Three community heroes have been singled out for national recognition this Christmas to celebrate their inspirational work across all corners of the UK.
Kerry Robinson, Jack Moore and Joseph Wilson have all gone above and beyond in their local communities and helped blaze a trail across fields including animal welfare, aviation and music.
The talented trio were all awarded an innovative Amazon ‘Dream Box’ worth £1,500 as a personalised prize to thank them for their commitment to good causes.
The initiative was masterminded by Amazon, who have been recognising employees in its UK operations network for the exceptional work they deliver for customers throughout the year.
Robinson, Moore and Wilson all work for Amazon and alongside their great work for the company, they are also making outstanding contributions to their local communities by volunteering their time, raising funds and using their unique skills and talents for the benefit of the community.
Robinson, who originally hails from Neath in South Wales but now lives in Huddersfield, works as a receptionist at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Wakefield.
She has volunteered for 25 years at a variety of animal welfare charities across the UK, most recently becoming involved with Hope Pastures, a horse, pony and donkey sanctuary in Leeds where she volunteers every Saturday morning.
Robinson’s love for ensuring the rehabilitation of animals was noted by her colleagues, making her the first winner of a 2022 Amazon Star – a rewards programme to recognise the Amazon heroes going the extra mile for others – award.
And speaking on her work with Hope Pastures, Robinson, 47, said: “I started supporting Hope Pastures by buying the second-hand items the charity was selling online to raise money.
“As I’ve got four horses of my own, I appreciate the cost that goes into looking after them and I wouldn’t want ours to be left without anyone to look after them. I don’t do things for any gratitude or rewards, so winning an Amazon Star award is just amazing.”
This year, hundreds of employees at Amazon nominated colleagues who have done great work inside and outside of Amazon for a chance to win one of three Amazon Star awards, telling inspiring stories of employees working to meet the needs of colleagues, customers and communities.
And the winner of Amazon’s second Star award was Moore, a shift manager at Amazon’s delivery station in Birmingham who completes aerobatic flight challenges to raise money for charities in his local area.
Moore, an ex-airline pilot, takes young people with a passion for flying on adventure flights over Birmingham to inspire them to fulfil their potential and encourage them to follow their dreams of becoming pilots.
The 21-year-old said: “Many years ago, aviation was a closed-off industry, but I hope that through my charity work we can open it up and make careers in aviation possible for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“I want them to believe that they can succeed at whatever they set their minds to – because they can!“
The third and final winner of an Amazon Star award was Wilson, a team lead at the company’s fulfilment centre in Dartford.
Wilson is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the drums, bass guitar and piano and every year he uses his gifts to mentor and encourage young, emerging artists who have the talent to write and play music but lack the financial means to pursue a career in the industry.
Wilson also organises Church Play, a mentor-led workshop for young people with musical talent.
The event takes place annually and involves musical experts and professional musicians mentoring young people with musical ambition, encouraging them to not only follow their passions, but also finish school and develop as people.
Wilson, 32, said: “Music is everything to me; when I play, I am home.
“One young man I’ve worked with for some time, who’s a great drummer, recently got to play a show with me at the O2 in London.
“Getting to watch him to do what he loves was such a joy – that’s what motivates me.”
John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, added: “The Amazon Stars initiative was first conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic to celebrate our employees who go above and beyond to help others in their communities.
“We received such an overwhelming response of incredible stories about employees who use their special talents and passions to help others, that we were delighted to keep the programme going.
“It’s heart-warming to see so many employees taking the time to nominate their colleagues, and friends, and for everyone to come together and celebrate those that have been nominated for the grand-prize.
“The variety of inspirational stories this programme has unearthed is astounding, from children’s sports coaches and animal lovers, to blood donors, pilots and musicians.
“I am extremely proud and grateful to have such passionate and dedicated colleagues who go the extra mile to do the right thing and help others.”
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