Not a dry eye in the dry bar!
27 October 2012
Not a dry eye in the dry bar!
The Brink played host to Merseyside’s first Recovery Awards on Saturday 27th October 2012. The dry bar was decorated with stunning butterflies care of Strange Case Collective which set the backdrop for the moving and inspirational award ceremony.
Suited and booted guests started arriving earlier than the start time of 7pm; the excitement evident. These were the lucky ones who had managed to secure the hottest ticket in town as the event was hugely oversubscribed.
/Recovery-Awards-2012.aspx?width=150&height=84 "Recovery Awards @ The Brink")
The Brink Fizz flowed as guests, nominees and judges mingled prior to the opening speeches by The Brink’s Community Engagement Worker, Damien Kelly. Kate Kingston from Kingston Shaw Interior Design, who kindly sponsored the event and Nick Mercer who talked about his own recovery and introduced the evening. /Recovery-Awards-2.aspx?width=150&height=100 "About the finalists")
A hush descended over the audience as the short film presentation about the finalists was shown but as each clip finished a cheer broke out.
The roof was then raised by the incredible 12-piece local band ‘Spread The Jam’ who totally rocked the room with some catchy retro James Bond themes of which Daniel Craig would be proud!
/Band-2-Recovery-Awards-2012.aspx?width=150&height=100 "Spread the Jam @ The Brink")
/Band-1-Recovery-Awards-2012.aspx?width=150&height=104 "Spread the Jam @ The Brink")
Tom Gill and team offered up a delectable degustation of figs wrapped in parma ham, roast loin of Lakeland pork and mouthwatering Belgian butter waffles all accompanied by a variety of the 80 types of soft drinks on offer at The Brink.
Anticipation was palpable as the award presentation began. Each award recognises the amazing work the winners have achieved either as part of their own recovery or towards helping others in recovery. The panel of judges drawn from statutory organisations and businesses had had an extremely tough task of whittling down the nominees to just two well-deserving candidates.
The winners were:
Social Impact – Peter McLean
Volunteer of the Year – Denise and Trevor Diggory
Extraordinary Achievement (woman) – Ellie Traynor
Creative Recovery – Leon Jakeman
Worker Supporting Recovery – Robbie Annesley
Unsung Hero – Kevin Waldron
Group/Project/Team – The Bridge House Project
Extraordinary Achievement (man) – Thomas Cuddy
/M-Doyle-Recovery-Awards-2012.aspx?width=150&height=107 "Finalist - Mhairi Doyle")
The Sue Mercer Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an individual in recovery (with a minimum of 5 years clean and sober) who has made exceptional progress and has been a role model to others went to Mhairi Doyle who received the £500 cash prize to be donated to a recovery oriented project of her choice.
Without the very kind donations of the following sponsors, these awards would not have been possible. We would like to thank:
- Base2Stay Liverpool
- School of Social Entrepreneurs
- LEAF
- R2 Architecture
- Elixir Group
- Pearson Fielding Solicitors
- Paul Caris of Eversheds
- One Park West
- David from PaperTwin Productions
Nick Mercer took to the stage again to give the closing speech and he and Jacquie Johnston-Lynch thanked everyone who made the night possible, in particular the judges, front of house team, chefs and volunteers.
The ‘photo booth’ which was set up in the back room was inundated with visitors who wanted to create a memory of their own special award evening. We are sure this is just the beginning…
What a night! Who says you need drink and drugs to party?
Back to latest news
Share this story:
