‘Pride of St Peter’ honoured

Eleven outstanding residents of St Peter were celebrated on Wednesday as they received the Pride of Barbados Award under the We Gatherin’ initiative, recognising their years of dedicated service to their community.

During the award ceremony, St Peter MP Colin Jordan highlighted the diverse contributions made by the recipients in various fields, including business, church work, and community service.

He said: “We have a range of persons who would have contributed to our community, to our parish, in a number of different ways. People have contributed through business, through work with the church, through work in communities, in business, in a wide range of areas. The beauty of the Pride of Barbados Award is that it recognises people who contribute, not in just the areas we consider to be the “traditional” areas, but all of our awardees today have contributed in a significant way to the building of their communities.”

Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw also commended the awardees, emphasising the importance of sharing their knowledge and continuing to uplift St Peter.

She said: “I know many of you have lived a life of service to your communities, but to be recognised by your country, to be recognised by your community, is a significant accomplishment. I would encourage you to not just keep the knowledge that you have gained and don’t keep them to yourselves, but certainly to continue to enrich the parish of St Peter.”

Among those recognised was Sharon Howell, who was recognised for her work in improving the social, economic and environmental conditions of residents of St Peter. She described receiving the award as a “humbling and honouring experience”.

“I am humbled, honoured and privileged to receive such a prestigious award,” Howell said. “I really just want to give thanks to God the Almighty for all he has done for me thus far in my life, all of the talents that he has blessed me with that I can impart and share with members of the St Peter community.”

Being a Sunday School teacher at the All Saints’ Anglican Church while leading the corporate social responsibility programme at Republic Bank have allowed her to serve the wider community in a bigger way.

“All those things have really enriched my life, and I feel blessed to be able to give back to this Barbados that I love,” Howell said.

For Randolph Woodroffe, the award was a validation after years of his philanthropic efforts to expose young people to Barbadian culture and heritage.

“I am overwhelmed to be chosen today to receive one of the awards. It’s a worthwhile achievement after all the years of dedication and commitment,” he said.

Carol Boyce, who was recognised for his efforts in promoting enfranchisement and the upliftment of the Diamond Corner and Boscobelle communities, said: “I feel proud today that I have been recognised by the community of St Peter. I know I have been putting in a lot of hard work in St Peter, I did not expect to be awarded because what I always wanted to do was to serve the people of St Peter. It’s one of the best parishes in Barbados.”

Philanthropist Cheri Boyce said: “I am so privileged to have received such an award like this. Not going into an emotional state, but this award that I have received not only just for Cheri Boyce, but my friends, family, and houses that would have followed me throughout the years with my initiatives and my ventures for my people. It’s not [about] the individual, but the heart that you give to your country, and more so humanity.” 

(SB)