The presenters

Meet the presenters

THE show got on the road again with familiar faces taking to the stage adding fun to the whole event.

Mel Bloor from ITV and BBC’s Matt Allwright, both from Reading, brought some levity to the proceedings but appropriate gravity as some of the sadder tales unfolded.

Andy Jones, BBC Radio Berkshire’s presenter, provided the ‘Voice of God’ announcements throughout the afternoon.

Ady Williams, former Reading FC captain and Radio Berkshire sports broadcaster, announced the winner of the Inspiration Award.

And People’s Postcode Ambassador Judie McCourt interviewed nominees and sponsors on the red carpet before the awards.

She was joined by Charlie Kristensen, a former Child of Courage award winner, and awards patron Danyl Johnson. Mel Bloor

Having grown up in Reading, Mel has worked as a journalist in the area for more than 19 years.

Mel’s first job was in radio, reading the news on 2-Ten FM (now Heart Thames Valley).

For the last 12 years, she has worked as a reporter for ITV News.

Mel has covered some of Berkshire’s biggest stories, reporting on anything from royal weddings and women’s sport to crime and mental health.

@MelBloorITV

Matt Allwright

Matt has been fighting people’s corners as a journalist for the last 30 years.

The local lad ended up at the BBC via Manchester, Tokyo and Southampton.

He’s worked on Watchdog, Rogue Traders, Housing Enforcers and the One Show alongside a huge number of other projects on TV, radio, and in print.

He’s always been a Reading boy at heart, and is a devoted patron of the town’s homelessness prevention charity Launchpad, as well as many other charities.

He’s proud to be supporting the Pride of Reading Awards, and always looks forward to honouring and celebrating his hometown. Ady Williams

Ady was born in Reading and captained the town’s football team for many years so knows how many incredibly gifted and hard working people there are in Reading, and the hard work they do for so many wonderful charities and great causes.

He says it is always an emotional day at Pride of Reading but one he always feel blessed to be part of.

@willow1871

Andy Jones

Andy is a presenter and newsreader on BBC Radio Berkshire.

On and off, he’s been presenting radio shows in Reading for nearly 20 years for stations like Reading 107, JACK fm Berkshire and Heart Thames Valley.

You may have also heard him on stations like LBC, Capital and Classic FM.

@AndyDavidJones

Judie McCourt

Judie is a former radio and TV presenter and an Ambassador for People’s Postcode Lottery.

She was a presenter for TFM Radio and Tyne Tees Television.

Judie now works as a People’s Postcode Lottery Street Prize presenter, touring the country as winning cheques land in the different postcodes.

As part of her role, she also gets to lend her support to great charity projects.

Judie is the face of the red carpet, interviewing nominees and winners at the Animal Heroes Award, the Pride of Britain Awards and now the Pride of Reading Awards.

@Judie_McCourt