THE winner of the Contribution to the Community Award is “loved and cherished by everyone” and it’s not surprising given that she’s been working tirelessly in the local community for 20 years.
Carol Kilgannon has helped hundreds and thousands of people over the past two decades, volunteering and giving up her spare time.
At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with a friend she set up Helping Hand Orford, Poplars and Hulme, which is now Helping Hands Changing Lives CIC.
They supplied local people with basic items that weren’t readily available in the shops – toilet rolls, pasta, fresh loaves of bread – and it gathered pace.
The nomination for Carol read: “The group snowballed and now has around 30 volunteers all led by Carol – it’s amazing.”
Carol created Little Pickers, a group of children wanting to improve the local area by picking up litter, and she’s organised Halloween and Christmas parties for the youngsters.
Read more about our Inspiration Award winners here.
Another nomination said: “Carol is well known for her contribution to the local community and so many people have benefitted from her kindness and generosity.
“Nothing is too much trouble – she’s even been out in her dinghy delivering essential supplies when areas of Warrington flooded in 2021.
“It’s a privilege to know Carol and she is loved and cherished by everyone in the community.”
Carol was shocked when her name was read out by award sponsor Sellafield’s Stephen Barnes and she said that all the nominees at the Inspiration Awards are winners.
She said: “I don’t feel like an inspiration.
“Volunteering comes from the heart and it’s about thinking about other people who are less fortunate than ourselves.”
When asked for a highlight of her 20 years’ service in the community, Carol spoke about an award she won a few years ago called Bridging The Gap, which recognised the work she did with children and pensioners, introducing the older generation to the fantastic young people who live in Warrington, taking away their fear of the younger generation.
The youngsters showed the older residents of the town how to make videocalls and keep in touch with friends and family before being taught to play games like dominoes and darts.
Carol played tribute to her “amazing team” – Stephen Murphy and Tony Gandy as well as Pam Queeney and Sarah Dixon – before dedicating her award to them.
Highly commended in this category were Roni Noble and Chris Judge.
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