Celebrations!

Over 150 certificates were handed out to Gateway 97.8 volunteers, work placements and students last night, from the Essex Arts Awards, to media qualifications, NCFE and Jack Petchey certificates.

Lord Petre and The Mayor of Basildon handed out the awards to a packed Eastgate audience.

The evening was sponsored by The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside where Gateway director Danny Lawrence is president.

Gateway has helped local people get into full time work, helped excluded school students and offers alternative education and works with Job centre plus Seetec and local schools.

One work placement even lives in the USA with family in the UK and has kept his connections with Gateway 97.8.

The Gateway Roadshow team, presenters, engineers, school students and the unemployed all came to celebrate the achievements of so many.
Disabled volunteer Charles Peck picked up his certificate and said “Gateway has changed my life.”
Local policeman Sgt. Paul Costin and Essex Fire & Rescue employee Martin Trevillion both picked up awards for their broadcasting work with the station. Marc Grayston of Maru Karate Kai also picked up a community award for his work in the community and recent outside broadcasts.

Martyn Dolton from the Yellow Advertiser picked up an award for three years of weekly paper review at the station.