Recognition award pays tribute to the late David Gosling

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16: A Special Recognition Award was created in memory of the late David Gosling at the Caron Bermuda Community Serve Awards Breakfast.

Gosling, the brother of Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling, was honoured for his contributions both personally and professionally, in understanding and overcoming addiction.

Chit Chat Farms (now known as Caron US Treatment Centres, where he was a certified counsellor, played a significant role in his addiction and recovery training.

Gosling later provided a service along with Sarah White and through the growth of Transitions — a private counselling agency that continues to serve Bermuda.

Gosling was also a guest writer of a weekly column in the Mid Ocean News focussing on recovery and addiction.

Caron Bermuda said of the award: “This is a long overdue recognition for an individual who, through his work and service, created a pathway for many Bermuda residents to experience the joys of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. There have been many words to describe the character of David, which include  compassion, courage, conviction, perseverance, and quality service to others, to name a few.

“In recognition of the many hallmarks of his character, we award his family, the Gosling family, this very special recognition award in memory of their beloved David and his many gifts to Bermuda.

 “In the years to follow, Caron Bermuda will identify this award as the David Gosling Award and present it to an individual, serving in our community, who possesses the qualities that David taught us through his service to recovery.”

Charles Gosling collected the award on behalf of his brother at the Breakfast Awards at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess earlier this month.

Caron hosted the awards for more than 180 guests honouriing seven individuals and companies for their outstanding community activism and leadership in fighting the battle against addiction. The recipients of athe awards were as follows: Caron Assan Addiction Professional Award — Shirley PLace; Community Leadership Award — PartnerRE; Human Serives Award —Belco; Education Excellence Award — Marilyn (Peggy) Jackson; Unsung Hero Award: Donna Trott; Spirituality Award — Rosemary Phillips; Alumni Award — Ian Bridges.

“Our 2011 Community Service Award recipients have truly made a difference in the lives of those who struggle with the disease of addiction,” said Gita Blakeney-Saltus, regional vice president of Caron Bermuda.