Press Release - local

September 2014

First Ark Group recognisesinspirational individuals and businesses at its annual Community Achievement Awards

Last night [Tuesday 16th September],Knowsley-based social impact business, First Ark Group, held its annual Community Achievement Awards to recognise all the inspiring and enterprising individuals and groups in the area who help to make great places and thriving communities.

Each of the 11 winners impressed a panel of judges with their commitment to creating success and helping to build a more thriving borough for Knowsley and its residents, mirroring the motivation of First Ark Group itself, which is to deliver real social value and investment to generate growth in the communities in which it works.

The successful winners on the evening comprise:

  • KHT Resident of the Year (sponsored by Innovation Central) – Sam Blackwell from Kirkby
  • KHT Resident Association (sponsored by Structec) – HME in Knowsley
  • Green Living Champion or Project (sponsored by Lyjon) – Larkins Farm in Knowsley
  • Community Organisation (sponsored by Gleeson) – Al’s Club in Huyton
  • Sport Achievement (sponsored by Bullock) – David Perryman from Knowsley
  • Creative Achievement (sponsored by ITS Technology Group) – The Ambition from Knowsley
  • Young Person of the Year (sponsored by Orchard) – Tia Donnellan from Huyton
  • Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fusion 21) – Cheryl Mullins of Prescot’s Grace Lea
  • One Ark Achiever (sponsored by One Ark) – Happy Go Cooking from Liverpool
  • Best Kept Garden (sponsored by Vivark) – Stephen Johnson from Knowsley
  • Overall Contribution to Knowsley Award (sponsored by Travis Perkins) – Al’s Club

Bob Taylor, CEO of First Ark Group, said: “Each of the individuals and businesses which have been recognised by our awards has proven that they are willing to go the extra mile to make a real difference in their localcommunities in a variety of ways. Several of the winners also reflect our green commitment to make precious resources go further while enhancing and maintaining the environment.

The awards evening was a great opportunity to reward people who have truly dedicated themselves to the borough and its residents. I’d like to offer my personal congratulations and a thank you to all of them.”

Broadcaster Andy Crane presented the awards which took place at The Venue in Huyton. The ceremony also featured a musical performance from Eleanor Nelly, winner of Knowsley Housing Trust’s Rising Stars competition, which sought to discover the borough’s best undiscovered, young talent, earlier this year.

For more information about the First Ark Group visit

Ends

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Notes to editor:

First Ark Group is a unique social impact business, aiming to provide world class housing, regeneration and facilities management services to its customers and create life changing opportunities which will inspire people and generate growth in the communities in which it works.

It comprises five companies that work together to create success, with the over-riding purpose of making a positive difference to communities and people’s lives:

  • First Ark Ltd is the parent organisation that sets and oversees Group strategy and provides corporate services
  • KHT is its successful housing association that provides homes to over 27,000 people through its 14,000 homes in Knowsley on Merseyside
  • Vivark is a social enterprise providing facilities management services to a range of clients in the North West

Oriel is its development brand, building homes for rent and for sale with a range of innovative ways to buy

One Ark is its new charity which will create life changing opportunities for people in Knowsley

Follow First Ark on Twitter: @firstark