Citizenship Awards 2023

Nominated by Cllr. Mark Protheroe

"The reason for this nomination is for the selfless way in which Sally, John and Emily rushed to the aid of a gentleman who had collapsed in Neath Town Centre and wasn’t breathing. They performed CPR and used the defibrillator and saved the gentleman’s life."

Nominated by Cllr. Ms Lauren Heard

"Carys lives with her parents Craig and Rebecca and her brother Lloyd in Cimla. She is a Year 8 pupil at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School.

This nomination is to recognize a Young Achiever, in particular her sporting achievements. Carys has from a very young age been a keen sports person excelling in both football and cricket. A list of her achievements include:-

Football

At Ystradgynlais Girls FC she was voted Player of the Year 2018/2019 season.

Whilst playing for Briton Ferry Boys AFC she helped the side become West Glamorgan A League champions 2022 and West Glamorgan Cup Winners 2022. She was voted Supporters Player of the year 2022.

She played for West Wales Girls at regional level and was voted player of the year 2022.

She has been selected to join the Briton Ferry Girls Academy Under 13’s (formerly West Wales.

At the end of the Season she attended trials for

Welsh under 14’s trials.

Cricket.

Joined Briton Ferry Steel CC

Under 11’s League Winners 2019

Under 13’s League Winners 2021

Awarded most improved player 2021

Cricket Wales South (Regional level)

Selected for Cricket Wales South Girls Pathway September 2021

Under 12’s Welsh Squad.

After 4 trials against players from all over Wales selected for Cricket Wales U12’s April 2022 and was one of 12 selected to tour Rugby School for a 3 day Cricket Festival with Cricket Wales in August 2022.

Nominated by Cllr. Keith Finn

"Emma does so much for the people of the Melin and Neath. She is so busy and brings people with her. She’s a volunteer, and an organiser; she is a fundraiser, grant finder and leader. She is non-stop. And I know she has support – Irene in particular and really this award should be for both of them – and there’s a committee and a small army of volunteers – but it’s Emma takes the lead.

As a volunteer, Emma essentially runs FAN (Friends and Neighbours Community Alliance) – which is a food bank, a members food club and a ‘pay how you feel’ café; it is also the hub for a climate café – which is a safe place for people to talk about their worries and fears for the future; it’s a gardening club and a litter picking hub; it’s a strong community which helps people improve their confidence and skills and inspires others. Emma is responsible for all of this and more.

Nominated by Cllr. Ms Megan Poppy Lloyd and Lilly Kayes, the Neath Town Council Youth Representative

"Ruby, a pupil at Crynallt Primary School, Cimla, at 10 years old had for time allowed her hair to grow long and was known for her trademark long plaits.

Being a considerate child, and being much aware of the issue of children losing their hair through cancer treatments, she decided to donate her long locks to a charity that provides wigs for those children. The little Princess Trust provides free wigs to child cancer sufferers giving back to them what cancer has taken away.

It wasn’t an easy decision she had for most of her life had long hair, but she decided to go ahead and on the 18^th. March 2022 the big cut happened. Not only did Ruby donate her wonderful hair but also raised sponsorship to the amount of £1525.00 for the charity."

Nominated by Cllr. Mrs Sara Price

"Maureen decided for health reasons to take up running. A common thing you may think for 30, 40 or even 50 year old, but to start running at 65 years of age is slightly more unusual. Especially as were not just talking about a jog around a few streets, no Maureen decided to try endurance running like the odd Marathon and half Marathons. And in doing so to raise money for Charity.

I’m probably revealing her age now in that she’s been doing this for 10 years.

In that time she has run the London Marathon. the Gower MacMillan 22 Mile Run, the Salisbury Half Marathon, Newport Half Marathon and the Swansea Half Marathon, some of these on a yearly basis. In doing so she has raised over £4,000 for various charities including The Stroke Club, MacMillan, Firefighters Charity, & St. David’s Hospice.

Her next event, is the very challenging Snowdon Marathon (October 2022) to raise money for Neath Foodbank."