjunction with Tulip Radio and Spalding and District Chamber.

We are looking for readers’ nominations in nine categories, listed on the left, and there’s still plenty of time to make sure your local hero is in the running.

All nominations will be sent to the category sponsors, who will draw up a shortlist for our panel of judges.

Finalists and guests will be invited to a presentation ceremony at Spalding’s South Holland Centre on the afternoon of Saturday, July 11, where they will be treated to an afternoon of entertainment as the winners announced.

The latest nomination to be sent in is for the Charity Worker Award, sponsored by Hughes, of Spalding.

Spalding Voice reader Lesley Forbes-Whitmore has put forward Mary Cooper, who set up the Chosen charity shop in Holbeach.

Mrs Forbes-Whitmore describes Mary as an “amazing charity worker”.

She said: “I met Mary 17 years ago when I moved to Holbeach.

“Mary worked for Sue Ryder for nearly 20 years and on retirement opened Chosen charity shop in Holbeach and has striven to raise money for a host of local charities, including the Anglian Regiment, PHAB, Holbeach Town Band, local schools and many others.

“She is amazing.”

Mary is now in the running to pick up a trophy and certificate.

If you know someone who does good work in the community, fill in the form on the facing page and send it to the address shown, or send the same information to prideawards@spaldingvoice.co.uk