For the last two months we have been searching for local people who our readers felt deserved some special recognition for going above and beyond in their daily lives and the way they serve their local community.

We know it has been a very tough time for many people in the pandemic, coping with lonliness and isolation when we were all locked down in our homes with many working from home.

Our judging panel had a tough time choosing winners and we would like to thank our sponsors of the Community in Kindness award for giving up their time to sift throughthe nominations.

A special thank you to the Angel Hotel for hosting the judging session last week.

Some of our winners are featured today.

The winner of the award for primary teacher of the year is Lucy Storey who was nominated by her proud mum Maria who says: ‘‘My daughter is the most kind person you could meet and is always on the look out for stuff to do which will improve the learning of the children she teaches.

‘‘She love her job and loves to see the children happy and is always willing to to do extra things for the school in her free time and buy things for the school with her own money.

‘‘I am proud to call her my daughter.’’

Winner of the Sports Club of the Year is Abergavenny Boxing Club run by Kieran Gething in Union Road West.

The club was nominated by Kieran’s wife from Emma who says: ‘‘I think that Kieran deserves a nomination as over the last few months the boxing club has been a main focus for him to bring boxing into the community of Abergavenny.

‘‘He has researched tirelessly for a venue, fundraised money for the gym acquiring kit and facilities to be used.

‘‘His aim is to have ‘Boxing for the Community’ and he has volunteered every evening running three classes to build up a hub for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

‘‘It is a big focus for Kieran to hopefully create some champions from the area through amateur boxing with WABA but also to have a space just for people’s well being and mental health and release within the sport.

‘’It is not just a place for competitive sport but also for just for fitness- ages running from five-year old to mature adults, ranging in fitness and disabilities.

‘‘He only hopes for the club to grow further and become a place that will make the town even better.’’

Nicola Vaughan of Abergavenny is very proud of her mum and all she does to help her and her family.

In a very candid nomination Nicola says she is herself terminally ill and because she suffers severe epilepsy her life expectancy is that she may not live past her 30s.

Nicola has nomoinated mum Judy Vaughan for our Good Neighbour Award.

Nicola gives her reasons behind the nomination.

She says: ‘‘My mother voluntarily cares full time for both myself (terminally I’ll expected to live only to 30 due to severity of epilepsy), her partner who is a stroke victim, and my son Hunter.

‘‘This amounts to about 50 per cent of her time when I am ill.

‘‘She also cared for her brother through his cancer treatment.

She also voluntarily feeds the homeless, vulnerable, elderly, those nearing and in poverty whilst reducing landfill through charity FareShare and Food For All Gwent.

‘‘She has fed schools in Eways Harold (bordering town) as well as those in need in Wales and in bordering towns through this scheme at the detriment of her time, money and welfare - whilst also supporting those around her.

‘‘She makes up boxes for those in need whilst also setting up tables outside the school and giving fruit and bread to the schools for breakfast clubs and milkshakes for the children.

‘‘She has helped myself, my neighbours and my partner through monetary issues due to the help recieved through this scheme, reduced landfill and even helped to give moral support to everyone around her.

‘‘She has fed the nation, helped the disabled and reduced our waste all whilst putting her needs second.

My mum does all this regardless of her own illness, her partner’s illness and caring 50 per cent of the time for her grandson whilst being in her 60s.

‘‘She is a true inspiration to our community.’’

We’ve also had a nomination for Young Person of the Year - under 25

Michelle Pearson has nominated her son Oscar Pearson who raised £1,300 for the charity BBC Children in Need.

Says Michelle: ‘‘He is a selfless young man who will do anything for anyone and give you his last of anything.

‘‘He always says if he ever won a large sum of money he’d give a large amount of it to charity. He is so kind hearted, and loved by everyone!

‘‘He started growing his hair before lockdown and during that time he had spoken about what he could do with his hair when and if he was to have it cut short again.

‘‘He asked could his nan have his hair, because since her cancer treatment her hair didn’t grow back well and now wears a wig.

‘‘I told him about a charity, the Little Princess Trust, who make wigs for children who have lost their hair through conditions or because of treatments and he decied that’s what heI wanted to do!!

‘‘His nan was his inspiration to do this! This however was not enough, he asked how he could raise money for children who have lost limbs. Then the idea popped into his head to get people to sponsor him to have all his hair cut off.

‘‘He looked into charities for children who have lost limbs but it proved difficult to find. Then he said what about children in need as they help children with many different needs? And that is when it all began.

‘‘Oscar received a huge amount of support from friends, family and from his local community. He had an initial target of £500, which he didn’t think he’d reach, so when it kept getting higher he couldn’t believe it! He would get so excited and amazed at people’s generosity. When the funds reached the £1000 mark he said never in his wildest dreams did he expect it to reach that much but was glad it had. Oscar is always ready to help others no matter what.

‘‘Oscar is just himself and lives to do what he can for others. When asked why he was cutting his hair for charity he repied ‘I like to help other children who aren’t as fortunate as me’.

‘‘What more can I say, I know Im his mum, but I can guaruntee all who know him think the same.’’

Oscar is pictured right.

We will feature more winners after our presentation afternoon has taken place on July 13 but a list of winners can be found on our sponsor page on page 29.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, July 13 and we’ll be in touch with our category winners to let them know of the arrangements for the celebrations.