TODAY we announce the fourth winner of a Wirral Globe Community Hero award.

As we have continued to rebuild and recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the awards are given to honour those who have gone above and beyond in the last 20 months.

The awards will recognise the everyday heroes and those working in business, education and hospitality who have stepped up.

The fourth winner to be announced is for the category Community Champion which is sponsored by Magenta Living.

This award recognises someone in the community, a neighbour, volunteer, or friend who has truly ‘stepped up’ and helped others.

They will have always put other people first, provided a service or support that would otherwise not have been available and contributed to the wider good in the community.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of our fourth award is Wirral Support During Coronavirus.

This community Facebook group was set up during the start of the coronavirus pandemic to help and support people of Wirral who were struggling due to the impact of Covid-19.

The group, which was created by Andrew Poynton, was created after Andrew decided that a small amount of community spirit could help to reduce the risk to everyone.

Andrew wanted to ensure that all those in a situation of shielding or self-isolation, could still receive items required for them to sustain a decent existence during a difficult time.

Nominations for the group said: “The founders and admin worked tirelessly throughout all of the lockdown and still continue now by helping anyone who is having a hard time in whatever capacity is needed.

“This group has brought a community together during the pandemic. It has provided support to many vulnerable people who have found themselves needing help during this time, with no one else to turn to.

“They have worked selflessly, at any time of the day, brought smiles to the faces of many people in Care Homes by organising collections for gifts and cards and more.”

Another added: “What this group of people are doing goes above and beyond just being neighbours. They have and are still helping people who are having a rough time during this pandemic.

“Andrew and the team have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to help others work through their own journey, whatever their circumstances and whatever their issues have been.

“They have been checking everything out and going that extra step to provide excellent support whenever it has been needed to a vast number of local people.”

Also Highly Commended in this category was Lee Anson and Suzanne Rippon.

Lee set to work asking the local community to donate their old or broken laptops for him to fix and donate directly to Wirral schools during the pandemic.

Suzanne put together CIC company The Life Tree which she funded by herself and with the help of donations. The Life Tree has different community hubs bringing people hope, support and help when it’s needed most.

Congratulations to Andrew – our fourth Wirral Globe Community Hero of 2021. Also well done to Lee and Suzanne.

Tomorrow we will be announcing the winner of our Business of the Year award.