Chris Griffiths, a plumber based on the Wirral who offers reduced or cost-free work for local people, has been named the winner of the third annual SGS Engineering Local Hero Award.
In March, UK residents were asked to nominate a ‘hero’ tradesperson in their area who has demonstrated generosity and selflessness to help their community. SGS received several inspiring nominations, highlighting some of the many unsung heroes that are dotted around the country, then shortlisted five worthy finalists for a public vote.
Chris Griffiths, of Unique Heating and Bathrooms, received almost half of the votes cast (49%) and thereby clinched the £1,000 cash prize. Chris has shared details on his social media pages that he would complete half-price work for OAPs and has even completed a number of small jobs free of charge to help people in his local community. A testament to his generosity, Chris has pledged to put the money back into his local community, as opposed to spending it on himself.
“Getting national recognition is a great feeling!” says Chris.
“I still try to help people wherever I can. My apprentice who works with me is always having a go at me saying I never charge anyone!”
“I will continue to help my local community where I can. Being named the winner has me thinking about what more I can do to help my local community. I am made up that I have won the award, and thankful to SGS for the cash prize. I haven’t decided how I will use it yet, but I will be putting the money back into my local community.”
Two regional runners up received the highest number of votes in their region and will also each receive a £250 cash prize for the outstanding work they do in their community. They are: Band of Builders, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire (South-East) – a charity that provides support to tradespeople – and Rachel Griffiths, Flintshire, (Wales) who champions women working in the trades. She was nominated by a female apprentice who cited her as an inspiration to pursue a trade career.
Dave Gordon, General Manager at SGS Engineering comments: “So many tradespeople are doing great things in their community, and we are so happy to continue highlighting unsung heroes via the Local Hero Award. Each year we receive new types of stories that we haven’t heard before, and might not have heard about without this competition, which just shows why the awards are so important.
“We again congratulate and thank all of the tradespeople who were nominated for their sterling work. Hats off to Chris for pledging to use the prize money in his local community, and well done to all of the finalists for making it this far.”
For further information please visit: https://www.sgs-engineering.com/help-advice/our-local-hero-award-2023-winner-is-revealed/
