Unsung Hero Awards 2009

The Bournemouth 2026 Unsung Hero Awards took place in September 2009 at the Highcliff Hotel Bournemouth.

A pensioner who has devoted the past 13 years to helping the elderly and disabled get out and about has been crowned Bournemouth’s Hero of the Year.

Michael Bliss, 76, from Townsend, drives the Bournemouth Accessible Transport Bus three days a week as a volunteer, taking passengers on day trips. He was among those celebrated at the Echo-backed Unsung Hero Awards, organised by Bournemouth 2026, which took place at The Highcliff Hotel on Wednesday September 30.

Speaking after the ceremony Michael said: “I started to shake when they read my name out, it means so much to me and my passengers will be delighted. I love helping people, it’s great to be giving something back and making friends.

“It crosses my mind every now and then how lucky I am – there but for the grace of God go I. One day I might need the BAT bus myself.”
The Pink Champagne Dragon Boat Team, a registered charity promoting the health and wellbeing of breast cancer survivors, won the Fighting Fit award, which was sponsored by Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust. Jess Griffiths, 27, who set up I Eat, an organisation helping people with eating disorders, was runner-up.

Bruce Bedlam and Bill Moffatt , life-long friends who spent the past year restoring an unsightly Boscombe garden, won the Clean and Green Award, sponsored by Transdev Yellow Buses. Environmental campaigner Harriet Stewart-Jones was runner-up.

In the Crime Buster category, sponsored by Dave Wells Properties, the award went to the Kings Park Football Project where volunteers Darren Dixon, Denis O’Sullivan, Adam Leighton, Michael Jones, Dave Ashford, Lee Park, Andy Boland and Andy Marques have been running football activities for young people aged eight to 16 to reduce antisocial behaviour and build self esteem. Robin Dawkins who runs Teen Wheels, a charity teaching children mechanics and the principles of driving, was runner-up.

Debbie Clifton, Development Manager of Bournemouth 2026, said: “Hearing about the incredible kindness of people in our community was very moving. All our finalists have devoted their time to helping others selflessly and without them Bournemouth would be worse off. We really do owe these people a debt of gratitude.”

As well as winning Hero of the Year, sponsored by JP Morgan, Michael Bliss was presented with the Heart of Gold Award, sponsored by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association. Harry Masters, 64, who volunteers as a mentor helping rehabilitate young men released from prison, was runner-up.

Daily Echo Editor Neal Butterworth hosted the awards and local dance company Pure Funk gave an energetic street dance performance to help raise awareness of the forthcoming Dance Centre in Bournemouth Pavilion.

The event raised hundreds of pounds for the Mayor’s supported charities: The Can’t Walk Away Project, which supports children in Targu Mures, Romania, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the cancer charity Tenovus and the Community Foundation for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.
Ends.

To find out more about this years finalists please click below

Hero finalists 09 (.doc) (34 KB)

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