NOMINEES FOR 2016 HEARTS OF GOLD AWARD ANNOUNCED

From Cyprus Mail.  Article by Bejay Browne 6/12/16

THE nominations for this year’s Hearts of Gold awards which takes place in Paphos on Friday have been announced, and organisers said it’s a bumper year.


Every year, nominations are made by members of the public. “We have received so many wonderful nominations this year. These awards are a way to say thank you to the extra special children and adults in Paphos who may otherwise go unnoticed. They inspire us all to be better humans,” a spokesman for the annual event said:

The winners will be announced by the patron, Marios Joannou Elia, at a ceremony due to be held at Palia Ilektriki in Paphos on Friday at midday.

The categories are: the Junior Heart of Gold award for those under 18, and the Heart of Gold award for adults. Successful nominees will be presented with their solid gold handmade heart – created and donated every year by Aphrodite Jeweller’s – winner’s certificate and a bouquet of flowers. This year the adult winner will also receive a two-night stay and dinner at the luxury Almyra Hotel.

The Jasmitha award for courage is dedicated to Jasmitha Singh, a previous junior winner who died last year, the award will be presented by her mother, Satiya. The Paphos Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement award will also be given.

All of the winners will also receive a luxury hamper from Joulietta Chocolatier while Father Christmas will hand out presents to the children and entertainment will be provided by the Zingers and singer George Michaelides.

Nominated in the junior section are:  Zoe Dhull, 3, Sham Al Habrat, 10, Stella Kafa, 9, Holly Wood, 11, Tatiana Demurcheva ,16, Victor Vedenkov, 13, William Cairns, 11, Elias Hoy, 16, and Shichen Liu (Iris) 18.

Also nominated in the junior section is Georgina Moakler, 13, Olga Moiseenkova, 17, Owen Beazley, 17, Liam Smith, 11, Cristian Dinu, 8 and Charlotte Locke aged 11.  These youngsters have either shown dedication, determination or courage, are coping with serious illness, undertaking volunteering for charity or are excellent role models to others.

In the adult section, nominees include : 94 year old Kyriakou Stylianou, who has selflessly dedicated her life to others, Anastasia Chapidou Chrysomilou who donated her kidney, Helen Paraskeva for her charity work, Heather Brown for her contribution to The Paphos Kidney Association, Cathi Delaney for the Tala welfare centre, and Maria Kyriakides of Europa Donna.

The other nominees are: Panikos Chrysanthou, a PASYKAF bus driver for his kindness, Dikla Smith and Mikka Heaney for their Gift of Love appeal, Gaynor Georgiou for her care of stray cats, Dave Metcalf  for his kids programme – ‘Re-Cycle Bikes 4 Christmas’ and Marina Netsvetaeva for her campaign “Tidy Cyprus”.

Glenn Cairns has been put forward for his courage, Mona Skordi for her work at Archangel Michael Hospice while the hospice staff and hospice shop volunteers have also been nominated.  Hilda Georgiou is being considered for her courage and the Rachel Granger-Christou for her dedication to her patients and palliative care.

Dawn Foote and Linda Bulmer have been nominated for their volunteering at Tala Monastery cats sanctuary, Christiana Mouzouri and Elena Daniel of Peace2Peace and the Cyprus Association of Retired Police Officers, for their charity and welfare work while Father Carlos Ferrera has been nominated for his devotion to refugee families.

Others include Matthew Harris and Peter Hamilton for their care of unwanted dogs, and Maggie Wright for her litter clear up initiative.

The Zingers are being considered for fundraising and the Margarita Liasidou foundation for their support of the disabled. Ivy Gibson has been nominated for her hundreds of knitted charity blankets and the Paphos branch of the Cyprus Red Cross Society for their unwavering support of those in need.

Alan and Barbara Wilson have also been nominated for setting up MARCH – the military and retired Cyprus holiday for heroes and the Peyia Remembrance service.

Special mentions are also being given this year to two people. The late Brenda Thomason, for her dedication and support of various charities in Paphos, as well as the British and Cyprus Guides. Rehab Al Habrat is also being thanked for her ongoing help, comfort and guidance for refugees in Paphos.

www.heartsofgoldcyprus.com