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.
SGS Engineering then shortlisted five worthy finalists for a public vote.
Chris Griffiths of Unique Heating and Bathrooms received almost half of the votes cast (49%) to take victory and will collect a £1,000 cash prize. Two regional finalists with their own inspiring stories (details below) will also each receive a £250 cash prize.
Speaking upon receiving the award, Chris said: “I am over the moon to be named as the winner of the SGS Local Hero Awards – getting national recognition is a great feeling!”
“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): Band of Builders is a charity that provides support to tradespeople, including renovating the homes of trade workers who have experienced life-changing circumstances.
Rachel Griffiths, Flintshire, (Wales): Rachel shares her plumbing work on Instagram and 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 added: “We’d like to offer our huge congratulations to Chris and the two regional runners up on their achievements and their well-deserved prizes – 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.
“It was fantastic to see such a variety of finalists this time around, including a plumber inspiring a female apprentice to join the trade, and an electrician challenging the norm and creating an eco-friendly business. 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.
“See you again next year.”
Further information can be found here.
