Louis Goldberg Award
The Louis Goldberg Award recognises the outstanding work and achievements of Phab's young people and is awarded in memory of the late Louis Goldberg, a devoted supporter of Phab. It is presented annually to a young person of 25 or under.
2009 Winner – Allan Maher, St Alban's Junior Phab Club
A very worthy winner of this award, Allan became involved with St Albans Junior Phab club six years ago, whilst working at a local special needs school. He was already doing a huge amount of voluntary work and learnt sign language so that he could communicate and support the hearing impaired children at the school. After joining the Phab group as a volunteer helper on trips he took on greater responsibilities and joined the management committee. He then helped to plan and run the residential trips and organised other day activities always with consideration for all abilities and needs.
In 2005 Allan was unanimously elected Chairman of St Albans Junior Phab Club - only the fourth in the club’s 35 year history. Since then club membership and activities have greatly increased, the club has never been more financially stable and over the past 3 years Allan has personally raised over £24,000 through applications to trusts and local companies.
At the same time he has completed his degree in teaching, created a resource pack for schools to help them teach their pupils how to respect and appreciate the differences in ability of those around them, become a Special Needs Advisor to the Scouts in Luton, raised money to purchase equipment to allow children with disabilities to access water activities, and organised water activity days. And finally, he has begun a career in teaching at a local primary school.