THE champions who make a positive contribution to their community in Herefordshire have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

The Herefordshire Community Champions were named at an awards evening last week at Hereford Town Hall.

Seven-time Paralympic gold medallist Sascha Kindred gave an inspiring speech about his time as a Paralympian.

Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, presented the awards to the winners.

Anne Smithells was named as The Sustainability Champion. She has been drawing the community together to restore and transform the green spaces in Leominster. Enlisting a team of volunteers she has transformed the Knot garden and the 1½ acre garden at Grange court.

The Bromyard Downs Association and Marden Primary Academy School were runners-up.

For the Apprentice of the Year Aaron King took first place. At the age of 16, he started work by washing dishes at the Temple Bar Inn at Ewyas Harold, which is a 2AA Rosette restaurant.

It wasn’t long before he was stepping in to help with the preparation and serving of dishes. He is now a full time apprentice studying Level 2 Apprenticeship in professional cookery.

Liberty Perry and Jordan Powis were runners-up.

Tilly Lawson won Youth Champion. Her mum picked up the award for her as she is in Costa Rica. She was recognised for her charitable projects within Herefordshire and Kenya. In particular, during Tilly’s gap year, she used her own savings on a trip to Kenya to undertake six months service in an orphanage.

The Wellbeing Ambassadors and Phoebe Crook were runners-up.

Pam Guiver was named as Volunteer of the Year for her 40 years of voluntary work with the Girl Guides. If it wasn’t for her hard work, the guiding provision in Bromyard for girls aged 10 to 18 years would just not happen. Kington Tourist Group and Hereford Canoe Centre were runners-up.

Caring Champion was given to Sonya Cary who, aided by her partner Nigel, is the driver behind the social enterprise scheme based at the post office in Pontrilas. Sonya, along with Nigel, have thrown themselves into the scheme to provide support and friendship for their community with the dementia café project. Jilly French and Netty Neil, and Jan Elliott were runners-up.

The winners were chosen by three judges, Brian Wilcox, chairman of Herefordshire Council, Mary Thompson, managing director at Cargill Meats Europe, and Peter John, editor of the Hereford Times.

Cllr Wilcox said he set up the awards last year to thank the people who make such a difference to their own community and who work to help others.

He thanked Cargill for providing sponsorship, including paying for the awards meal, and Tanners for providing the welcome drinks.

He also thanked the Hereford Times for their coverage and support. The winner of each category received £500. Paul Deneen was master of ceremonies at the awards evening.