THE MAYOR of Reading, Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles, welcomed some of Reading’s brightest stars to an event celebrating the winners of the Pride of Reading Awards last week.
Cllr Mpofu-Coles was joined by host Andy Briggs, of The Oracle, as well as sponsors of the event, and the winners of last year’s awards, at the Pentahotel in central Reading.
Among them were representatives from Walk Works, last year’s Community of the Year Award winners; Pete Doyle, awarded Local Hero.
At the event, the Mayor said of the attendees: “Each and every one of you represents the very best of our town. Your dedication, passion, talent, and sheer hard work are what makes Reading such an extraordinary place to work.
“The Pride of Reading Awards is a highlight of our town calendar, shining a light onto our heroes, inspiring young people, community champions, and outstanding professionals, who go above and beyond.
“It is about celebrating not just what you achieved last year, but the continuing impact you are having across our community–for many of you, the awards do not represent a finish line, but a starting point.”
She also gave thanks to the event’s sponsors: “Some of the town’s most loved businesses, who go above and beyond to make the event happen.
“Not just, financially, but also in the statement that you believe in celebrating kindness, innovation, and community spirit–you help to tell the story of Reading.”
The event welcomed Caroline Gratrix and Liz Bradbury from Walk Works, a business which promotes walking as a route to good mental health and wellbeing.
Walk Works was bestowed the Community of the Year Award at last year’s event.
They explained: “We’ve always felt that when we’re out walking, we really get to build friendships and showcase Reading.
“We’re very proud to be able to share our town, and incredibly proud to have been given the award.
“It adds a credibility to what we do, and means we can continue to do what we love; it’s been a game-changing year for us since being given that extra confidence in our work.”
Alexa Volker from Reading’s Business Improvement District, one of the event’s sponsors, said: “I’m so proud that the BID is set to return as a sponsor this year– it is always the most amazing, humbling, inspirational event.
“To be able to be part of that, highlighting independent business in our town, that are making such a difference to their environment, to their neighbourhood, I can’t wait.”
Of the mayor’s event, she said: “I love being able to see the faces that were up on the stage at the main event, so things like this are always a great place to meet those people who make a difference.”
The Pride of Reading Awards will be returning once again later this year.
Full details about previous winners, or about how to make a nomination, are available via: porawards.co.uk
