Local volunteer nominated for Halifax Giving Extra Award

Kenneth Ingram

Nominated by Carla Yeomans for a Halifax Giving Extra Award.

Yorkshire & North Midlands

Carla’s words given to Halifax

Ken volunteers every day in some form of another…he’s a community reporter, photographer, walker, dementia friend, runner and inspiration!

Ken is known to many people living and working in Belle Isle because of all his volunteering activities and lovely outlook on life! Ken’s diary is bursting with activities and events that he supports to give people living in his neighbourhood better opportunities; better support; and better access to services.

He is a community reporter for South Leeds Life; voluntarily spending his time writing online blogs about things people could get involved in or where to find help.

He is a volunteer photographer for the local housing office and primary school; he helps to run a dementia friendly drop-in service; and he fund-raises for various charities.

Most recently, Ken completed a 10k Memory Walk, which inspired him to become a qualified Walk Leader and start up a new community Walk and Talk group! Ken is 66 years old, has dementia along with other health concerns, including partial vision and is awaiting cancer treatment.

He is an incredible person. If Ken can, we all can.

Supported cause South Leeds Life and BITMO’s GATE.

Halifax says, Carla Yeomans nominated you for a Halifax Giving Extra Award.

At the Halifax we believe people who give extra in their local community deserve extra back. That’s why we’re celebrating those who make a positive difference in their community through the Halifax Giving Extra Awards.

Questions Halifax asked me.

How could Halifax colleagues help?

(a) Halifax could help in giving people advice on bank accounts and mortgages, how to get this information online.

How could £5,000 be used?

(a) Julie’s Ancestry group.
Would allow subscription to various on-line researches. I’m a member of this group.

The GATE has started a painting art class, and is held once a week at BITMO’s GATE resource centre. Any grant would help pay for art materials. I’m a member of this group.

I helped set up a Dementia café at my local pub, along with Peter Smith and the landlord Mark. Any grant would help pay for coach trips out.

Additional extra information asked by Halifax about me.

I live in sheltered accommodation in Leeds. Had a small business, but gave that up to look after my parents who got cancer in 2000. Both died in 2004. I now have joined 7 volunteer groups, many in the BITMO’s GATE resource centre.

Please note that the three groups I mentioned in my application are not the total number of groups money would go to if I win. Unfortunately only allowed so many words on application form I filled in, so the £5,000 will be shared among many of the volunteer groups I’ve joined or set up:

Belle Isle and Middleton in Bloom.

Cross Flats Park Run.

Other, Dementia Friendly Cafes.

First Aid Course when confirmed at BITMO’s GATE.

Help fund trips out for Belle Isle History group, run by Julie Holmes.

Have a fundraiser at BITMO’s GATE for good causes.

Any equipment needed for the South Leeds Life newspaper and blog.

At the moment as I said I’m a member of 7 volunteer groups, the list continues to grow and hopefully if I win, all would benefit.

I have also applied for a funding/grant for The GATE Walk and Talk. If I’m not successful in this, some of the money will go towards this.

There is also a number of £300 prizes up for grabs so hopefully will win one of those, if not the big one.

Final note from me:

Thank you Carla for nominating me. If I’m lucky in winning would appoint Carla to help me organise how money is spent.

As Carla says, I’m on the shortlist for my hospital appointment for my operation. I have chosen to go in to hospital at 24 hours notice. The cancer is a slow growth type and also will sort out another problem at the same time.

Will be in hospital between 3-5 days, and will need home rest for 6 weeks. I’m sure during this time, will write many blogs, news stories and what’s on guides plus Police appeals for missing persons, but from my flat.

Please see my Nomination online at:

https://community.halifax.co.uk/2015/nominees/yorkshire-and-north-midlands/kenneth-ingram/

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Update 30 January, a week to go.

Dear Kenneth,

Throughout October and November 2015 we received thousands of nominations for the Halifax Giving Extra Awards; an opportunity to recognise those who go the extra mile and make a positive difference in their community.

Over the past few months we reviewed each nomination, shortlisted the best and held a series of judging panels up and down the UK to help us find our 66 local winners.

Our Halifax Community Ambassadors will be contacting the successful local winners over the next few weeks before we formally announce all 66 winners on our website on 8th February. We will keep you updated on the progress of your nomination.

To keep up to date with how we’re giving extra back to those who give extra in their community, visit www.halifax.co.uk/community

Thank you and best wishes,

The Halifax Giving Extra Awards Team.

I do hope me or Julie Holmes win one of these awards and can put money to good use.