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Community spirit lives on in brave Cameron

23.03.11

A YOUNG Meningitis UK supporter has become the first winner of a new award, in recognition of his fundraising work.

Cameron Johnson, nine, was chosen to receive the June and Bob Sharpe Award for Care in the Community after helping to raise £25,000 in memory of his younger brother Ryan, who died from meningitis last year aged three.

The award has been launched in memory of the late June Sharpe MBE and her husband Bob, who were well known in the Bristol area for their tireless work.

Mrs Sharpe was a Brownie, Guide, and British Red Cross cadet leader who worked with youth groups across Bristol for 28 years.

She was appointed MBE in 1993 for all her hard work.

Mr and Mrs Sharpe founded Bromley Heath Gardening club more than 35 years ago, which still meets at the junior school. After Mr Sharpe died in 1997, Mrs Sharpe continued to run it. After Mrs Sharpe passed away in 2009, gardening club members approached her daughter Kay Clare about a lasting way to remember the couple.

The idea for the June and Bob Sharpe Award for Care in the Community was born and is now up and running.

The first winner was Cameron, a pupil at Bromley Heath Junior School, who has taken part in Meningitis UK's 13-mile Summer Stroll walk and held special fundraising parties.

He was awarded £50 and a trophy.

Mrs Clare attended the school yesterday to meet the children and discuss the future of the legacy with headteacher Faye Kitchen and May Detheridge, treasurer of Bromley Heath Gardening Club.

"June and Bob were so important in the community – they really believed in care in the community and helping people," said Mrs Detheridge.

"The gardening club wanted to remember them in a practical way – we didn't just want to dedicate a garden bench to them.

"This fund will reward children who are really deserving and hopefully encourage others to get involved in worthwhile activities outside school."

Mrs Clare, who lives in Magor, South Wales, told the Evening Post: "I think what Cameron and the other children did was really wonderful and just goes to show the sort of initiative that these children can have."

Ms Kitchen said: "Cameron is a very deserving winner – he is a remarkable young man.

"He's an admirable example to us all and to everyone here at Bromley Heath."