Events

Our county’s unsung heroes were presented with a Great Big Thank You at a prestigious awards ceremony organised by the Shropshire Star.

The winners of nine different categories – voted for by you our readers – were presented with their awards over afternoon tea at Hadley Park House Hotel in Telford on Thursday.

It was an emotionally charged event as the guests were told tales about courage, kindness and selfless devotion to their communities by the winners.

Each winner was presented with a trophy hand made by the British Ironwork Centre at Oswestry, which had been donated free of charge.

And the winners are:
Sarah Copeland – Outstanding Bravery Award: Sarah donated a kidney to her mother-in-law Stephanie Copeland, transforming her life

Kim Fawke – Ambassador of the Year: Kim is the driving force behind the Telford Park Run, which brings hundreds together each week

John & Christine Greenhalgh – Community Champion: Stalwarts of Age UK.They are both former trustees and have run a day centre

West Mercia Search & Rescue – Volunteer of the Year: For its work searching the River Severn in the event of missing people who may have fallen in.

Edd & Ruth Lowe – Fundraiser of the Year: Pub landlords who have raised thousands for the military charity Help for Heroes

Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre – Environmental Champion: For the tireless work carried out by volunteers in rescuing sick animals

McKenzie Smith – Young Star Award: McKenzie has overcome cerebral palsy to play wheelchair football, tennis and basketball

Eileen Walton – Grandparent of the Year: A cancer patient who has raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan to help others

Cheri Williams – Carer Award: Looks after two grandchildren and suffers health problems but still has time to run community groups and raise money for charity

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright, who hosted the proceedings, said the event had been one of the highlights of the year.

“It is always humbling to hear the stories of such special people who play such a valuable role in making our community a better place,” he said.

“We have heard some truly remarkable stories of bravery, kindness and sheer hard work from the unsung heroes of our county, and it has been a privilege to meet these wonderful people.”

The winners were chosen by a public vote of readers, after a shortlist of 27 was printed in the paper in July.

Mr Wright added that while there could only be one winner from each category, everybody who had made the final 27 could be justifiably be proud of what they had achieved.

The first award went to Edd and Ruth Lowe, who took the Fundraiser of the Year title, sponsored by Denso. The couple, who keep The Plough Inn at Wellington, have raised a staggering £125,000 for forces charities since they took over the pub 10 years ago.

Every year the couple host a Heroes Day, which attracts more than 1,000 visitors, and raises funds to provide support for ex-servicemen. It is a subject dear to Edd’s heart, as he served with the Light Infantry.

Wayne Gethings, from sponsor Shire Living, presented the Grandparent of the Year award to Eileen Walton.

After being diagnosed with cancer, 76-year-old Eileen from Brookside, Telford, decided to use her experience to help others.

Instead of waiting for her hair to fall out due to chemotherapy, she opted to have it shaved off in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Her grandson Ben paid tribute to her, saying: “We’re so proud of her and the fact that she is fighting this and being positive.”

The Volunteer of the Year title, sponsored by Choices, was won by West Mercia Search and Rescue, a voluntary organisation which tries to locate missing people whose lives may be in danger.

The team’s Matt Weaver and James Gitttins were presented with the trophy from Jim Dickson of Choices.

The organisation received no fewer than three nominations. One of these came from Kirsty Walsh, whose husband Shane tragically drowned in the River Severn following a night out in the town.

Kirsty praised the volunteers for the work they did in recovering Shane’s body.

“They retrieved his body from the River Severn in a dignified and respectful manner,” she said.

“Without them I would not have been able to say goodbye to my husband. They don’t talk about what they do, so don’t get the recognition they deserve.”

The Environmental Champion Award, also sponsored by Denso, went to Cuan Wildlife Rescue based in Much Wenlock.

The charity runs a purpose-built hospital to treat sick and injured wildlife before returning it to its natural habitat.

It is the only wildlife centre in the country providing a round-the-clock service, and more than 2,500 animals will come through its doors over the course of a year.

Ian Trennan from Denso presented the award to Sean and Anna Nicholas, who now run the centre.

Mark Lewis, owner of Hadley Park House, presented Sarah Copeland from Ketley, Telford, with the Outstanding Bravery award after donating a kidney to her mother-in-law.

Stephanie, 63, from Donnington, said she was in no doubt that the transplant had saved her life.

“I have had kidney problems for years, but just over two years ago it got very serious, and I was on dialysis all the time,” said Stephanie.

“Three members of my family got checked out, but it was Sarah who was a match and she saved my life.”

The Community Champion award, presented by Francis Best of sponsor Wrekin Housing Trust, went to husband and wife John and Christine Greenhalgh.

They were nominated by Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin chief executive Heather Osborne, who told how they had supported dozens of older people in the village of Shawbury.“They have supported dozens of older people in the village to live independently and have a happier old age,” she said.

“They also worked tirelessly to support a number of individual older people in their village.

“They never stinted from rolling up their sleeves to do whatever was needed to help the charity in its mission of supporting local older people, from cakes and fundraising to setting us up as a registered company.

“Their contribution has been immeasurable, and the charity would not be where it is without them.”

They have both also served as trustees of Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin.

Cheri Williams from the Ellerdine area of Telford, took the carer award, after being nominated by neighbour Michael Smith.

He told how Cheri was the legal guardian of her two grandchildren, one of whom has serious health problems.

Michael added: “She also has health problems of her own, however she volunteers to clean the village hall for which she is an ardent committee member.

He said Cheri also ran regular errands, helping at least two elderly residents, as well as doing part time work.

“She is also a prolific fundraiser for Blood Bikes in Shropshire and Staffordshire, “ he added. “A good egg.”

Cheri, who has also volunteered as a dog walker with the Hilbrae dog rescue charity, was presented with her well-deserved award from Nigel Downs of sponsor Choices.

One of the most touching moments was the presentation of the Young Star Award to 12-year-old McKenzie Smith, from Shrewsbury.

The ceremony heard how despite being afflicted by cerebral palsy since birth, McKenzie’s disability had not stopped him from indulging in his passion for sport.

Before receiving life-changing surgery in 2016, McKenzie was unable to walk without the aid of a frame.

But his mother Emily said her son had astounded doctors with his recovery following the nine-hour operation.

“He had surgery to lower his kneecaps, tighten his calf muscles and they broke his hips to reset them,” she said. “After that he had to learn to walk again, and they said it would take him at least two years before he would be able to walk. Within a year he was running.”

He now plays wheelchair tennis, football and basketball.

McKenzie smiled broadly when presented with his trophy, and Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright remarked: “Your mum says you always have a smile on your face.”

He was presented with his award by Vicky Price of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, which sponsored the category.

The final category, Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by the Shropshire Star, went to Kim Fawke for her work promoting the Telford Park Run.

The audience was told how Kim had helped hundreds of people get off their sofas to exercise.

Her son Nathan said she was an asset to the community, with more than 500 people who would normally still be in bed on a Saturday morning taking part in the weekly run.