SOUTHEND citizens have been recognised for their kindness with a Citizen of Southend Award.

Rosemary Ariss, from Southend, took home the Gold Award and £500, for her ten years of service at a Cluny Square cafe. Her award was less about her service as a cafe manager, but more for going above and beyond her role by always being on hand to help and listen to people in the community who visit the cafe, who are often from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Cluny Square, for many years has been regarded as one of Southend’s anti-social ‘hot spots’, however, with Rosemary’s help, that label is slowly shifting.

Rosemary said: “I’m totally stunned. It’s just amazing to receive the award, especially in front of everyone tonight.”

The awards were co-founded by Stockvale group chief exec, Phillip Miller, to give back to members of the community who give up hours of their time for the community.

Ron Price, from Westcliff, scooped up the newly created Sir Teddy Taylor Award for his fundraising work over 30 years supporting Mind, drama groups, mayoral charities and carers.

Ron has also been a school governor for 15 years at Chalkwell School and Lancaster Special Needs School.

He said: “I’m thrilled to bits to receive the award, but really don’t do the work for the recognition. I was a big fan of Teddy’s too, so lovely to get his award.”

Dean Ovel won the hero award. In 2014 Dean ran ten marathons in eight days for Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation’s, Keyhole Cancer Appeal. In 2016 Dean designed and built a human sized hamster wheel and ran in it for 24 hours continuously, in support of its Dementia Appeal.

To date Dean has personally raised more than £25,000.

He said: “I’m very humble to be here, and in the company of all these award winners.”

Winner of the Silver Award and £250 was Julian Hart from Thorpe Bay for his years of fundraising work where he has raised over £1million pounds for hundreds of charities.

Miranda Blackstone-Cobbe and Ondi Woods who set up an exercise class called Beat It in Leigh, for those fighting breast cancer and other cancers won bronze awards.

Ray Mackenzie, from Southend who has been training young, budding Army Cadets for the last 25 years, also won a bronze award.