Community Stars Awards: Fundraiser

Brenda Satterley

Her nomination reads: “For 40 years, Brenda has given part of her home over to cats who are in need of loving homes after abandonment, owner-surrenders and stray living. She runs a non-profit shelter which exists entirely from fundraising/ donations. Brenda rescued her first cat at the age of seven and has since gone on to rescue thousands.

“Brenda has given her life to help the local community by easing the pain for people who have had to give their pets up through no fault of their own. I have been volunteering a year and have been truly inspired by Brenda’s dedication and tireless fundraising, she is a true star.”

Brenda has featured in the pages of the T&A many times – and it isn’t always good news. Earlier this year Bradford Cat Rescue, which Brenda runs, feared it faced closure after callous thieves stole cheques sent in by readers to help the charity .

The money was earmarked to pay a £5,000 vets’ bill.

Mrs Satterley said at the time: “Some people had sent in cheques for £100 or £200 and we want to get them back. We have a £5,000 vets’ bill which needs paying so we are really struggling.”

Leanne Aspin

Leanne Aspin is currently a committed member of Lower Grange Community Association and an active key volunteer of Lower Grange Community Centre who is driven and focused to ensure that Lower Grange Community Centre is the focal point for residents, helping them to build a better quality of life for themselves and always ensures all that she is ‘on hand’ to make a real difference when needed, offering her time, energy and commitment on a regular basis.

Leanne’s nomination said: “I have found Leanne to be a highly-motivated and enthusiastic individual who will go out of her way to ensure that all residents of ages and abilities in Lower Grange community have a collective voice in community matters. Leanne has given a lot of her time, efforts and commitment in assisting and delivering developments of services and improvements to the Lower Grange community in a volunteering capacity.

“Leanne has gained a lot of respect from residents and professionals alike through her volunteering in the Lower Grange community and is a role model for other young single parents who look up to her, and to this immense importance in the work she is currently delivering.”

Leanne’s organised community trips last year, in which more than 650 local residents participated, delivery of community events such as the annual community Christmas party, and the winter warmth project which supported families with young children who were going through difficult financial hardship, supporting those in need.

She also secured funding which enabled her to distribute and provide more than 900 schoolchildren in the Allerton and Lower Grange areas with hats, gloves and scarves so they could stay healthy, warm and as comfortable as possible during the winter months.

Now she has helped secure more funding, representing the association, in partnership with Bradford Council and Local Area Ward councillors, to create a safe play space next to Lower Grange Community Centre for children and young people of all ages and abilities to play together, enjoy themselves, and develop their imaginative, social and physical skills.

Osman Gondal

Osman Gondal Is the CEO and founder of InTouch Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which is a community-based effort to address the plight of homeless men and women on the streets of Bradford and Keighley.

Its dual purpose is to bring attention to this plight and provide an organisation where volunteers can become directly involved in the preparation and feeding of the less fortunate who exist on the edge of society.

InTouch Foundation isn’t simply a hot meal on a night, it provides the beneficiary group (homeless people, those on the poverty line who can’t afford to feed themselves) with opportunities, choices and avenues and professional business networks to be able to make alternative choices in life.

In the short time of seven months he has been able to serve more than 4,000 meals to those in need in both Bradford and Keighley. He is in the process of offering this service in more locations around the UK and setting up a foodbank for Bradford.

According to the nomination: “Osman has a clear passion for working to make the world a better place. He has excellent communication skills and people skills and this is clearly evident in the way he has gained the support of nearly 100 volunteers of all background and races over the past six months.

“Osman has worked to help those less fortunate by not just feeding the homeless, but becoming a friend for them during their difficult phase of living below the poverty line. He has clear leadership skills and a sheer commitment to help those in need.

“He has given up all his time to this noble cause and has worked through snow, rain and hail so that those in need have some food and a place to come for a chat and a place to meet people who care for them.”