Finalists in the The Cat Community Awards named

The finalists for The Cat Community Awards for Crewe and Nantwich have been unveiled.

The awards, designed to honour those who make a special contribution to the area, have been divided into a series of categories.

In the Long Service to the Community Award, finalists include Keith Cafferty (pictured), Irene Edwards and Ray Stafford.

Keith was an independent councillor for Nantwich who introduced Nantwich Fun Day and the St George’s Day celebrations.

Irene and family have raised over £150,000 for Christies Hospital in 20 years, with variety shows at The Lyceum. Irene lost her own fight with cancer recently.

Ray, known as ‘The Duck Man’, has raised more than £100,000 for local charities by organising plastic duck races.

In the Fundraiser of the Year Award, finalists include Ann Aspinall, Karen Boughey and Seahorse Swimming Club.

Ann, from Nantwich, organises the annual Turn Nantwich Pink event and has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research, after beating the disease herself years ago.

Karen, from Crewe, lost her son to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. She has continued to raise money and awareness of this condition.

The Seahorse Swimming Club caters for people with disabilities at Crewe baths and has raised £1, 853 for a lightweight wheelchair for member Nathan Hill.

In the Volunteer of the Year Award, finalists include Paul Boskett, Olwyn Payton and Paul Simpson

Paul Boskett has devoted many years of service to Scouting and Youth work in Cheshire, Olwyn dedicates her time to the Wingate Centre in Wrenbury, Richmond Village in Nantwich and the RSPCA,  and Paul Simpson has volunteered for the Family History Society, Nantwich Group organising speakers and meetings, and for local community radio station The Cat.

In the Achievement of the Year, finalists are Jake Lynch, Jimmy Quinn and Emma Timmis.

Autistic Jake, 17, defied the odds to get to Sixth form and had his first book ‘The Zirisian Princess’ published, Nantwich Town boss Quinn helped the team to FA Cup 1st round for the first time in 127 years, and Emma completed 60 marathons in 60 days along South Africa’s Freedom Trail in aid of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

In the Young Persons Community Award, finalists are James Bell, Joe and Max Haywood, and David Lewis.

James, 13, won the ‘Young Guitarist of The Year’ in 2011 and performed the Arts Festival Nantwich Jazz and Blues Festival, Joe & Max, from Wistaston, raised £501 for children in Africa by climbing the three highest peaks in the UK, while David and pals Kameron Brown-Ford and Oliver Wilson are volunteer fire cadets who raise money for local charities.