Chair John Mallaghan Wins Award
John with Link Friends at Hurst Bowls Club
Congratulations to our Chair of Trustees, John Mallaghan!
John is one of the first winners of this year’s Mayor’s Honour Awards, which were selected by Borough Mayor Cllr Adrian Mather.
The awards recognise everyday heroes and are open to adults, children, young people, and community groups that work, live, study, or provide services in Wokingham Borough.
Each winning individual receives a lapel badge and a certificate, while group winners receive a shield and certificate.
The first round of nominations for this year’s awards ended at the beginning of September, and Cllr Mather selected four winners with the help of Deputy Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell.
Cllr Mather said: “It was a pleasure to go through the nominations. These awards shine a light on residents who often don’t seek credit for what they do but very much deserve to be celebrated. It makes it hard to select just a handful of winners, and we would really love to say just how much we appreciate every contribution that makes our borough a better place to live.
“The examples of kindness, bravery and dedication demonstrated in these nominations makes me very proud to be the mayor and I look forward to reading more fantastic stories when the next two rounds of nominations close. Please consider putting someone forward for their act of everyday heroism.”
John is one of three people to be recognised in the adult category. He has volunteered with The Link Visiting Scheme since 2014, enthusiastically engaging in additional projects, fundraising and serving as a trustee.
Well done, John!
John skydiving to raise vital funds for The Link Visiting Scheme
About John
After a long career with large global corporations and 15 years as an independent management consultant helping local and central government, I felt retirement was an opportunity to give something back. Social isolation was the area I wanted to help – and in late 2013, I discovered a tiny local charity with just that focus! I started volunteering for The Link in early 2014, and it’s been a real joy to watch the charity grow, helping where I could along the way, becoming a trustee in 2018 and now chairing the trustee team.
It is a privilege to be a part of such a fantastic local charity helping so many of the most vulnerable play an active part in the community again. I am passionate about helping The Link transform lives through friendship. As chair, that means ensuring staff are fully supported and that trustees represent the charity effectively in the community. I love actively helping with our services, visiting my two Link Friends, and just seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter this great charity spreads around the community.