Ceremony Held In Conjunction With Irwin Mitchell

A Leeds based charity, Special Needs and Parental Support (SNAPS), announced winners of the first ever Big T Awards yesterday held in conjunction with law firm Irwin Mitchell’s specialist personal injury team.

SNAPS is a Leeds based charity set up by and for parents who have children with a disability organised the awards after realising how many people there are making fantastic contributions to the lives of others.

The winners were Lorna Dunn, Teaching Assistant at Garforth Community College, Leeds; Elaine Parr and Michael Moran, bus escorts for Green Meadows Nursery and School, Guiseley, and Mel Midgeley, Community Nursery Nurse at Seacroft Clinic, Leeds.

All nominees were invited along with the families associated with SNAPS to the Big T Awards held on Monday 27 September at Irwin Mitchell’s office in Wellington Place.

The Lord Mayor was on hand to present the awards to the deserving individuals. Alongside the award ceremony there was a Big T Party to celebrate with cupcakes provided by celeb cupcake favourite Fancie, and the official launch of the SNAPS 2011 calendar, starring families who benefit from the work of the charity.

Sam Grundy, Chair of SNAPS said: “The Big T awards gave the families we work with a chance to say a Big Thank You to the people who have made a positive difference to the children’s lives.”

“An extra special thank you goes out to the winners of the awards; Lorna Dunn, Elaine Parr, Michael Moran and Mel Midgeley. They all do such fantastic jobs and really do make a difference to many family’s lives.”

Rachelle Mahapatra, head of the medical law team at Irwin Mitchell, said: “After such an exciting and rewarding award ceremony, we can’t wait for next years awards! It has definitely proved to be a huge success in acknowledging the wonderful work of all the nominees and winners.

“The awards recognise those individuals, teams or organisations that have gone the extra mile in supporting families with a child with a disability and are an opportunity to say thanks to the people who make a big difference. “

Many other charities from across the region backed the Big T awards including; People in Action, Leeds Mencap, Little Hiccups, ABC and Daisychain Support Group Leeds.

Special Needs and Parental Support (SNAPS) was chosen by the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation earlier this year to be the new Leeds office charity for 2010/11. 

For more information about SNAPS and the work they do please visit www.snaps-vol.org.uk.