By Bejay Browne.
The 12th Hearts of Gold Cyprus Award winners for 2019 are finally announced.
The Hearts of Gold Cyprus Awards celebrate philanthropy, humanity, volunteering and caring and recognise both children and adults from all over the island.
Winners were due to be announced at a ceremony held in Paphos in January 2020, however, due to a medical emergency, followed by the coronavirus pandemic, they were delayed.
“The winners and nominees will be invited to a ceremony held for this year’s awards in 2021, when the restrictions permit. We are currently contacting them so this announcement may come as a surprise,” a spokesman for the awards informed the Paphos Post.
“We are saddened that we were not able to come together this year but very much look forward to meeting all of the nominees and winners next year. We should highlight all of the work that individuals have been doing in the community to help others. We can see how important volunteers and philanthropists are, as we couldn’t have got through these difficult times without them,” Charalambos Theopemptou, MP, Patron of the awards said.
Hearts of Gold Cyprus is held under the auspices of the municipality of Paphos and with the support of the British High Commission in Nicosia.
Members of the public are invited to nominate both children and adults that they believe deserve recognition for their efforts in the community, or a boost when facing challenges with fortitude and courage.
Here are the 2019 winners :
The winner of the Jasmitha Honorary Mention 2019 is, Gabriel Theodorou.
Gabriel saved a woman’s life last year at Sodap beach. He was very brave and risked his own life entering the rough sea to save her and is a great example to others.
The winner of the Jasmitha Award for Courage 2019 is Ali.
Ali, 23, fled from Isis terrorists, a horrific experience that has left him paralysed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. He has made many friends in Cyprus and plays basketball with Apop wheelchair basketball club.He has taught himself English and some Greek and wants to continue his studies.
The Junior Heart of Gold Honorary Mention 2019 goes to:
The Children of the Learning Refuge.
There are around 30 children that attend the Learning Refuge in Paphos. Many come from war torn countries and had to flee for their life. They are coping with tragedies and are from all different backgrounds and religions but all get on together like brothers and sisters. They are learning Greek and English so that they can go to school and are working hard to do that.
The Junior Heart of Gold Cyprus Award 2019 goes to:
The International School of Paphos Philanthropy Club.
The Philanthropy club of the International School of Paphos are aged 12-14 years and have help to raise 10,000 euros for Pasycaf. They volunteer during the holidays and organise visits to old peoples’ homes, animal shelters and other charitable foundations.
There are two Honorary Mentions for the Heart of Gold Cyprus award, 2019.
The first is: Dawn Foote.
Dawn is dedicated and hard working and has built a sanctuary in Tala for around 900 unwanted cats, taking them off the streets and giving them a great quality of life. She has re-homed more than 850 and receives no government funding.
The second is the: Dr. Yiota Demetriou Dancing Queen Foundation.
Founded as a tribute to Dr. Yiota Demetriou who wanted to help children in the field of child psychology. She was killed in tragic accident in November 2008, the result of a drunk driver. They raise funds and awareness for children with mental health challenges.
The winner of the 2019 Heart of Gold Cyprus Award is: Petros Stylianou.
Petros was diagnosed with stomach cancer about 8 years ago and given a 10% chance of survival. He started cycling and has not stopped. He participated in many marathons and cycling tours all over the world and his goal now is to raise money for an oncology centre in Paphos.
And the Heart of Gold 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorary Mention goes to : Hans-Jorg Wiedl.
Also known as Snake George, he is a snake and reptile expert that rediscovered the Cyprus grass snake and proved that the blunt nosed viper lays eggs and doesn’t give birth to live young. More recently he discovered a rare species of dwarf snake in Cyprus.
And the winner of the Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 is : Olga Sophocleous.
Olga is the founder and Chairman of KIVOTOS foundation which is a therapy and rehabilitation centre for children with special needs in Paphos. She is always on hand to help and support and has great empathy for the children and their families.
The awards are supported by Paphos municipality, the British High Commission, Aphrodite Jewellers, Yiota Ioannidou, Almyra Hotel, Massiva printers, the Cyprus Mail, The Paphos Post, In Focus films, Rock FM, Joulietta chocolatier and patisserie and Kamanterena winery.
Nominations for the 2020 awards will open soon.
For further information : www.heartsofgoldcyprus.com
Or Hearts of Gold Cyprus on Facebook
