Barry resident recognised as ‘lockdown hero’ in Openreach’s Community Connectors awards
Nigel Hughes recognised for raising £10,000 for local hospices (Gweler fersiwn Cymraeg isod - Welsh version below)
A Barry resident has been presented with a Community Connectors Award by digital network provider Openreach in recognition for their support for vulnerable neighbours during lockdown.
Nigel Hughes of Barry, who has Multiple Sclerosis, received the award after his feat of embarking on a daily ‘walk a mile’ challenge over three months, raising £10,000 for local charities including Woody’s Lodge, St David’s Hospice and Ty Halfan children’s hospice.
Openreach launched the Community Connectors Awards in 2020 to recognise individuals and groups for their work supporting local residents and vulnerable neighbours during lockdown. More than 130 nominations from MPs across the UK were judged by the panel including Openreach engineers and former Culture Secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan of Cotes.
Clive Selley, Chief Executive of Openreach, said: “We were inspired to launch the Community Connectors Awards by the efforts of our engineering team. The stories received from across the country have been inspiring and show how many people are working to make a difference and support their neighbours during lockdown.”
“Nathan hasn’t sought recognition but is a wonderful example to his community. I’m delighted and very grateful to be able to thank him for everything he continues to do to support the vulnerable in our society.”
Nathan Hughes said: “Woody’s Lodge is an amazing charity that helps veterans and emergency services personnel, like myself, and has been a huge support to me over the last few years. Walking one mile took me 99 days, which I did last summer, as my mobility is very limited. But raising money for Woody’s gave me a reason to try.”
Alun Cairns MP, who nominated Nigel for the award, said: “I’m so pleased that Nigel Hughes, a retired police officer with multiple sclerosis, challenged himself to walk a mile for Woody’s Lodge throughout lockdown. A huge thank you to Openreach for rightly recognising Nigel for his efforts.”
As key workers, Openreach engineers have connected numerous field hospitals up and down the UK within days, also performing vital maintenance to keep families and businesses online and in contact during lockdown. Members of the engineering team have also camped out in remote parts of the UK to ensure local connectivity and volunteered in their spare time – performing roles including as delivery drivers for NHS blood supplies.
‘Arwr cyfnod clo’ y Barri wedi derbyn Gwobr Cysylltwyr Cymunedol Openreach
Cyflwynwyd Gwobr Cysylltwyr Cymunedol gan gwmni rhwydwaith digidol Openreach i un o drigolion y Barri am gefnogi cymdogion bregus yn ystod y cyfnod clo.
Derbyniodd Nigel Hughes o’r Barri, sy’n dioddef o MS (Multiple Sclerosis), y wobr ar ôl cyflawni’r her ‘cerdded milltir’ dros dri mis, gan godi £10,000 ar gyfer elusennau lleol yn cynnwys including Woody’s Lodge, St David’s Hospice a hosbis plant Tŷ Hafan.
Lansiodd Openreach y Gwobrau Cysylltwyr Cymunedol yn 2020 er cydnabod gwaith unigolion a grwpiau wrth gefnogi trigolion lleol a chymdogion bregus yn ystod y cyfnod clo. Derbyniwyd dros 130 enwebiad gan Aelodau Seneddol ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig ac ystyriwyd gan banel yn cynnwys peirianwyr Openreach a’r cyn-Ysgrifennydd Diwylliant, y Farwnes Nicky Morgan o Cotes.
Dywedodd Clive Selley, prif weithredwr Openreach: “Ein tîm peirianneg oedd wedi ein symbylu i lansio’r Gwobrau. Profodd y storïau a dderbyniwyd o bob rhan o’r wlad yn ysbrydoliaeth wrth ddangos faint o bobl sy’n gweithio i wneud gwahaniaeth a chefnogi eu cymdogion yn ystod y cyfnod clo.”
“Nid oedd Nigel wedi edrych am gydnabyddiaeth fel hyn, ond mae’n enghraifft wych i’r gymuned. Rwy’n falch ac yn ddiolchgar o gael cyfle i’w ddiolch am ei waith caled wrth gefnogi pobl fregus o fewn ein cymdeithas.”
Dywedodd Nigel Hughes: “Mae Woody’s Lodge yn elusen anhygoel sy’n helpu cyn-filwyr a gweithwyr gwasanaethau argyfwng, fel fi, ac mae wedi bod yn gymorth mawr i mi dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Roedd cerdded un filltir wedi cymryd 99 diwrnod dros yr haf, gan fod symud yn anodd iawn i mi. Ond roedd codi arian ar gyfer Woody’s yn ddigon o hwb i mi.”
Dywedodd Alun Cairns AS, a enwebodd Nigel am y wobr: “Rwyf mor falch fod Nigel Hughes, cyn-swyddog heddlu sy’n doddef o MS, wedi herio ei hun i gerdded milltir ar ran Woody’s Lodge yn ystod y cyfnod clo. Diolch yn fawr iawn i Openreach am gydnabod ymdrechion Nigel.”
Fel gweithwyr allweddol, mae peirianwyr Openreach wedi cysylltu nifer o ysbytai maes ar hyd a lled y Deyrnas Unedig o fewn dyddiau o dderbyn y ceisiadau, a hefyd wedi gwneud gwaith cynnal a chadw hanfodol er cadw teuluoedd a busnesau arlein ac mewn cysylltiad yn ystod y cyfnod clo. Wrth wneud eu gwaith, mae aelodau o’r tîm peirianneg wedi gwersylla mewn rhannau anghysbell o’r wlad er cynnal cysylltiadau cyfathrebu lleol ac wedi gwneud gwaith gwirfoddol yn eu hamser sbâr - gan wneud amryw bethau fel dosbarthu cyflenwadau gwaed ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd.
-DIWEDD-
