The Milton Keynes Mayor's Awards took place on Friday 24th February, celebrating individuals and groups that have made an impact in the community.
The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Amanda Marlow, invited residents to nominate individuals or groups that have made an impact in our community for the Milton Keynes Mayor's Awards 2023.
Following judging panel consideration, the winners and runners up from each category attended a formal presentation on Friday 24th February during the Mayor's Civic Reception.
The night was hosted by MKFM Breakfast Show hosts Wes and Ros alongside the Mayor herself, Councillor Amanda Marlow who got to meet all the winners from the night.
Mayor's Awards 2023 Winners:
Outstanding corporate contribution to charity
Cranswick Foods
Sports person of the year award
Naana Oppon
Coach of the year
Pete Taylor of the Milton Keynes Basketball Club, MK Breakers.
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Caz Tricks
Charity of the year
Youth Information Service (YiS)
Volunteer of the Year
Chris Geary
Community Champion
Tayler Tookey
Diversity and inclusion
Alok Wakhare
Education
Finlay Douglas
Health
Dr Thao Nguyen
Special Mayors Award
Finally, there was one overall winner for the Mayor's Awards 2023. "We spent a lot of time considering all the entrants and the one that I felt stood out for me," the Mayor said.
Brad Bradstock was part of the Milton Keynes art and music scene since 1973; he was a member of the cock and Bull Band, the Living Archive Band, a Morris Dancer, actor and director.
His theatre work with Stantonbury Theatre Group and The Living Archive told the stories of the people of Milton Keynes in both the long distant past, and the present, but especially his portraval of the First World War veteran Hawtin Mundy.
In later vears Brad wiss orgamber of Kobold, a very successful local acoustic band.
For well over twenty years, Brad worked as an IT Technician at The Redway School, a special school for children with severe learning disabilities, and became a friend to all the pupils.
Throughout the Covid lockdowns when we were all at home and schools were shut, pupils at the Redway had online "singalong with Brad sessions". Brad provided a vital connection for those children, who were very confused by their abrupt change of routine, by singing favourite school songs such as Hello Mr Sun, Elephants have Wrinkles and Lets go Fly a Kite. He was selfless in his devotion to the children, even though he was shielding at home due to suffering with advanced prostrate cancer.
He died in January, and has left a giant hole in the music scene of Milton Keynes.
"He was truly an unsung hero," organisers said.
