Unsung borough heroes honoured at awards ceremony (From Stourbridge News)

Unsung borough heroes honoured at awards ceremony

10:51am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News

UNSUNG heroes from around the borough of Dudley have been honoured for their voluntary contributions to the community.

Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) hosted their 2012 awards ceremony at Brierley Hill Civic Hall for people and organisations who work in a wide variety of projects from playgroups to drug rehabilitation.

A total of 69 volunteers or voluntary groups were awarded certificates in recognition of their service while eight top award winners were presented with hand made glass trophies designed by students from Glasshouse College in Stourbridge.

Andy Gray, Dudley CVS chief officer, said: “The theme for Dudley Volunteer Awards this year was lighting up the community and it has been truly humbling to celebrate with so many inspirational volunteers who do just that”.

The big winners from the Stourbridge area were the Thomas Pocklington Volunteers from Oldswinford who collected a Highly Commended Community Action Award for supporting visually impaired people; Sandra Emery, from Brierley Hill, who received the main Health and Wellbeing Award for working with disabled people; the Recovery in Progress Team (RIPT) at Atlantic House in Lye, who support 800 people coping with substance abuse issues and Carl Bingham from Brierley Hill, who collected a Highly Commended Sporting Champion for his work with Amblecote Cricket Club.

The top Sporting Champion award went to Bob Hickman, secretary of Halas Hawkes Junior Football Club. who play in the Stourbridge league, and president and treasurer at Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club.

A Highly Commended Long Service Award went to Brockmoor resident James Hough for passing his work as a leader with children’s activity organisation the Woodcraft Folk.