Charitable Arm Boasts Strong New Parks Community Partnership
- People and organisations in New Parks have been highlighted for their work over the past year in an event held at King Power Stadium
- Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole, Cllr Molly O’Neill and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Rani Mahal attended the New Parks Awards evening
- One award winner shared her disbelief at being recognised for her volunteering efforts
- Leicester City’s charitable arm host weekly sessions for adults on the Cruyff Court pitch, with funding from Walkers
One New Parks Team Hub volunteering veteran has praised the partnership between Leicester City in the Community and Team Hub, while being commended herself at the second annual New Parks Community Awards.
Taking place earlier this month, the awards evening brings together people who have made a difference or make a difference within New Parks. The evening of celebration was attended by Lord Mayor Cllr George Cole, Cllr Molly O’Neill and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Rani Mahal.
Sally Girling, a New Parks Team Hub volunteer, was one of those recognised for her outstanding efforts.
Having volunteered in West Leicester for 10 years, Sally certainly has her hands full helping to run ‘Chatterboxes’ - a session aimed at improving mental wellbeing - the Team Hub café, a food bank and a craft group, as well as sitting on the New Parks Community Panel.
“As a community we have Team Hub, the adventure playground and food banks,” she started. “Everyone comes together and we have become bigger in New Parks. If we can keep going, think how much bigger we can get. It’s been nice; Leicester City in the Community have helped with that.”
She was nominated for the ‘Transforming Lives Award’ at this year’s New Parks Community Awards, and to her complete surprise, her name was called out by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Rani Mahal as the winner.
“I was very shocked because you don’t think you make much difference,” Sally admitted. “I don’t do volunteering for anything else but to help people. To win this award means the world to me.”
Thanks to Walkers funding, Leicester City in the Community are able to run weekly sessions to adults living in New Parks at the Cruyff Court, which opened back in 2021.
New Parks Award Winners:
Health & Wellbeing Award – Saturdads
Young Role Model Award – Ebony Warden
Community Project of the Year – Team Café
Best Community Contribution to Sport or Physical Activity Award – GNR8 Academy
Service with a Smile Award Winner – Annette Hawksley
Councillor’s Award: ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Community’ – Sally Morgan
Councillor’s Award: ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Community’ – Joe Carroll
Transforming Lives Award – Sally Girling
For more on Leicester City in the Community’s work in New Parks, please contact Community Coach Kyle Syrett via email on kyle.syrett@lcfc.co.uk.
You can watch Sally’s award unveiling HERE.