Photos courtesy Teresa Martin Photography

A charity born during lockdown, which has since expanded its work, is celebrating after winning an award for its contribution to the community.

Blidworth – On The Move Support Network is a specialised transport service, set up when the pandemic first hit.

Using volunteer drivers, it aimed to ensure vulnerable residents, including in Blidworth, Rainworth, and Ravenshead, could get to vital medical appointments when unable to access public transport — and has now completed more than 1,100 trips.

It has since expanded to offer food aid and meals, help for people with long-term medical conditions, as well as digital support and Christmas parcels, all based at the village’s Sherwood Forest Community Church.

That work was recognised when the Newark and Sherwood Community Awards returned in September for the first since the pandemic.

Blidworth on the Move Support Network was named winner of the Community Group Award, sponsored by Future Cloud Accounting (pictured above).

Also among the 12 award winners was Clipstone Bowls Club, which was presented with the Creating Change for Sports and Physical Activity accolade, sponsored by Wrigleprint.

The awards ceremony, organised by Radio Newark and volunteers, was held at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall. The event has been expanded to cover the whole of the Newark and Sherwood district and now works with Active4Today.

A surprise Lifetime Commitment Award for services to businesses, charities, and community groups was made to Malcolm and Elaine Ellison.

Other winners were:

Community Champion (sponsored by Newark and Sherwood District Council) – John Bachelor
Business Commitment to the Community (sponsored by The Renaissance at Kelham Hall) – Scott Wrigley, of Wrigleprint.
Citizen of the Year (sponsored by Access Models) – Winston White.
Young Citizen of the Year (sponsored by Access Accounts) – Angus McIntosh
Courage and Bravery (sponsored by Not My Monkey) – Craig Williams
Education (sponsored by Envy Hair Studio) – Sam Oliver
Emergency Services/Armed Forces (sponsored by Motorfinity) – Keith Girling
Sports Influencer (sponsored by Active4Today) – Stuart Franks
Sports Achiever (sponsored by Smiths Timber Merchants) – Jess Atherley

Profits from the self-funded awards were shared by Homestart, 4As (Adventure Activities for All Abilities), and Newark Foodbank.