SOME of Cornwall's most remarkable individuals over the age of 60 were honoured at a special recognition ceremony held at County Hall in Truro on Thursday [April 16].

Launched in January, the 60 Over 60 campaign aimed to shine a light on people across Cornwall who are embracing healthy, active ageing and inspiring others to do the same.

It’s part of Cornwall’s work to becoming an Age Friendly Community, an initiative set out by the World Health Organisation to help people stay active and connected, promoting better health and reducing dependence on urgent interventions.

The response from communities across Cornwall was overwhelming, with an independent panel of judges receiving more than 220 nominations nominees ranging in age from 60 to 103.

There were 12 categories: Lifetime Community Champion, Volunteer of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Creative Contributor, Health and Wellbeing Advocate, Environmental Hero, Sports Inspiration, Neighbourhood Supporter, Business Leader, Cultural Ambassador, Charity Fundraiser and Unsung Hero.

Finalists were recognised for things such as from keeping communities active through yoga, cycling and sea swimming, to bringing people together through song and dance, to simply being the quiet, steady "glue" that holds a neighbourhood together.

Carol Richardson, 80, from Bude was named Volunteer of the Year. Her work over the years has included being a listener for the Samaritans, a telephone befriender for the Age UK Silver Line helpline, making deliveries for Bude’s library service and helping at the town’s dementia memory café.

“I’m surprised and delighted to be here with all these wonderful people,” she said. “I get so much pleasure from doing what I do. I meet people and chat, and it’s so nice when they go home smiling – I look forward to it.”

Cym Downing from Tregadillet was named Health and Wellbeing Advocate for her tireless work with Launceston Memory Café. She was nominated by its attendees, including Alan Callcut who said: “Cym does so much for everyone. She helped me enormously when my wife was ill, and was a great support when I lost her.”

Chris Whitworth, 61, a semi-retired GP from St Agnes, was highly commended in the Health and Wellbeing Advocate category for his voluntary input into a wellbeing hub at Mount Hawke. “Hearing about all the incredible things people have done, you feel quite honoured to be included among them,” he said. “I’m just doing my job, and it’s lovely to think people appreciate that.”

Paul Caruana from Truro was named an Age-Friendly Ambassador in the Cultural category. “It’s great to see so many people over 60 getting involved – I don’t understand why anyone with good health and something between their ears wouldn’t volunteer. It saves me from boredom.”

Cornwall Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, Cllr Jim McKenna, said: “This campaign exists to say thank you to those people who so often give without expectation of recognition. Our finalists were all here because someone in their community saw what they do and thought: that person deserves to be celebrated.

“It was very difficult to narrow it down to just 60 people, as everyone nominated went above and beyond in their daily lives to stay active, healthy and support others.”