Watch it now ! NK awards celebrating community spirit

An annual awards ceremony dedicated to community spirit in North Kesteven returns this evening (Wednesday, October 7), adapted to meet the challenge of Covid-19.
The 2019 NK Community Champion Awards winners.

2019 NK Community Champion Awards, organised by North Kesteven District Council, and held at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick, Lincoln.

Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for North Kesteven District Council
Date: October 9, 2019 EMN-200510-122035001The 2019 NK Community Champion Awards winners.

2019 NK Community Champion Awards, organised by North Kesteven District Council, and held at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick, Lincoln.

Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for North Kesteven District Council
Date: October 9, 2019 EMN-200510-122035001
The 2019 NK Community Champion Awards winners. 2019 NK Community Champion Awards, organised by North Kesteven District Council, and held at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick, Lincoln. Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for North Kesteven District Council Date: October 9, 2019 EMN-200510-122035001

In their tenth year, North Kesteven District Council’s NK Community Champions Awards, to which the Sleaford Standard is a media partner, will be held online this year in light of the pandemic restrictions which have put a stop to so many other opportunities to come together in celebration.

The NK Community Champion Awards seek to recognise, honour and promote the vast amount of voluntary endeavour and community-focussed activity that goes on quietly, tirelessly and selflessly in support of others and the district’s

communities.

Ready for the NK Community Champion Awards. Watch it tonight online. EMN-200710-131219001Ready for the NK Community Champion Awards. Watch it tonight online. EMN-200710-131219001
Ready for the NK Community Champion Awards. Watch it tonight online. EMN-200710-131219001

This year, with so much more community-minded activity being undertaken than ever before, it was felt to be especially important that the recognition and acknowledgement of the awards took place. And with an astonishing number of

nominations made in appreciation of the many support groups that have sprung up to protect and provide for those in greatest need, two additional pop-up categories were created especially to reflect the coronavirus response.

From almost 100 nominations, 31 finalists have been selected by a judging panel across 12 categories.

Council Leader Coun Richard Wright said: “The wonderful thing about the online approach we are taking is that we can share this celebration much more widely than would have otherwise been the case with limited numbers in a physical presence. I hope this broadens the acknowledgement of all the great things so many people do, week in, week out, in making positive differences to our daily lives.”

NK Community Champion Awards 2020 EMN-200710-131207001NK Community Champion Awards 2020 EMN-200710-131207001
NK Community Champion Awards 2020 EMN-200710-131207001

A list of the finalists can be found at www.NKawards.org, along with a digital version of the programme and a link for the broadcasted two-hour ceremony which goes live at 7pm tonight here.

The awards continue to be compered by BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Rod Whiting who said he ‘thought it would never happen as just about every other event has gone by the wayside’.

Coun Wright said there was never any question in his mind over the need to extend the council’s and the community’s gratitude to the volunteers for all they have done in the face of the pandemic to either keep things going or initiate new responses centred on care and consideration.

“It’s not only those few who we celebrate on Wednesday as finalists but everyone who was nominated and the thousands more who weren’t. All of you are the champions of, from and for our communities, and I thank you all for all that you

do. The difference you make is life-changing, life-enhancing and it’s no exaggeration to say – this year especially – life-saving,” he said.

And the sponsors who come together to make this happen are:

Ringrose Law, Duncan and Toplis, Lincs Inspire, BETTER, Branston Ltd, Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, Washingborough Hall Hotel, Your Local Lincs Magazine, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire and Lindum Group; with additional support this year from Doddington Hall, the Sleaford Standard, The Lincolnite/Lincolnshire Reporter, Peachy Events, Bright Spark Studios, the International Bomber Command Centre and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.