PACE Manningtree wins prestigious BBC Make a Difference Award

PACE (Practical Actions for Climate and Environment) Manningtree was formed in April 2019 after Sarah Smith, from Mistley, went on Facebook to see if anyone else in the community wanted to discuss what could be done to combat climate change.

More than 50 people responded, and the youngest of the volunteers, aged just 12, came up with a ‘stick man’ design for PACE’s logo.

On Thursday, five years after its launched, the charity has won the Green Category at BBC Essex’s Make a Difference Awards

PACE chairman of trustees John Hall said: “Awards are interesting - you never know how they will work.

“There were four in the green category, including Manningtree Mermaids, so it was very good that two of them were from Manningtree.

"It is very nice recognition for the volunteers and for the other finalists as well.”

Active - John Hall chairman of PACE Manningtree monitoring water quality at the River Stour (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Hall said the group came together due to concerns about the changing climate and the loss of biodiversity, with members meeting in Manningtree's Red Lion pub, which soon turned into more formal meetings.

A launch party held in early 2020, before the pandemic, attracted 120 people which demonstrated there was a lot of community support.

PACE, which now has 120 volunteers and hundreds of social media members, was also shortlisted for the King’s Award this year and is equivalent to an MBE - the highest award given to voluntary organisations in the UK.

The King's Award will be decided in November, again looking at the charity’s 20 ongoing projects, which include river monitoring, tree planting and educating children.

Mr hall added: “Four of our volunteers went to the awards in Hatfield Peverel and they are an example of the unique experiences and specialisms we harness at PACE”.