Trainee reporter wins Leanne Gibbons Memorial Award (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Trainee reporter wins Leanne Gibbons Memorial Award

7:00am Saturday 28th January 2012 in News

A TALENTED reporter was left lost for words after he was presented with the Leanne Gibbons Memorial Award 2012 for most promising trainee this week.

Daniel Milligan covers news for the Somerset County Gazette, and news and sport for the Bridgwater Mercury and Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News.

The 22-year-old, who originally comes from Morecambe, Lancashire, joined the paper in July, 2011, after graduating from Staffordshire University with a first class honours in BA Hons Journalism.

He said: “It’s a massive honour to receive the award and a complete shock.

“I’ve loved every moment so far and I thank the company for giving me the opportunity to impress in the first place.”

Newsquest Somerset editor Alex Cameron said Daniel had settled comfortably into all aspects of life at the paper.

He added: “His enthusiasm and drive have shone through, and he has shown a willingness to turn his hand to anything, from the most straightforward picture story to sensitive human interest stories.

“Despite not being from the area originally, Dan has settled into Taunton life, and built up a network of contacts in both the news and sport arenas.

“His flexibility in covering news and sport has meant his byline is just as likely to appear in the news sections of our papers as it is on the back pages.

“He has made a fantastic and exemplary start – long may it continue.”

Pete Leydon, Journalism Award Leader at Staffordshire University, said: “I’m delighted for Dan – he deserves the recognition.

“He produced some first rate journalism during his degree, passed all his NCTJ qualifications on the course at the first attempt, and displayed a rare all-round ability in covering news, sport and specialist areas to a professional standard.

“This award doesn’t come as a surprise to me, but it’s still really pleasing to see our top journalism graduates like Dan go on to excel in their field.”

Leanne Gibbons, 23, died in 2005 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after developing pancreatitis.

She had been carving out an exciting career as a journalist at the Somerset County Gazette in Taunton, where she worked on sister title the Mid Devon Star.

Her death stunned colleagues, and Leanne’s parents, Cedric and Lesley, decided they wanted their daughter’s memory to live on.