Shining the spotlight on Pam Donnelly and Alice Simpson

Three words that leap to mind when describing Colchester Council executive director Pam Donnelly, who has been put forward for recognition as one of the Gazette’s Community Champions.

Pam also holds a post on the north Essex NHS board and chairs One Colchester - a strategic and operational group that brings together key partners, to try and keep residents safe and well.

Council leader Mark Cory was one of those to put her forward for praise.

He said: “She’s an amazing leader and team builder.

“Due to her drive, determination and care, she has built up a superbly strong team of blue light services, borough, county and voluntary sector partners, to act together as one, breaking down barriers and delivering solutions for our residents.

“Without her leadership, we may not have seen such an excellent Covid response in Colchester.

“We still have a long way to go but, with Pam bringing people together and taking action, I know we can achieve a lot.”

Pam Donnelly

Mr Cory was not the only person to make contact regarding Pam’s efforts.

Tracy Rudling dropped us a line in her role as chief executive of Community360 - a charity that aims to inspire voluntary and community groups to become more enterprising and sustainable - and vice-chair of One Colchester.

“Pam has shown great leadership and enthusiasm throughout this dreadful time, bringing us all together and providing system partners with the wraparound support that we individually have required,” she said.

“Personally, I’m inspired by her energy and compassion.”

Rob Huddleston, chief inspector and district commander for Colchester, added: “Her passion, professionalism and dedication to the community is evident in every decision she makes and every interaction.

“Pam has the ability to cut through and get to the heart of problems.

“She has guided a diverse team of partners drawing us together as One Colchester, reducing bureaucracy and delivering a real positive impact across a number of sectors, especially through the Covid impact.”

* Alice Simpson has been putting smiles on faces - and spreading festive cheer - during the pandemic.

Kind-hearted Alice launched an appeal on Facebook, asking people to donate goods for her to give to older people across Colchester.

Alice and her mum filled shoe-boxes with the items, wrapped them and delivered them to grateful recipients.

Between them, they managed to spread plenty of seasonal goodwill in the run-up to Christmas.

Allison Bradford dropped us a line to tell us about Alice’s kindness.

“She’s been fantastic and managed to deliver over 200 boxes for Christmas,” she said.

“Now she’s doing boxes for birthdays and Easter.

“She spends hours doing these and deserves recognition.”

* Do you know someone who has gone the extra mile during the pandemic?

From collecting shopping and donations to running errands and raising money, the challenges of the past year have brought the best out in certain people.

We want to reward them by shining the spotlight on their acts of kindness.

First, we need your help.

Drop us a line here and tell us who you’re nominating as a community champion.

Give us their name and tell us what they’ve done to help, support and inspire you and others. If you have a picture, even better.