Community Heroes 2021: Charity Hero of the Year

AFTER carefully considering all the nominees for this award, our judges decided to honour Deadpool...or rather Paul Edwards from Penycae.

This tireless fundraiser has covered miles and miles across the UK - often dressed as Deadpool - to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

Paul, 55, was nominated by Cat Dowdeswell, Hope House Children's Hospices' area fundraiser for Wrexham, Whitchurch and Market Drayton.

Cat said: "Paul has raised over £26,870 over the past few years for Hope House Children’s Hospices.

"Despite the fact that Paul has no personal connection to the charity, he has completed many stunning challenges with 2021 being the toughest so far.

Cat added: "Paul walked from John O’Groats to Land’s End on his own, with no support team and did this dressed as Deadpool. The journey took in 1,000 miles in 39 days. He raised over £16,000 during this challenge and his efforts are truly humbling.

Paul said: "I've been doing fundraising events for two decades. It started with marathons and then beyond marathons. I started looking at my own personal challenges. The hospices rely on fundraising like this. So it's not just the fundraising it's getting it out there so people of aware of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it."

About his choice of Deadpool costume for some of his challenges, Paul said: "I'm doing it dressed as Deadpool in honour of the amazing takeover of our beloved Wrexham FC by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"The reaction I got was mainly double takes. People couldn't believe it."

Paul has been raising money for Hope House for 18 years.

He said: "I don't have children myself but I can only imagine the pain the families must be feeling when they have a dying child. It will never leave them.

"Hope House provides counselling to these poor families during and after the death of the child for as long as needed. It's a hugely important part of the care.

"So, although I have no direct connection to the hospice, I feel that whilst I am still physically able to do these challenges then I will.

Cat added: Paul is a true community hero and deserves this recognition from his community as the families at Hope House Children’s Hospices have benefited immensely from his staggering challenges."

Charity Champion of the Year - Highly Commended

THE Refugee Kindness North Wales group has been highly commended in our awards for the work it does in the community.

At Refugee Kindness the aim is to reach out to all refugees and all those wishing to help refugees to enable them to link up, offer friendship, assistance in integrating, provide clothing and shoes for children, essential furniture, work opportunities, and more.

Nominated by Pete Rogers, of Bangor on Dee, this small group of mostly volunteers have been working relentless hours, especially during the pandemic, to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers are being given the best possible chance when they are relocated to this area.

Pete said: "Not only do the group spend time with families building trust and ensuring they are supported but the fact that 'kindness' is in their name means they have curated a circle of people around them with similar values."

The Charity Champion of the Year award is sponsored by Ceidiog Communication

Ceidiog Communication is a leading PR agency that’s proud to promote all that’s best about North Wales – and there’s plenty to shout about.

The company represents a number of high-profile clients in The Leader’s circulation area and the managing director, Ceidiog Hughes, a former Leader journalist, was born and raised in the Wrexham area.

Ceidiog said: “The past 20 months have been an incredibly difficult time for all of us but these are exciting times for Wrexham, not least because of the stranger-than-fiction story about two Hollywood stars taking over our beloved football club.

“As someone who proudly hails from Queen’s Park, as Caia Park was originally known, and later lived in Bwlchgwyn and Coedpoeth, it’s important to me that we give something back to the community we serve.

“That’s why I am delighted to be able to support the Leader’s Community Heroes Awards by sponsoring the Charity Champion category which epitomises the generous spirit of the people who live in the area.”

Ceidiog Hughes, Managing Director of Ceidiog Communication.