By Bejay Browne
A DEVOTED charity worker who has been instrumental in raising thousands for the Paphos Renal Unit, and a young, courageous blind boy have been announced as the winners of the ninth annual Paphos Hearts of Gold awards.
In addition, two new awards – the lifetime achievement award and the Jasmitha Singh award for courage – were also given to a committed charity head (postumously) and a brave inspiring boy.
The winners of this year’s awards were announced by Patron Marios Joannou Elia at a packed ceremony at Palia Ilektriki cultural centre on Friday.
In all, the names of 31 adults and 16 children were put forward for this year’s awards. Graham Brown and four year old Iordanis Demetrof (Dani) were chosen by a panel of ten judges and announced by Joannou Elia, who is the patron of the awards for the second year.
The two winners were each presented with a solid gold hand-crafted heart on a pin, which is created and donated every year by Aphrodite Jewellers, as well as a certificate and a bouquet of flowers.
A tearful Graham Brown, winner of the adult award, said: “I can’t believe that I’ve won, there are so many wonderful people here today and I didn’t even imagine I would be chosen.”
Graham is the chairman of the Cyprus Kidney Association, and has worked tirelessly over many years to support the Paphos General Hospital Renal Unit by providing much needed equipment.
He suffers from a hereditary kidney disease, and has kidney dialysis three days a week for five hours a day.
Graham also received a two-night stay and dinner at the luxury Almyra Hotel.
Four year old Iordanis Demetrof (Dani) is the winner of the junior section and the youngest to ever hold the title.
Dani was born blind and has had to undergo a number of risky and painful treatments abroad. Despite the pain he goes through, he is a happy child who has shown great improvement and will undergo further treatments in the coming months to try to regain his sight.
Tom Handley was the posthumous winner of the lifetime achievement award. Tom passed away earlier this year and his wife Jan, was presented with his award.
Tom dedicated his life in Cyprus to the Paphos cancer patients support group and was the chairman until ill health meant he had to step down earlier this year.
Karim Svintovsky is eight years old and was presented with the Jasmitha Singh award for courage. Jasmitha is a previous winner and died earlier this year, aged just 15 years. The award was presented by her mother, Satiya.
Karim is a brave boy who loves school and had a severe squint in one eye which needed correction and was helped by the Dashin Foundation. He can now read more easily and join other in sports activities. He has also been a great moral support to his mother through tough times and is described as inspiring, bright and clever.
Joannou Elia spoke about the importance of being motivated by goodness, the importance of community and social behaviour and praised all of the nominees.
“The way in which we all behave is so important for the community which we create for ourselves and we are all connected. So many of you are dong wonderful things which may not be realised straight away, but in a few years. Doing things with good intentions and from your heart means so much. I am honoured to be a part of this award once again, and to see you all here today. Please know that you are all winners.”
Nominees, their families and friends, members of the judging panel, and representatives of the social welfare committee were all present at the ceremony which took place to a packed audience of around 200.
The Zingers, an amateur singing group who were also nominated for raising thousands of euros for local charities, greeted guests with festive songs. Chris Hopkins was this year’s photographer and James Walton the videographer.
All of the nominees received a certificate and a flower presented by British Vice Consul Christina Smith and Maria Zavrou of the Paphos social welfare committee.
The Heart of Gold Awards recognises children and adults that live in the district of Paphos who have shown tremendous courage, strength and determination, worked tirelessly in the community or for charities, overcome tragedies with a smile or simply been a great help and support to neighbours and friends.
Pictures and a video of the event will be available at the dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/paphosheartsofgold .
The annual award is supported by Paphos Municipality, Aphrodite Jewellers, Massiva printing, the Cyprus Mail, Paphos Post, Sunshine radio, the British High Commission, Almyra Hotel.
