Danny Lawrence receives a British Citizen Award

Danny Lawrence, from Gateway 97.8, has received the British Citizen Award for Community for his outstanding contributions to community radio across the UK at a presentation ceremony at the Chalmondeley Room and Terrace at the House of Lords, in Westminster.

Danny, who is a Director at Gateway 97.8, has progressed training schemes in media and has helped develop radio units, as well as setting up an approved centre – which has attracted new funding from the National Lottery. The has helped his team deliver radio courses at Gateway 97.8

Over the last two years, he has set up the Radio Hub project, which networks community radio stations across the UK. It shares best practice, runs training workshops, and what started as a local South East project has now grown nationwide. This has had funding from Ofcom.

Danny has said: “I am delighted that the Gateway team are able to train more people in media and we now have employed members of staff to do the on a bigger scale than ever before. I am also delighted that funding has helped us to make Gateway 97.8 a great training ground. Both myself, and fellow Director, Ros Connors, are over the moon that projects inside Gateway like the Radio Club benefit from our courses.”

“I am very proud of the Radio Hub and it will continue to be on the road, visiting places across the UK. I am also delighted to be heading up as Chair of the Community Media Association to help grassroots radio stations across the UK, with direct talks with government and the regulator – Ofcom, as well as many projects for the coming year”

“But most of all, this award I share with my team, my friends and all the people that make training and changing lives happen”

Danny is currently Deputy Mayor of Basildon and a Borough councillor too.

“I’m delighted for Danny”, said Basildon Council Leader Andrew Baggott. “The Work Danny does with Gateway 97.8, and with the Radio Hub, results in tremendous benefit for many, many young people here in our borough, and across the country, providing them with a foot in the door of broadcasting, nurturing their skills and building their confidence. He is a credit to the borough.”

Danny would like to thank listeners and friends of Gateway who have congratulated him for his award. Gateway will continue providing opportunities for the people of Basildon and East Thurrock.