COMMUNITY spirit was celebrated in an awards presentation last week.

‘Attitude Of Gratitude’ campaigner, Manuela Wahnon, celebrated the positivity found throughout the town by giving out awards on Friday, October 5 in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Guests in attendance included previous winners and Test Valley Mayors past and present Cllr Carl Borg Neil, Cllr Karen Hamilton, current mayor Cllr Ian Carr and Mrs Dorothy Page, wife of Cllr Brain Page.

Being recognised was Thoryn Gittos, who said: “I was the latest recipient of the Attitude of Gratitude award recognised by Manuela whilst we waded through a river cleaning up any litter and other strange objects we could collect up; as you can imagine there was all sorts.

“Manuela has told me she was taken back by my leadership and positive attitude on the day and that is why I was put forward.

“The reason I always take up the opportunity to take part in this specific charity day through my work at Simplyhealth is all because of when Manuela came into my secondary school Harrow Way 10 years ago, changing my opinion of the town I live in. From that day the mentality was embedded into me that you can’t complain about where you are from if you, yourself are not willing to do anything to change it.

“I was overwhelmed by the whole event and think that Manuela is such a wonderful, selfless women.

“To even to have been able to share the day with such a kind soul was a big enough pleasure as it was.”