THIS award shines a spotlight on the district’s businesses which go the extra mile to provide services to their community and help people in a range of ways.

This year’s finalists are 2TSHIRTGANG, Dandelion Cafe and Core Gym (Greengates).

2TSHIRTGANG organised online workout sessions during lockdown to support people with their fitness and mental health, and have been described as “fantastic role models”.

Those who nominated 2TSHIRTGANG have said that it helps to “keep kids away from the streets” and has managed to “create safe and productive environments for young people of all races and ages.”

“In lockdown I was made redundant and had no money, I was stressed, my kids were stressed and they were inside 24/7 with nothing to do”, explained one person who nominated the organisation.

“I called 2TSHIRTGANG and told them my situation - they were really good and now, nearly a year in, my kids still love the classes.

“The team listened and supported me and others throughout Covid.They took the time to train my kids and ask about my well-being, and offered information on Covid-19 too.”

Others added that the team are “always encouraging others, they are positive, they make a difference”, and are “very special, liked and well-known in the community”.

“They are mentors to so many young people who look up to them and are inspired by what they have achieved. Older people in the community are very proud of them also - they are, as they say, ‘home-grown’. They were born and raised in the community they are giving back to”, it was added.

“Around the time of George Floyd’s murder, the Black Lives Matter movement growing and the pandemic, they delivered regular online sessions to discuss how the current events were impacting people.This offered a space for people to offload, brought the community together through times of unrest and unknown, and promoted community cohesion”, another nominator added.

Dandelion Cafe was nominated for “being a place that welcomes you”.

“The cafe made healthy food during lockdown and would always ask if I was okay. The staff make you feel that you are cared about. After my heart attack, it was a place me and my husband went to help get me out of the house”, said a person who nominated the cafe.

Core Gym in Greengates “actively encourages” local community activities and has sponsored local groups to provide regular litter picks - as well as community gardening and installation of a Christmas tree and lights - said one person who nominated it.

“It has been sponsoring Greengates and Apperley Bridge volunteers’ groups since 2018, even during the pandemic when they were closed and had no income, and their financial support has been crucial to community events and activities”, it was added.

“They selflessly continued financial support for community activities, even though they had no income through most of 2020 and 2021.”

Vote for your favourite here