A SPECIAL award was created at the tenth Southend Citizens’ Awards to remember the borough’s much-loved politician Sir Teddy Taylor.

The Southend Citizens Awards night took place last Thursday at Porters Civic House and Mayor’s Parlour, in Southchurch Road.

The awards go out to individuals who have made outstanding contributions within the community. Traditionally, the Southend Citizen Awards hand out three awards - Gold, Silver and Bronze.

But to pay tribute to Sir Teddy, 80, who died last Wednesday at Southend Hospital, the Sir Teddy Taylor Special Award was created.

A spokesman for the awards said: “After the recent very sad passing of the Citizen of Southend Award’s Patron, Sir Teddy Taylor, the judges have now named the Special award, the Sir Teddy Taylor Special Award and very suitably, this year it went to a very deserving recipient, Southend A&E.

“Everybody in Southend and the surrounding areas, have at some point experienced the fantastic work of the A&E nurses at one time or another.

“The staff members work long hours and save numerous lives on a daily basis. They truly are deserving winners of the Sir Teddy Taylor Special Award.”

Southend A&E was delighted to be the first recipient of the award.

Caroline Howard, clinical director of the emergency medicine unit, attended the awards night. She said: “I kept it a secret from the team until the last minute and then it was names in the hat for who came.

“I am delighted to accept the award on behalf of the whole department and it will definitely boost morale. The money will also go to a very good cause.”

Yvonne Blucher, managing director of Southend Hospital, said: “It’s great to have been nominated by several members of the community for our A&E’s fantastic work, a huge reflection of how our work is appreciated locally.

“It’s even more special and poignant that the award the team won is named after Sir Teddy Taylor, who did so much for the community of Southend. We couldn’t be prouder to accept it and it’s a huge honour.”

To mark the awards’ tenth anniversary, three bronze prizes were given out. Sophie Alderton, 20, became the youngest recipient of the Gold Citizen award.

See pages 16 and 17