Colin Jackson honours shining stars

WEST Midlands Police, whose trail-blazing employment project for people with disabilities is on line to be replicated in forces across the country, were among the 12 winners of national charity Shaw Trustís STAR Awards at Londonís Caf Royal.

A beaming Lincolnshire lad who was on the verge of getting chucked out of school, a theme park Maintenance Manager who has nurtured another troubled teen into a success story, and a Suffolk gran who shrugged off severe health problems to launch a new career helping others, were also among the stars at the glittering November 7 event.

Shaw Trust Chief Executive Ian Charlesworthís Special Recognition Award went to BT, BUPA, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Merrill Lynch, Unum Provident, Business in the Community and Employersí Forum on Disability. The surprise accolade marks the eightís crucial role as the charityís Mental Health Campaign Partners, which resulted in the
ground-breaking report Mental Health: The Last Workplace Taboo.

Among the other winners, single mum of two Bev Wood admits she could barely walk to the stage to receive her Employee STAR award from record-breaking hurdler Colin Jackson, who presented the trophies at the ceremony, hosted by writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe.

ìI was shaking so much I thought I was going to collapse and I still havenít come down to earth,í said Bev, who works as an Initial Contact Co-ordinator at Shaw Trustís Hounslow office and lives in West London.

ìMy son had just sent me a text saying, íWhether you win or not youíll always be a star to meí. I couldnít believe it when I heard my name being called,î said big-hearted Bev, who nearly died from heart problems.

ìThe STAR Awards are our biggest and brightest event of the year,î said Ian Charlesworth, Chief Executive of Shaw Trust, which provides training and work opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health, or social circumstances.

ìEvery single one of the people we work with is remarkable, and their achievements are truly inspirational. These Awards give us a chance to celebrate some of them.

ìTheir motivational stories are examples of the superb work done every day by Shaw Trust, its clients and its partners. But they represent more than that. They are milestones on the way to the future we want to build; one without prejudice, or barriers.î