At the 2009 Pride of Andover Awards our very own Steven Burbidge was the winner in the Community Champion category.

The award was recognition of Steven's efforts in fundraising for The Gateway Club of Andover, part of the Mencap. Steven was nominated by Mrs Bowsher of The Gateway Club

Steven has been a strong supporter of The Gateway Club for adults with learning difficulties for many years through fundraising as well as offering practical help and friendship.

His nominator, Mrs Bowsher, said: "He has supported the club I run, which has 60 members, for a great many years.

"The members love him all. He is great fun on our outings and doesn't mind helping in any capacity.

"He is an outstandingly nice person."

Steven wasn't able to attend the award ceremony but a very proud Fletcher (Steven's youngest daughter) accepted the award on his behalf from Esther Rantzen.

In July I received a letter from a friend asking if I would be interested in sponsoring his effort to get to the STARTLINE of The PARIS to DAKAR Rally. www.dakardiary.com

This was the least I could do after the help he gave to me when I fell ill in Marocco after a trip to the fringes of the Sahara Desert.

So the Bakery helped in a small way with the entry fee along with a company called C.D WOW and others.

One picture shows Chris and myself at his send off at London Motorcyles and the other on the START LINE of the Rally in Clermont-Ferrand 350 miles South of Paris

The Bakery Logo made it around 4 stages with Chris on the bike, he has managed to raise a large amount of money and also has scared himself silly a few hundred times.