Torbay applauds its local heroes: Awards celebrate dedication and lifelong service

There were tears of joy and standing ovations as Torbay’s unsung heroes were given the recognition and plaudits they so richly deserve.

None more so than children’s champion Tanny Stobart, who was voted Torbay Community Champion of the Year.

She was presented with her award by last year’s winner, Norman ‘Normms’ McNamara from the Purple Angel Dementia Charity, at a packed ceremony in Bay Church, Sands Road, Paignton, last Friday.

Minutes earlier, Tanny also picked up a Lifetime Award for her dedication and work with children and young people over a 25-year period, with the judges of the awards noting she has been the inspiration and driving force behind Play Torbay, putting the fun and joy into children’s lives, giving hope to many families for whom it has been a lifeline. 

She said after receiving her award: “‘To be recognised for my work in Torbay is both overwhelming and humbling. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved.  

“It is something I will never forget and would really like to thank the people who nominated me and Torbay Communities.

“My dream is a future where play is valued in Torbay for being crucial to a healthy, happy childhood.  A place where children can explore, discover, develop and grow through play.  

“Play is one of the most important aspects of children’s lives. When asked what matters to them most they consistently mention playing and meeting up with friends."

Tanny was one of three people to receive Lifetime Awards, the others going to Major Ron Goodwin for his work with Paignton Royal British Legion, where he and his team have raised around £1million over 23 years, and Carolyn Morgan, who has dedicated her life to numerous organisations since moving to Brixham in 1988.

Nominees and their guests rose to their feet and applauded all three winners, who judges decided just could not be separated - just the same as Young Volunteer of the Year nominees earlier in the evening..

The awards, now in their second year, were hosted by representatives of the organisers, Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker and Torbay Communities marketing and communications lead, David Gledhill.

Jim said: “There are hundreds and hundreds of people out there who do everyday things in their everyday lives, but they are making a huge difference to so many, many people with little or no recognition.

“What makes these awards extra special is that they go to those who don't seek thanks or the limelight.  But today the spotlight is on them and it is their moment of glory. Enjoy the moment and accept a heartfelt thanks from all of us for all that you do. All winners.”

The awards were sponsored individually by Steve Barriball, Cantina Kitchen and Bar at Goodrington and Torquay, Wollens Solicitors, South Devon College, Steve Darling MP,  Torbay Business Forum, Torbay Council, the Torbay Weekly and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Tracey Cabache, director of Torbay Communities, said: “The response to the awards has been overwhelming. We are lucky here in the Bay that there are so many people who support our communities, and it is only right that we get to celebrate and thank them.”

The awards were: The Kevin Helmore Carer of the Year, (sponsored by Steve Darling MP)

Nominees: Dawn Cox and Jade Stuart

Winner: Ali Meadows was the winner. She gives unpaid carers a voice — speaking up for Carers who support their family members or friends in a number of different settings. Despite the fact that she has a son with learning disabilities and a husband with physical needs, she gives up a lot of her free time to support and to speak up for other unpaid Carers.

She represents Carers on the Board of Governors of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, making them hear how things are for real people who care for their family or friends. She, with another Carer, Dawn, also spoke to CQC when they inspected Adult Social Care, telling them how it felt to be on the receiving end of Carers Services.

Ali is a great asset to the community of people who care for a family member with a learning disability. She strives to make their situation better by giving her time and ensuring that their viewpoint is heard by the people who manage the services that affect them.

Health and Wellbeing Champion (sponsored by Torbay Council)

Nominees: Alan Tilley,  NeuroNest South West CIC, Space Launching Futures CIC

Winner: Up and Running Torbay.  Up and Running provides running opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities. Belonging to Up And Running is like belonging to a family. Anita and Lisa have the groups well being at the forefront of their minds at all times. The annual fee provides support to local charities. Also,  Anita and Lisa arrange seasonal runs which include collections for local charities. They promote fitness, wellbeing, community... and fun.

They work tirelessly for the benefit of their members and the wider community. Their club ethos of mental and physical health is a very popular mix .

Emergency Worker of the Year – sponsored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Nominee: Liz Watt of Mini First Aid Exeter and South Devon

Winner: Paul Northey. Paul supported his local community through St John Ambulance for more than 40 years, but wanted to do more to help local events, so he launched Riviera Event Solutions, a CIC designed to provide first aid support and other services to local community events, as the first of providing first aid at events was causing many smaller events to question whether they could continue. Riviera event solutions also provides affordable first aid training to community groups, so more people can learn how to save a life.

If you cut Paul down the middle, it would spell community. As well as being a paramedic with the ambulance service, he has been involved in the running of children's week (the longest running children's festival in the UK) for more than 25 years, plus he chairs the English Riviera Events Collective, which is a group set up to support local events organisers and help them to share materials and services.

Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Steve Barriball

Nominees: Jonathan Parr, Angela Osborne

Winner: Paul Duchemin. Paul is a rider with South West Blood Bikes. Over the past year, he has volunteered his time to be on-call for Torbay Hospital more than any other volunteer within the charity's South Team, responding to more than 300 urgent calls.

He's delivered more than 700 items, including whole blood & blood products, pathology and microbiology samples, donor breast milk (for prematurely born babies, which increases their chance of survival by 50 per cent), medical records, medical equipment, test kits, and medications. Delivering medication to patients' homes enables them to return home more quickly, freeing up a hospital bed for another patient. 

Paul joined the charity as an emergency volunteer rider in Oct 2021. Since then, he's volunteered more than 5000 hours. He has doubtlessly saved lives moving urgent blood from Torbay Hospitals, the Blood Transfusion unit for the South Devon Dialysis Unit and other hospitals in Devon, riding in all weathers. Paul has also dedicated an additional 2000 hours to fundraising for the charity, which in turn has saved the NHS in Devon more than £400,000.

Climate and Environment Award – sponsored by Cantina Bar and Kitchen, Goodrington and now Torquay

Nominees: Cricketfield Community Garden, Hannah Beaumont from Me and the Plastic Sea

Winner: Mike Langman – Friends of Clennon Lakes. Mike leads the Friends of Clennon Lakes, who have been restoring Torbay's most important wetland to its former glory for a decade. Without the work of Mike, Duncan and all the volunteers who routinely meet up as working parties at The Lakes, one of our most beautiful and important wetlands would simply have disappeared.

Along with the wide variety of wildlife that make Clennon Lakes their home. The working parties not only work to defend wildlife habitat but also are a great way to bring the community together. All are welcome to join in and work through the structured maintenance projects that Mike and his team have set in place.All ages go to the Lakes and enjoy each other's company and share experiences.

Volunteering Team of the Year -  sponsored by Wollens Solicitors

Nominees: Torbay Prostate Support Association, Torbay Ladies Lounge and The Living Room and Wash Room @St Mags

Winner: Brixham Rugby Club. The volunteer groups within Brixham RFC play a key role in ensuring the rugby club can function and grow as both a community-based entity and a significant, ongoing, profitable commercial business.

Brixham Rugby Football Club is more than just a sporting club — it is the beating heart of a proud and resilient town. The club’s volunteer efforts provide a safe, friendly, and positive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to thrive individually and as part of a team. 

The club is a lively hub of sporting activity, featuring rugby, darts, euchre and social events, and offers a comprehensive structure that caters to players of all ages and abilities. The club’s future remains a top priority, as evidenced by its four senior rugby teams, a Colts team, thirteen youth sides for both boys and girls, and a dedicated Rugby Cubs programme (for ages three to six).

Over 300 players represent the town each week. Additionally, the inclusion of a walking rugby team shows the club's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. The club is very much a part of the fabric of the local community, and its facilities/resources are used by a number of local community groups and charities, such as the RNLI, LooseHeadz and Slimming World meetings.

To run Brixham RFC, more than 175 volunteers come together at various times of the week to ensure the club runs smoothly.

The Good Neighbour Award sponsored by Torbay Business ForumNominees: Luke Cook, Teresa Panizzi

Winner: William (Bill) Taylor. William Taylor truly embodies the spirit of a Good Neighbour For more than 50 years, he has consistently placed service to others at the heart of his life. His contribution spans generations and sectors — faith, civic leadership, environmental improvement, veterans’ support, and community wellbeing.

What makes William exceptional is not only the breadth of his service but the humility with which he has given it. Whether saving lives in extraordinary circumstances, supporting vulnerable children at Christmas, enhancing public spaces, or simply ensuring veterans have a place to gather and feel valued, William has always acted with compassion, commitment, and integrity.

At 92, he remains a respected figure and a true community champion, whose legacy is visible throughout Torbay. His lifelong dedication has strengthened community bonds, inspired others to volunteer, and left Torbay a better place for future generations.

Young Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by South Devon College

Winners: Daisy Coote who at just eight years old has been fundraising making sweets and selling them to  raise £1700, which contributed significantly toward the goal of feeding a total of 250 children before Christmas.

Peter-Criss Brian Healy who turned tragedy into something positive following the death of his father from cancer in December 2021 by raising more than £2400 for the Rowcroft who nursed him and helped the family after he died.

Macey Gardiner, who is aged just 17, does four evenings a week working with young sea scouts, cubs and beavers at the 11th Torbay Sea Scout teaching them life skills and running events.

Yazmin Stanley regularly volunteers at the Ellacombe Community Café and Help Hub, where she ensures everyone receives food and kindness in equal measure, providing a welcoming, safe, and friendly atmosphere for everyone who comes through the doors, regardless of their circumstances.

Lifetime Award sponsored by the Torbay Weekly

Winner: Carolyn Morgan for her voluntary work over more than 35 years with Brixham Old People’s Association, Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir, Brixham Horticultural Society, Brixham Methodist Church, Torbay branch of Parkinson's UK, the Exeter branch of the Merchant Navy Association and the Diabetic Association of Torbay.

Winner: Major Ron Goodwin, who effectively saved the Paignton branch of the Royal British Legion from closure 23 years ago and went on to build it up to be one of the most active branches in the country, raising £50,000 a year for the Poppy Appeal. Ron refocused the branch on its core objectives of Remembrance, Comradeship and Welfare.

Winner: Tanny Stobart was the founding director of Play Torbay (formerly known as the Torbay Play Forum), promoting children's play in the Bay. The aim of Play Torbay is quite simple: to provide fun, accessible play opportunities all year round, including playground adventures, play days and special events, based on an understanding that play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and a fundamental human right.

Tanny has been the inspiration and driving force behind Play Torbay, which has touched so many people’s lives over the last 25 years. Tanny stood  down as Director of Play Torbay as of December 31, 2025 after 25 years but she will continue her work in the local community and has taken on a role with Play England to support national policy on children’s play.