These are the winners of Love Barrow Awards 2024

Nominations were opened in the summer last year. There was a Love Barrow Awards record of 500 nominations for the 2024 awards. They were judged by the committee, a group of volunteers living in and connected to Barrow and the Furness peninsula.

The Love Barrow Awards committee (from left to right – Rob O’Connor, Amanda Bland, DT Guest, Amanda Jesson, Beth Horan, Karina Roberts, Tony Callister, Dave Coverdale) (Image: DT Guest)

Over 180 people attended this year's awards. Guests watched short videos about the fantastic work done in the community by the finalists before each winner was announced. 

Here are the awards and the recipient of the raffle, which raised £1118.50 on the awards evening: 

• Student of the Year sponsored by Furness College

  Winner: Madi Gawne

  Finalists: Iga Kucharska, Hannah Ruth Bircher

Student of the Year winner Madi Gawne with Nicola Cove, principal of Furness College (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Community Focussed Business of the Year sponsored by Orsted

  Winner: Victim Support Westmorland and Furness

  Finalists: Age UK Barrow and District, Barrow Underground Music Society

Community Focussed Business of the Year (pictured: Victim Support Westmorland & Furness, Winners. Centre: Mark Shields, Head of Regional Support UK West, Orsted) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Teacher of the Year by BAE Systems

  Winner: Jez Mark

  Finalists: Steven Herbert, Mick Cull

Teacher of the Year Jez Mark (From Left to Right: Jez Mark, Lead Engagement Officer, South Cumbria PRU, Winner. Beth Kirby, Social Impact Manager, BAE Systems) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Carer of the Year sponsored by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

  Winner: Jonny Benson

  Finalists: Donna Allewell, Mandy Allonby

Carer of the Year sponsored by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (from left to right: Jonny Benson, Winner. Jane Scattergood, Director of Health and Care for South Cumbria, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• The Oak Tree Award sponsored by TI Accountancy

  Winner: Art4All

  Finalists: Furness Refugee Support, Nick Hall

The Oak Tree Award (from left to right: Tracy Irwin, Founder and Director, TI Accountancy. Artworks – Art4All, Winners) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Group or Project of the Year sponsored by Nuclear Transport Solutions

  Winner: Askam Under 10s Football Club

  Finalist: Furness Hedgehog Rescue

Group or Project of the Year (from left to right: Askam Under 10s Football Club, Winner. Peter Buchan, Managing Director of Shipping, Nuclear Transport Solutions (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Citizen of the Year sponsored by AW Ship Management

  Winner: Rebecca Round

  Finalists: Paul Backhouse, Rhona Teale

Citizen of the Year Rebecca Round (from left to right: Daniel McGowen, Contract Manager, AW Ship Management. Rebecca Round, Winner) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Young Citizen of the Year sponsored by Kimberly-Clark

  Winner: Lilly-Mae Grimes

  Finalists: Benji Kyle, Elesia Ryder

Young Citizen of the Year (from left to right: Lilly-Mae Grimes, Winner. Esther Lambert, Site PA, Kimberly Clark) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• The Peoples Choice Award sponsored by BAE Systems

  Winner based on a public vote: Mandy Allonby

The Peoples Choice Award (from left to right: Mandy Allonby, Winner. Beth Kirby, Social Impact Manager, BAE Systems) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Siemens Energy

  Winner: Rebecca Robson MBE

Ambassador of the Year (from left to right: Rebecca Robson, Winner. Michael Jeschke, Materials Expert and STEM Council Lead Siemens Energy) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

• Raffle Cheque Presentation

  Recipient: Furness Homeless Support Group. 

Raffle Cheque Presentation (Furness Homeless Support Group. Centre: Dave Coverdale, Love Barrow Awards) (Image: Love Barrow Awards)

Rebecca Robson, who is the senior officer at Women's Community Matters won the ambassador of the year award. She was also recently recognised for her work when she was awarded an MBE in the King's New Years Honours List. 

She said: "I am really proud to be from Barrow,  born and educated here, and I have my dream job working at Women's Community Matters. To receive this award on International Women's Day is really special, and this award is not about me, it recognises all the wonderful people who work alongside me"

Next year will see the 20th annual awards ceremony, with nominations opening in the summer of 2024.