More local heroes recognised in Brakes Trust Citizen of the Year competition

Competition organisers the Brakes Trust will shortly announce the short-listed nomineed ahead of the awards ceremony on March 30.

Lillington resident Dora Stoddard has been playing music at care homes in Leamington, Kenilworth and Coventry for some years, originally on a voluntary basis.

But the 56-year-old’s keyboard performances have become so popular that in some places she has had to introduce a modest fee to cover the expenses of sessions which have done so much to cheer up the 57 brain injured patients at Castel Froma in Leamington.

Susie Murray, director of fundraising at the charity, said; “We want to nominate Dora because she puts so much into each performance with hours of pre-planning and taking the time to find out each residents’ individual musical preferences.

“Many may have limited ability to communicate but Dora has a wonderful talent for making each person feel special and unique. When one of our residents recently asked for an Oasis song she didn’t know, Dora went out, bought the music, learned the song and was able to perform it as a surprise on her next visit. She really made his day.”

Daniel Browne from Warwick, has been nominated for his work with young people who are concerned about their sexual identity.

Even though we live in what most of us believe are more enlightened times, 27-year-old Daniel still experienced the isolation and worries that so many teenagers confront when they realise they are gay. He is now a professional counsellor, who is called in to a local school once a week to talk to youngsters. Last August he also founded a LGBT Support Group for 16 to 25-year-olds.

Daniel was nominated by Colin Yates, who said: “Daniel’s selfless dedication ensures that he and his team provide a point of contact and a source of social support to help young people coming to terms with the difficulty of accepting and expressing their LGBT sexuality.

“He has created a truly unique support group, identifying facilities and gaining recognition from nationally recognised bodies. His professional skills as a counsellor, his leadership and his dedication to the success of this project warrant his nomination as Citizen of the Year.”

Mavis Moore, aged 88, from Leamington, has raised nearly £50,000 for homeless dogs and cats, over the past 40 years.

The pensioner, who used to play keyboard in a band with her son Rod and her late husband Reg, knew she had to do something when the band wound up. So fundraising filled its place.

Mavis has been nominated by Jayne Canning who writes: “This very nice lady has worked tirelessly for the Dogs’ Trust and Avon Cat Rescue for 40 years, running parties, car boot sales and all manner of things, and yet she is often overlooked.”

Mavis says simply: “I’ve always loved animals - they worked out I’d raised £25,000 for cats and almost the same for dogs when I was 85. But I don’t need recognition because I enjoy what I do.”

Graham Todd has been nominated for his work in setting up Warwick Tweetup, the Twitter group which began with local business folk but has now spiralled to become a uniting force in the community.

Graham - known to everyone as “Todd” works at Underwood Wines in Warwick and has been nominated by Jo Payne.

She writes: “Todd, along with two lovely ladies, organise events of such fabulous diversity that they would appeal to all types, uniting them through twitter for pub crawls, quizzes, sports and book events and meals. Together they have chosen to support Air Ambulance for any fundraising they do.

“Since it set up 12 months ago the group has grown to over 200 members offering great advice and encouragement. Lots of friendships have been made which many individuals and independent company owners have enjoyed where they may have otherwise felt isolated.

“The group is free to join and Todd has also set up a ‘twitter school’ to help more people get better use from social networking.

“He is great at giving advice and encouragement with his boundless energy and always ready to help anyone who needs it.”

Avril James, the chairman of Leamington and Warwick Sea Cadets, has been nominated because friends say: “While all adult helpers are volunteers, no-one gives more of their time and effort than Mrs James.

“She is well-known locally for her dedication to this cause, and many others, but remains an unsung hero.”

Alex Pepper, who nominated Avril, said: “The Leamington and Warwick Sea Cadets is currently a thriving unit so that after school local young people can have fun, with a nautical theme, and also become well-adjusted, conscientious citizens.

“The unit, which relies solely on donations, has only survived thanks to the commitment and tenacity of Mrs James during recent lean times. The recent successes of the cadets in regional and national competitions is testimony to her hard work.”

Finally, Joe Graham has been nominated for his work with teenagers who he encourages to gain qualifications in first-aid, sports coaching and other life skills.

Joe’s name was put forward by Tyler Connolly who wrote: “I would like to nominate Joe Graham for Citizen of the Year because he brings kids between the ages of 13 and 18 off the streets and helps them to get a qualification.

“Along with Sam Morris he set up a business called Support Sport which lays on activities in the school holidays for youngsters - most importantly he does this at affordable prices.”