The eleventh Annual Heart of Salford Awards took place at Buile Hill Park Hall on the 8^th December 2014. The event was attended by over 150 guests, including volunteers, community and voluntary organisations and the Ceremonial Mayor and Mayoress of Salford.

The aim of the awards is to recognise the difference each organisation makes to the people of Salford and to raise awareness of their hard work and the impact it has on the community.

The event was hosted by Salford CVS and Volunteer Centre Salford, the individuals who were nominated and received awards were people who give their time freely in a range of situations, but the one thing which they all had in common was that they make a big difference to the day to day lives of people throughout the city. As well as volunteer awards there was also Social Enterprise, Small Community Group and Charity of the year.

It was a fantastic afternoon, everyone present heard stories that moved and inspired, and which underlined the crucial role volunteering plays in our community. There were 10 charities nominated for the final award and Hand on Heart were announced as the winners due to the hard work of creating a Heart Safe Salford and in ensuring all 97 schools in the area have defibrillators. Lesley Groome, Fundraising Manager accepted the award on behalf of the team and was delighted that all the hard work had paid off. It was when accepting the award did Lesley announce that through huge support from many grant and trust organisations, local businesses, housing association and Salford City Council, that the last AED and training package had been dispatched to the last school in Salford the previous week. Making Salford the charity’s first Heart Safe City.

We’re extremely proud to have won in the Annual Heart of Salford Award and feel privileged to have such a special new addition to our accolades.