Basingstoke ObserverA Basingstoke teenager was presented with a special new award for his charity work and support for LGBTQ people in the area.
The award was presented to Zander West, 19, from Basingstoke, at the mayor-making ceremony on May 17 by outgoing mayor councillor Paul Frankum.
Cllr Frankum added a new Mayor’s Youth Award to the four others he presented at the ceremony.
Cllr Frankum said he was impressed by Zander’s drive and determination to support young people, charities and lesbian, bisexual, gay and trans people and their allies.
With support from the former mayor and the chairman of the Pride 245 group Simon Bound, youth and community officers, Zander helped launch Pride 245, a two week celebration in the town.
Cllr Frankum said: “During my year as mayor I met a number of brilliant young people and was impressed with the contributions they make to the borough’s communities. As a result, I have introduced the new Youth Award to the council’s annual presentation.
“I found Zander to be an exceptional young man and therefore decided that he should be the first person in the borough to receive the new award.”
Zander also raised money for Shopmobility Basingstoke by scaling Basingstoke hospital walls dressed as Spider Man and took part in a dance-a-thon with his gran to help a cancer hospice.
Kevin Laing and Andy Taylor from Basingstoke Voluntary Action received the Mayor’s Award for Business for the group’s work supporting charity, voluntary and community organisations and supporting the Mayor’s Community Chest.
Individual community awards were also presented at the event, including Tesco Chineham Community Champion Julie Shepherd.
Awards also went to Steven Edney for his work in the Scout movement and his fundraising efforts for the Brittle Bones Society; and Paula Vallance, who works for the Basingstoke Foodbank at Trinity Methodist Church in Sarum Hill.
More than £37,000 has been raised for the Community Chest over two years by Cllrs Jane and Paul Frankum in their roles.
Basingstoke Observer
