INSPIRATIONAL people from across Wychavon have been celebrated at this year’s Community Recognition Awards.
The annual ceremony at Peopleton Village Hall recognised ‘community heroes’ who, in 2019, volunteered, coached or helped others and made the district a better place to live and work.
Wychavon’s judging panel read through all of the nominations and the inspirational stories in its search for those people who had done the most to help people of all ages improve their neighbourhood, club, society or community.
Ten-year-old Woody Wride from Evesham was honoured for the work he does raising money to help the rough sleepers of Worcestershire with the Young Volunteer Award.
Samantha Ellis won the Volunteer of the Year honour for her continuous voluntary work with events and activities held on the Westlands in Droitwich while the Spa’s Chris Andrews won the Sporting Hero award for his dedication for the last 40 years to Droitwich Boxing Club.
Pershore’s Sue Cosnett was honoured for her work on the town’s landmark War Horse Memorial Project and Evesham’s Dave Boucker scooped the Enabling Healthy Lives Award for the projects he runs at Evesham Adventure Playground.
The Arts Recognition Award was handed to Steven Ellis Cooper from Pershore for the amazing artwork he does as a blacksmith on such projects as the War Horse Memorial and the Golden Gates at Wood Norton Hall.
Caring staff at Badsey’s Freedom Day Centre won the Community Group Award for their work at the centre which provides a safe, warm, learning environment to adults with learning disabilities.
Roy Small from Drakes Broughton won the lifetime achievement award for more than four decades serving Drakes Broughton Parish Council and the village.
Coun Rob Adams, portfolio holder for Community, Engagement, Culture and Sport at Wychavon District Council, said: “Once again, it has been wonderful meeting the people who selflessly give up their time to help others and hearing their inspirational stories.
“The Community Recognition Awards are a great way of recognising the residents who do so much to make Wychavon an amazing place to live and work.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/recognitionaward for more.
