LEGENDS OF INDUSTRY AWARDS 2019

3rd of October saw me receive one the prestigious Legends of Industry Awards bestowed by Variety the Children’s Charity.  This awards ceremony took place in the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate Manchester.  I received an award for Peace Activism & Charitable Work also I received a special edition Paccioni watch.  My award was sponsored by a company called PANGEA Sculptures. Pangea Sculptures is a collection of artisan sculptures designed to inspire.  Their sculptures are  sustainable international arts initiative connecting skilled African craftsmanship with art lovers in the UK, and beyond.  They specialise in producing stunning recycled-metal animal sculptures, bringing the heart of Africa into your home.  The sculptures are made in Nairobi, Kenya. There were only 11 awards given in total. 
 
Other winners included:
 
Gerry Yeung OBE, former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester 2017 and
Harry Yeung OBE, both for Culinary Arts. They own Yang Sing Restaurant in Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
Mike Summerbee for Football. The legendary Mike Summerbee played as a right-winger for Manchester City from 1965 to 1975, making 452 appearances, scoring 68 goals and being instrumental in a golden era during which the tea won four trophies between 1968 and 1970. Mike has invited me to sit in his Football Box, what does that mean – asked?
Cannon & Ball for Comedy. Oldham born Bobby Ball met Derbyshire’s Tommy Cannon whilst working in a factory in Bobby’s home town.  They didn’t know back then that their meeting would bring them fame and fortune in the world of show business and change their lives for ever.
Lucy Meacock for Television Broadcasting. Lucy, who I do know in a professional capacity, has a true passion for the North West. She is the longest serving female newscaster in the UK – presenting ‘Granada Reports’ for 30 years – and since 2007 has also presented the main national and international ITV news.  That deserves an award in itself.  Well done Lucy.
Amin Amiri – for Corporate Finance. He is the founder, funder and CEO of a2e Industries Limited. He is a highly accomplished corporate fancier, specialising in wealth creation by revitalising businesses through strategic and operational development.
Beth Tweddle MBE for Gymnastics. she was Britain’s greatest ever female gymnast. her impressive achievements include being a Olympic bronze medallist, a triple world champion, a six-time European Champion and seven-times National Champion. Beth has also competed in three Olympic game in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Connor McIntyre for Dramatic Arts. When Connor stood to receive his award the guests began to “BOO”.  I was perplexed at first until it was explained that Connor McIntyre is without question best-known for his iconic role in coronation Street as the villainous Pat Phelan.
Deborah Meaden for Business Entrepreneurship. I am such a fan of the BBC’s Dragons Den series of which Deborah is one of the most popular investors. She is also a a highly successful businesswoman and entrepreneur.  It was great speaking with Deborah and she said that: she finds me a “true inspiration” due to the work I have done.
Sheridan Smith OBE for Musical Theatre. Hailed as ‘The greatest theatre star of her generation’ by The Evening Standard and with over a decade of achievement in the world of television, film and theatre. I remember her from the her highly acclaimed portrayal of British icon, Cilla Black, in ITVs three-part drama, ‘Cilla’.
Mark Ormrod for Inspirational & Motivational Speaking.  His video alone was inspirational.  He is a Royal Marines Commando. In the early hours of Christmas Eve 2007 he was out on a routine foot patrol in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan when he stepped on and triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He woke up 3 days later in Sellly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and both legs had been amputated above the knee and his right arm amputated above the elbow.  He was the UK’s first triple amputee to survive and Afghanistan conflict. Making light of his ordeal Mark has gone onto inspire, support and change the lives of hundreds of others all over the world with is inspirational talks as to how being a triple amputee has not stopped him from being a whole person, still with dreams and hopes for the future.
 
For 70 years, Variety, the Children’s Charity, has been helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.
 
Here at CARISMA we have been helping disadvantaged children and young people within a different category.  Those whose lives have been touched by gun, gang and now knife crime.  We work with young people of school age trying to advocate one message, a message of PEACE = Positive Energy Always Creates Elevation.  This can only happen with People Ending All Conflict Everywhere = PEACE. We run workshops within schools and lead on school assemblies where we show them the ills of violent street crime and also inform them of how to make themselves safe and how they can work together as a community to remain safe.  We show them how to ‘build social capital’ in it’s simplest form.