By Bejay Browne
THE WINNERS of this year’s Paphos Heart of Gold Award were a dedicated volunteer who is feeding the needy and a young girl who helps out at the same charity.
Pavlina Patsalou and Isabella Sergiou were chosen by a panel of ten judges and announced by the Patron of the award, Mayor of Paphos, Savvas Vergas.
The two winners were each presented with a solid gold hand crafted heart on a pin, which is theirs to keep and which is created and donated every year by Aphrodite Jewellers, a certificate and a bouquet of flowers. The presentation ceremony took place at Paphos town hall on Friday at midday.
Vergas said: “It is so lovely to see so many of you here today and I want to thank you all on behalf of the municipality and the council of Paphos for everything you are doing for our city. So many of you are doing wonderful things to help the community, such as fund raising and volunteer work. I also congratulate those of you that are coping with difficulties in your lives with a positive attitude.”
Winner of the adult award, Pavlina Patslaou, co-founded the registered charity Solidarity, along with Paphos councilor George Sofokleous about two years. They started by helping out about 20 needy families; this number has now grown to over 750.
Patsalou continues to work tirelessly to feed the hungry and needy families of Paphos ensuring babies get milk and nappies and adults have food on the table.
Isabella Sergiou was this year’s winner of the junior section. Isabella is 8 years old and helps out at Solidarity charity every day after school. She hands out food, arranges fundraising at her school and collects clothes. She also goes door to door to sell tickets for fundraising events.
Nominees, their families and friends, members of the judging panel, and representatives of the social welfare committee and local councilors were all present at the ceremony which took place to a packed audience.
Both of the winners said they were happy and surprised to be chosen.
This year 23 adults and nine children were nominated by members of the public.
The youngest ever nominee was also present. At just five months old baby Zoe Dhull, who underwent a life saving operation in Israel a few months ago, captured the hearts of the mayor and the audience.
The community- based award, is now in its seventh year and aims to recognise those who have shown tremendous courage, strength and determination, worked tirelessly within the community or for charities, overcome tragedies with a smile or simply been a great help and support to neighbours and friends.
The award is open to everyone who is a resident of Paphos, of all ages and nationalities.
The annual award, now in it’s seventh year, is supported by the Paphos municipality social welfare committee, Aphrodite jewelers, Massiva printing, the Cyprus Mail, Paphos Post, Rock FM and Nektarios photography.
Information and photographs of this year’s ceremony will be available at the Paphos Hearts of Gold Award Facebook page.
