This year’s Exceptional People in Care awards took place with a virtual ceremony last Saturday.

Over 300 young people in care and care leavers were nominated for this year’s awards, which had a movie theme.

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville opened the awards by praising the nominees for showing they can be ‘the very best versions of themselves.

The awards were:

The Big Heart Award – sponsored by Sussex NHS commissioners – went to a ‘kind and thoughtful’ young man who has supported new residents where he lives.

The Big Voice Award – sponsored by West Sussex Libraries Service – was given to a young person who has represented children in care in Parliament and at West Sussex Cabinet, and is studying politics at university.

The Big Talent Award – sponsored by Bidfood and West Sussex Catering Service – was given to a young man for his commitment and talent in drama, dance and singing.

The Big Thinker Award – sponsored by The West Sussex Virtual School – was awarded to a young woman who has overcome difficulties in education to gain a place at university to study art.

The Chris Linfield Award for Volunteering in the Community – sponsored by West Sussex Independent Advocacy service – went to a young man who made afternoon teas for those left housebound as a result of the national lockdown.

The Best Supporting Adult of the Year was won by a foster carer who was nominated by the young person he cares for, who said he ‘makes the best dad jokes’ and had been ’a truly amazing dad for me and I couldn’t ask for anyone better’.

The Big Strength Award – sponsored by SEND Commissioning Service – was awarded to someone who has become a ‘totally independent, knowledgeable young mum who has totally transformed her life through her own hard work’.

The Care Leaver of the Year Award went to a ‘super star’ young woman who produces a newsletter for care leavers and has a ‘real passion’ for education.

The final prize was the Young Person in Care of the Year 2020. The winner was described as a ‘kind-hearted’ young person who has taken on a range of leadership roles and is an anti-bullying mentor. She also picks litter in her community and created an allotment during lockdown.

The event was organised by the Children in Care Council, with the support of West Sussex County Council.

The Local Outbreak Engagement Board has met to discuss further steps in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in West Sussex.

The group, which includes representatives from the County Council, District and Borough Councils and health professionals, heard the latest case number in West Sussex.

Between 28 October and 3 November the infection rate was at 98.3 per 100,000.

The board also received an update on the work of the Community Hub. The Hub is open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm, to help those who need practical aid and support during the pandemic.

 More information can be found on the West Sussex website.

Several parks in Crawley have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag.  

The Memorial Gardens, Worth Park, Goffs Park, Ifield Mill Pond and Tilgate Park are among the winners, continuing a long run of awards for the council.

This is the 18th year in a row that Tilgate Park has received the award and the 12th time for The Memorial Gardens and Goffs Park.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country. 

A murder investigation is underway after the body of a 62-year-old man was discovered in Horley on Monday.

Ambulance personnel were called to Upfield Close just after 8am after the body was found. A 55-year-old woman from Horley has been arrested on suspicion of murder and police say their enquiries are ongoing. Officers say they do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Friday from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, which is investigating the incident, said:
“While it is too early to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public at this time. I would like to reassure local residents that my team will be working round the clock to follow up a number of lines of enquiry to ensure that whoever is responsible for this man’s death is brought to justice.

“We are also appealing to anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, who has not already come forward, to do so straightaway.”

Anyone with information should contact Surrey Police, quoting crime reference number PR/4520118973

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com

162 cases of Coronavirus were reported in Reigate and Banstead last week, which marks an increase on the previous week.

Figures, released by Surrey County Council on Monday, showed cases across the county are still rising, with 1,616 reported last week.

The figures are for the week during which the country was put back into a national lockdown, but some areas including Epson and Ewell and Elmbridge saw a fall in reported cases.

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com