Bolton’s highest civic honour will be awarded to a selfless campaigner for bereavement support, a pioneering local businessman, a remarkable community leader and a tireless champion for young adults.
Last month the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, announced that the reintroduction of the Bolton Civic Medal to honour outstanding contributions to life in the borough.
After receiving dozens of nominations, the four recipients chosen by the independent panel were announced at last night’s Full Council meeting.
Jane Dixon, Dee Luczka, Ken Heathcote and Ganshyam Patel will receive their medals at a special private ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour next month.
Inspired by personal experience, Jane Dixon established The Bereavement Café to support families and young people dealing with the death of a loved one.
Adamant that grief should not be a taboo subject, Jane organises community workshops, works directly with schools and gives support training to teachers.
When Ken Heathcote finished his national service with the parachute regiment, he co-founded Bolton Health Studio a multi-fitness gym and the first of its kind anywhere in the country.
Known as the Father of Fitness, Ken has raised a fortune for various charities by completing marathons, cold water swims and many other impressive physical feats.
Dee Luczka is CEO of Sapphire Partnerships, a charity that supports vulnerable young adults with neuro diverse needs and disabilities, creating safe spaces and supporting them to develop essential life skills.
As Vice Chair of the Voluntary Community Sector Forum, Dee is described as a “bold and energetic champion” of Bolton’s outstanding charity sector.
Arriving in the UK in the 1970s, Ganshyam Patel started his life in Bolton with little more than a determination to succeed and to help others.
He has supported many people to settle and feel a sense of belonging in Bolton, not least in his role as Chairman of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Art and Culture Centre.
The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, said:
“Reading through the dozens of nominations was a welcome reminder of how lucky we are to have so many truly outstanding and dedicated individuals here in Bolton.
“Selecting just four worthy recipients was tough, but I feel these four are a great representation of our supportive, diverse and caring community.
“I am so proud to be mayor in the year this great tradition has been revived and I look forward to seeing many more Civic Medals awarded into the future.”
The Bolton Civic Medal is the highest civic honour the borough can award, recognising outstanding achievement or distinguished service.
Awarding the bronze-cast medals will become an annual celebration of those who have made a major contribution to life in the borough.