A much-loved dad has received a posthumous award after raising more than £12,000 for charity at a ceremony celebrating community heroes.
Webbs Garden Centre hosted the special awards evening in The Enchanted Gardens – Neverland®, a 1.1-mile light trail in its third year, to recognise those who go above and beyond for others.
More than 20 heroes and their families were selected to enjoy the VIP event which was hosted by owner Ed Webb and radio host Helen Kennedy.
Seven spot prizes were awarded during the evening with the main prize being given to Simon Rikunenko who died at the end of October after he was diagnosed with stage 4 sarcoma.
The father-of-five was nominated by one of his children, Chloe Rikunenko, as well as his wife Amy after raising thousands of pounds for Balls to Cancer.
His wife, Amy Rikunenko, said: “Simon could have focused solely on his five children after the devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer. Instead, he used the little time he had left to raise money to help other suffering with this dreadful disease.
“He missed collecting his award by just a few weeks, but the children and I were honoured to collect it on his behalf. He is our hero angel and we will love him for eternity.”
In second place was seven-year-old Sophia Marshall who lives with many life-limiting conditions and delighted everyone with her chatty personality whilst Julie Harbin and her family won the prize for most festive family.
Ms Harbin decorates her garden all year round to raise community spirits which she has achieved whilst also caring for her husband for the past decade as he faced prostate cancer.
Other nominees including several hard-working nurses from the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit and Dexter Roberts, aged 10, for walking 12,000 steps every day in September for Midlands Air Ambulance.
Chloe Witts was also invited along for her work on positive acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity.
Owner of Webbs Garden Centres, Ed Webb, said: “The past year has been yet another challenging one for so many and yet there are always individuals that go above and beyond to help others.
“We wanted to celebrate these wonderful people and give them the recognition they deserve.
“It’s become a tradition at Webbs to open the festive season with our Local Heroes event. It was a great night and as always it was our pleasure to give something back to the local community as we mark the start of the Christmas countdown.”
Guests were also invited to embark on a wonderful journey through The Enchanted Gardens - Neverland®, which was inspired by the tale of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie by special arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity), who own the rights. Hospital
For more information visit www.webbs.co.uk/enchantedgardens/ or to donate to Mr Rikunenko’s Balls for Cancer fund visit www.justgiving.com/page/family-triathlon-1684431360359
To donate to the GOSH Charity visit www.gosh.org
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