Angostura honours champions

Angostura chairman Terrence Bharath and Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon present Koriella Espinoza with her cheque as Giselle La Ronde West waits to present her with a bouquet of flowers.
Angostura chairman Terrence Bharath and Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon present Koriella Espinoza with her cheque as Giselle La Ronde West waits to present her with a bouquet of flowers.

GARY CARDINEZ

EVER wondered what an international surfer, an animal lover/caregiver, a football coach, a barber and a cancer caregiver and educator have in common?

In the eyes of Angostura Ltd they are all champions, community champions.

Last Friday evening at the House of Angostura in Laventille, Christopher Dennis, Elspeth Duncan, Frank Edwards, Donald McLean James and Koriella Espinoza were named the finalists in the first Angostura Champions Awards. Koriella Espinoza, founder of Korie’s Kids, was selected as Angostura Champion of the Year 2018.

Christopher Dennis receives his award from Carol Homer-Caesar.

The Angostura Champion award is a corporate social responsibility initiative to celebrate and support individuals who go above and beyond to improve the lives of others.

Nominations were open to the public and judged by a panel of notable members of society.

Friday’s event saw the top five champions, along with those who nominated them for the competition, treated to a Christmas dinner before they were given their awards.

Head judge Judith Coward, left, presents Elspeth Duncan with her award.

This year’s winner, Korie’s Kids, is an organisation which supports children diagnosed with cancer and their families and has empowered children since 2005.

For over seven years Christopher Dennis has run a youth coaching programme called Fools Can’t Surf, which motivates young people in Balandra and surrounding areas through sports.

Elspeth Duncan is a dedicated animal rescuer and animal welfare activist, who works in Tobago.

Angostura’s Michal Andrews presents Frank Edwards with his award.

Frank Edwards is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young people in the community for over a decade, while Donald McLean James provides free haircuts to those in need.

Angostura’s chairman Terrence Bharath told the audience, which included Minister of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon,, “It is wonderful to see the exceptional work being done by dedicated individuals and we would like to extend sincere appreciation to all those who sent in their nominations.”

Awardees and their friends and families were serenaded by Michelle Xavier during dinner.

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