Award: Achievement Against the Odds (sponsored by LV Insurance)
Nominated by: Victoria Parsons
No. 1 in our series looking at the stories behind the eight Stars of the Stokes award winners honoured earlier this year at a presentation dinner held at the Hilton Bristol Hotel, following a call for nominations promoted in the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine.
Victoria nominated her father, Nigel Parsons, for building his life despite having a congenital heart problem. Nigel was diagnosed as terminally ill in his 40s, but in 2009 a match was found for him to have an organ transplant. Since 2010, he has had a relatively stable period of health but Victoria wanted to show her appreciation for the way in which he has continued with his life, going on to volunteer at St Peter’s Hospice. He received his Five Year Award for this, and due to his determination over the years, he has received the community’s recognition for Achievement Against the Odds.
Victoria said of The Stars of the Stokes award:
“It was a pleasure to attend the ceremony and watch all the worthy nominees receive their awards. I am very proud of my Dad for his achievements. Thanks to all the sponsors for recognising the good in our community.”
Nigel said, on receiving his award:
“Although I am thankful for the nomination and award, I accepted this on behalf of the heart donor and their family in remembrance of their gift, as without that, this would not have been possible.”
Photo (l-r): Nick Einhorn (event host), Nigel Parsons (winner of the Achievement Against The Odds award) and Ann-Marie Williams (representing category sponsor LV Insurance).
The 2016 Stars of the Stokes awards were jointly promoted by the Willow Brook Centre, the Bradley Stoke Journal and the Hilton Bristol Hotel.
This article originally appeared in the July 2016 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
