The News Portsmouth's We Can Do It! Awards

AND THE WINNER IS...

There were our very own Colin Langdown, Peter Childs and Emily Marshman at the We Can Do It Awards Ceremony, all gussied up and waiting in anticipation to find out who had won.

It was just like the Oscars!

The We Can Do It campaign is run by The News to make sure that every week good news in the area is recognised and reported.  They then pick six winners from each of the 10 We Can Do It categories to go forward to their Awards Ceremony every November which is held at The Guildhall in Portsmouth. 

This year it was a night to remember.  It was compered by DJ Mark Collins and over 400 people were treated to a lively performance from X Factor runners up, the local-grown Same Difference, and the talented blues guitarist, 15 year old Zach Fielder.  During the course of the evening, the overall winner of each category was presented with a distinctive glass commemorative plaque by the sponsor of their class. 

Because of our innovative partnership with Riders Junior School in Leigh Park, CIA were nominated for the Best Business Category - a business or employee who brightens up customers’s lives.

We have always had close links with Riders; in fact, it was the first school ever to be fitted with a monitored CIA intruder and fire alarm.  So when John Dean, the headmaster, wanted to reward achievement but didn’t have the funds to do so, he hit upon the idea of seeking a business partner to fund the awards - something that had never been done by a Junior School before - and CIA was more than happy to step in. 

So in March 2005, CIA and Riders signed a groundbreaking formal partnership agreement in the presence of Havant’s MP, David Willetts, the then Mayor of Havant, Councillor Mrs June Fulcher, and other dignitaries. 

Since then, the relationship has flourished.  CIA as a company is committed to education and training so are delighted to support the good work John Dean, the Governors, the staff and parents are doing to raise standards and achievement of the pupils of Riders.  We are able to give help, advice and some financial commitment to the school generally but for the children, the highlight is the annual achievement award itself which is a half hour helicopter flight over Portsmouth in a Squirrel B3 helicopter.

CIA was up against the likes of The Kings Theatre in Southsea, Key Recruitment in Portsmouth, Gosport’s AJ’s Plaice (a fish and chip shop), The Heron pub in Leigh Park and the Magic Attic Toy Shop, also in Portmsouth, all of whom had impressed the judges with their contribution to their local communities.

And the winner was…

CIA!!