Community stalwarts will be recognised in a ceremony to celebrate Chairman’s Medal winners this month.
Durham County Council’s Chairman’s Medal was initiated by former County councillor Edna Hunter. Councillor Hunter was the first woman to become Chairman of Durham County Council.
She launched the medal in 2007 to encourage ambition and success. It is presented to individuals, groups and organisations throughout County Durham to recognise significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life.
A campaign to find this year’s worthy nominees has been running since December and three medal winners will be chosen, one each from the three Area Action Partnership cluster areas (north, east and south) by council Chairman Cllr Dennis Morgan.
Certificates for outstanding community service will be awarded to each of the 14 nominees attending the event. The 14 Area Action partnerships, formed by the county council in 2009, have nominated an individual or organisation from each of their areas to be awarded the Certificate of Community Service. Three will then be selected by the chairman to receive the medal.
Cllr Morgan said: “The Chairman’s Medal is the principal award for County Durham residents who go the extra mile and give outstanding service on behalf of their communities.
“The awards evening gives me the chance to personally thank those who do so much work in their communities which often goes unnoticed and I’m really looking forward to the evening.
“I hope this will inspire even more people to get involved to help improve the lives of others in County Durham.”
The event will take place at County Hall on Friday (March 9) between 6pm and 9pm with displays featuring all of the nominees as well as some of the work of the Area Action Partnerships this week.