Your address will show here +12 34 56 78
News

MNA gender pay statement 2021

By on

30th March 2022

- News

The MNA can confirm its gender pay gap results.

The results uploaded to the gov.uk website show that female staff receive an hourly rate which is, on average, 12.51% lower than male staff.

The MNA continues to promote equality and inclusion and remains committed to reducing the gender pay gap

To see the MNA’s GOV.UK website statement click here

To download the MNA statement PDF: click MNA gender pay gap 2021

I can confirm our data is accurate.

Graeme Clifford, Managing Director

The Midland News Association Ltd

0
Events

Cash For Your Community: How your tokens helped Josh find his own magic

By on

31st January 2018

- Events

Little Josh Home crawls across the floor, excitedly placing his hand on images beamed down from a machine above.
 
 As he forcibly splats the pictures, they disappear, only to reappear on another part of the floor, causing Josh to rush towards them.
Watching Josh energetically scrambling across the floor, it seems hard to believe that just a few years ago he was unable to even sit up in a chair unaided.
 
“Just before his second birthday we were told Josh would be in a vegetative state for much of his life,” says his father Matt.
 
“He can now walk about independently with the use of a walking aid,” adds mother Sarah.
 
Josh, now seven, who lives with his parents on the outskirts of Bridgnorth, is even able to play football with his friends. And this is thanks in no small part due to the work of The Movement Centre, in Gobowen, a pioneering charity which uses specialist therapies to help children with mobility problems.
 
The equipment Josh is using is known among staff as “the magic carpet”. The £10,000 machine, which has been bought with the help of our 2017 Cash For Your Community scheme, helps youngsters like Josh develop the use of their limbs by monitoring their movements and responding interactively.
 
Josh, who had suffered from brain scarring as a result of an metabolic condition, is one of the hundreds of youngsters who have seen their lives transformed by the Movement Centre, which provides a unique therapy system from its modest base in a portable building in the grounds of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt orthopaedic hospital.
 
“A lot of the children who come here will learn to walk during their time with us,” says head of fundraising, Victoria Handbury-Madin.
“It’s incredible when you see that.
 
“But we also have children here who have been unable to sit up without holding themselves each side, if they move one of their hands they fall over, which is obviously difficult for them as they can’t do anything.
 
“Some children who have attended the centre for nine to 12 months have gained head control, which enables them to interact with their family and friends, or have been able to sit unaided so that they can play.”All of the children who visit the charity have a disability, such as cerebral palsy, which affects their movement control. Targeted training helps children gain functional skills and independence, which can truly transform their lives.” She says the youngsters often defy the expectations of doctors with the way they respond to the treatments.
 
The Movement Centre was the biggest beneficiary of last year’s Cash For Your Community scheme, receiving £5,000 from the scheme run by the Shropshire Star in partnership with Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.
 
Victoria says she was amazed by the public response to the scheme, where charities are invited to collect tokens printed in the newspaper to win a share of a £20,000 dream fund.
 
“It was fantastic for us, it was a complete surprise,” she says.
“We had no idea we would be in the top three, we were just delighted to have been selected.  
“We have been a charity for quite a long time, but we had been quiet about it. 
 
“As well as getting the money, all the coverage in the Shropshire Star was really good, and it was lovely to meet the people from the other organisations.”
 
The charity was formed in 1996, and initially focused on the research and development of the new therapies.
“In the last few years we have seen a lot of children who are really benefitting from, but there are still a lot of people who haven’t heard of us.
 
“But now we are ready to grow and help more and more children.”
Victoria says she was humbled by the support the charity received from the community in Shropshire during last year’s Cash For Your Community Campaign, and will definitely be applying for this year’s scheme.
 
“We had many people writing in, some did not include a return address, but they said they had read about what we did in the Shropshire Star, and sent us their tokens,” says Victoria.
“It is really nice that so many people chose to support us.”
0
News

Stop the Speeders: Family paying ‘ultimate sentence’ after death of daughter

By on

31st January 2018

- News

The father of a teenager killed by a speeding driver has backed an Express & Star campaign for tougher sentences.

This newspaper launched the Stop the Speeders petition last week after reporting on two men jailed for less than eight years for each causing the death of a man by dangerous driving.

So far, the petition has more than 1,100 signatures. It calls for judges to put down longer sentences for killer drivers and will be sent to Prime Minister Theresa May.

The latest person to back it is Richard Evans, whose daughter Georgie Evans, a former pupil of Kinver High School, died when her car was hit by an Audi A6 driven by Kuba Oles.

The Polish immigrant was speeding along Priory Road in Dudley when it happened, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 24-year-old, of Beaconview Road, West Bromwich, fled the scene after the crash. He was later jailed for six years, after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The parents of Miss Evans, from Himley, could not attend the court hearing as they were still too upset, following the crash on October 27.

But today Mr Evans said: “We lost our daughter 27th October 2016 on Priory Road, Dudley, due to a driver speeding at nearly 100mph in a 30mph zone.

“He struck her car with such force it tore it in half. She hadn’t a prayer.

“The driver then made off from the scene and handed himself in 18 hours later – he was sentenced to six years imprisonment and probably will be out in four. We are paying the ultimate sentence. Enough is enough.” Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Oles was helped to the side of the road by passers-by but fled from the scene when their backs were turned.

He did not hand himself into the police until 18 hours later, making it impossible for him to be checked for drink and drugs.

He then tried to pass blame onto the victim, claiming she was inexperienced and had been travelling too slowly.

But these allegations were dismissed by the findings of the police investigation.

The crash took place at the junction of Cedar Road. Judge Challinor, who also banned Ole from driving for 14 years, said: “This was a prolonged, persistent and deliberate course of bad driving with reckless disregard for other road users.

“It was just a matter of time before your precipitative actions led to catastrophe. You pose a significant risk of causing serious harm through your driving.”

Figures from the Department of Transport show 54 people died on the roads in the West Midlands in the 12 months up to October 27.
0
Services

83-year-old salesman wins MNA Recruitment’s employee of the week

By on

29th January 2018

- Services

At the age of 83, you might be forgiven for wondering why Nick Heyhoe still has a full time job.
 
But the cheery salesman says he loves working at Heritage Glass Limited in Shrewsbury. So much so that he has just won Signal 107’s employee of the week competition, organised by a leading recruitment services firm.
 
Nick, who works at the double glazing and windows firm in Racecourse Crescent, Shrewsbury, was surprised by Signal 107 DJ Dicky Dodd. He phoned him on Friday to let him know he had won.
 
The dedicated salesman was awarded pizzas for 10 colleagues from Papa John’s and a red letter day experience. He was picked from a host of entrants as a winner in the competition, organised by MNA Recruitment.
 
Nick said: “I have worked at Heritage Glass for 17 years and I absolutely love working here.
 
“I am overwhelmed to have won employee of the week and it came as a huge surprise. It was great to have been given our pizzas and I thoroughly enjoy being here.”
 
Nick was nominated by colleague Tony Randall for being a true ambassador of the Heritage Glass brand.
 
Tony said: “Nick retired at 65 and decided to join us to enjoy his later years as he still had a lot to give. His late sister Dame Rachael Heyhoe Flint OBE DL had always been a workaholic which runs in the family.
 
“Now in his 83rd year, Nick has this month achieved £6million worth of retail sale in his time with us.
 
“As an age positive employer we pride ourselves in age diversity. We have a full support network to aid this age group in technology and procedures.”
 
The search for the employee of the week was staged as part of a promotional campaign for MNA Recruitment. The firm wanted to brighten the mood among the local workforce during the traditionally gloomy January period.
 
At a time of the year when many recruiters and candidates are looking at their options, MNA Recruitment is promoting their services.
 
Director of MNA Recruitment services Lee Smith said: “Nick is a fantastic winner and deserved recognition for his dedication to Heritage Glass Limited.
 
“At MNA Recruitment we wanted to honour a popular employee for their hard work and positive attitude, and Nick definitely fits that criteria.”
 
MNA Recruitment is part of the Midland News Association, the publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star.
0
News

Gavin Williamson: Section 40 backers want to kill off local press

By on

24th January 2018

- News

MPs and peers who vote in favour of tighter media regulations are guilty of attempting to kill off the local press, Gavin Williamson has said.
 
The Defence Secretary gave the stark warning after the House of Lords voted in favour of proceeding with part two of the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.
 
If enacted, legislation under Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 would require newspapers not signed up to an approved regulator to pay their own and their opponents’ legal costs in libel cases.
 
The only regulator currently recognised by the Press Recognition Panel (PRP) is Max Mosley’s Impress, which has signed up less than 100 publications – most of them small news websites and accompanying print editions.
 
Mr Williamson said today: “All Section 40 is going to do is destroy the local press and take away a local voice for so many people around the country.
 
“That is why it is vital we get rid of Section 40 and ensure we give local newspapers the opportunity to dig out the facts that need to be revealed.
 
“Anyone who voted for Section 40 is voting to get rid of their local newspaper.”
 
Theresa May has said the legislation ‘would undermine high-quality journalism and a free press’.
 
“I think it would particularly have a negative impact on local newspapers, which are an important underpinning of our democracy,” the Prime Minister added.
 
“I believe passionately in a free press. We want to have a free press that is able to hold politicians and others to account and we will certainly be looking to overturn this vote in the House of Commons.”
 
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has accused peers of attempting to restrict press freedom, describing their votes as a ‘hammer blow to the local press’.
 
But Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, the MP for West Bromwich East, has criticised their comments, accusing the Prime Minister of abandoning ‘all the promises made to victims after the hacking scandal was exposed’.
 
Leveson 2 would look into the relationship between the media and the police.
 
The Government is currently considering submissions to a consultation on whether to go ahead with Leveson 2 and Section 40.
0
Digital, Services

MNA Media launches new specialist search engine marketing agency

By on

22nd January 2018

- Digital, Services

Leading regional news publisher the Midland News Association (MNA) has launched a new digital agency to meet the demand for high quality search marketing services.
 
Specialist search engine marketing agency H1 Search has gone live to offer a range of support for businesses and organisations looking to grow their results from online searches through the likes of Google and Bing.
 
Named after the page header tag used in web language HTML, H1 Search will be set up to cater for clients wanting high volume pay-per-click (PPC) and search engine optimisation (SEO) services.
 
The agency will be focused on delivering data driven paid search campaigns for clients. Every member of staff that handles a client account has received accreditations from search giants Google and Bing.
 
The agency’s ethos is “to drive growth through collaboration, research and analysis”.
 
H1 Search is the latest business to be launched by MNA Digital, the online arm of the Midland News Association, publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star.
 
MNA Digital managing director Andy Hill said: “I am pleased to announce the launch of H1 Search, which we believe will quickly become established as a high-quality agency partner for customers looking for search marketing.
 
“We intend to work with clients across a wide range of stages in their digital output, whether it is a business with an exact idea of what they are looking for or a customer needing a little more guidance. 
 
“H1 Search will work closely with each client to understand their needs to craft an effective results-driven digital strategy. No matter what the objective, the H1 Search team of search specialists will aim to help.”
 
The H1 Search team have worked for a host of clients when they operated as part of the MNA Digital team, based in Wolverhampton. The MNA publishes the UK’s biggest regional newspaper the Express & Star and its sister paper the Shropshire Star, which is the UK’s eighth biggest.
 
To find out more information, go to: www.h1search.com
 
Contact: Rebecca Heyes, MNA communications executive, 01902 319448 or rebecca.heyes@expressandstar.co.uk
0
Services

Star Public Relations targets another successful year of growth

By on

22nd January 2018

- Services

A Midlands PR agency is building for future success after achieving a successful year of growth in 2017. 
 
Star Public Relations has begun its second year of trading by recruiting a new member of staff and landing another account. Katie Love, from Cannock, joins the agency, which operates out of Telford and Wolverhampton, with 12 years of PR experience working for a mix of local, regional and national clients.
 
As part of her varied role as PR consultant, Katie will manage client work, research and write press releases, features and other content, liaise with key media, as well as oversee social media accounts and help organise and manage events.
 
Katie’s appointment follows a successful first year during which the agency grew from having no clients or staff, to a team of three that supports half a dozen businesses and organisations in a variety of sectors, including housing, education and training, and retail.
 
The agency’s newest client is Glowstone Ltd, which uses the latest in smart and connected technology to optimise everyday products. Its flagship product is the Glowstone wirelessly heated smart mug. Star PR will support the company with new product launches.
 
Agency director Sundeep Sehijpal said: “It was 12 months ago that I walked into the empty Star PR office with no clients, no staff and no business plan. While there have been ups and downs, successes and disappointments, pressure and stress, it’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed it.
 
“Today, we have staff, clients, business plan, objectives and targets and I am looking forward to the next 12 months, which has begun with Katie join the team.
 
“Katie’s experience and background will make her a great addition to the business. She’s the type of person who is ready to get stuck in and help us deliver for our growing portfolio of clients, as well as support the agency as we target new business opportunities.”
 
Katie added: “I’m really excited to be joining Star PR. Even though it’s only been going for a year it’s already made a big impact with its clients. I think 2018 is going to be an exciting year and I’m really look forward to being part of the agency’s ongoing success.”
 
Star PR offers a wide range of services, including media relations, social media, event organisation and management, launches and openings, as well as content marketing, copywriting, public consultation, internal communications and stakeholder engagement. The agency is part of the Midland News Association, one of the UK’s largest independent regional media organisations and publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star newspapers.
 
Contact: Rebecca Heyes, MNA communications executive, 01902 319448 rebecca.heyes@expressandstar.co.uk
0
Services

NHS nurse thanks colleagues after winning MNA Recruitment’s employee of the week

By on

22nd January 2018

- Services

A ‘wonderful’ NHS nurse has thanked colleagues at Kidderminster Hospital & Treatment Centre after she won a local radio competition.
 
Deepa Raghavan won Signal 107’s employee of the week competition, organised by a leading recruitment services firm. 
 
Deepa, who works in the outpatients department at the hospital in Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, was surprised by Signal 107 DJ Dicky Dodd when he called her at work to let her know she had won.
 
She was awarded pizzas for 10 colleagues and a red letter day experience when she was picked from a host of entrants in the competition, organised by MNA Recruitment.
 
Deepa said: “I am really thankful to have won this competition. I would like to dedicate my award to the whole department as it is such a fantastic place to work.
 
“When I joined here two years ago I felt very welcome and I really enjoy working here. Thank you to my lovely colleagues for making every day brilliant.”
 
Deepa was nominated by colleague Maggie Davies for always putting her patients’ needs first and going above and beyond to make sure they are well cared for.
 
Maggie said: “Deepa is such a wonderful person and this radiates into her clinical work. She will go above and beyond to make sure her patients are well cared for and is a fantastic patient advocate, even in the face of adversity.
 
“She has a fabulous sense of humour, and it’s a constant pleasure to work alongside her; she makes every shift a joy.”
 
Deepa was presented with her winnings on Friday, along with the food delivery for her colleagues.
 
The search for the employee of the week was staged as part of a promotional campaign for MNA Recruitment, who wanted to brighten the mood among the local workforce during the traditionally gloomy January period.
 
At a time of the year when many recruiters and candidates are looking at their options, MNA Recruitment wanted to honour a popular employee as part of their promotion of their services.
 
Recruitment business development manager Tracey Thompson said: “Deepa is a very worthy winner and MNA Recruitment was so pleased to award her for her achievements.”
 
Signal 107 DJ Dicky Dodd said: “Deepa and her colleagues are a brilliant team and they thoroughly deserve this award.”
 
MNA Recruitment is part of the Midland News Association, the publisher of the Express & Star and Shropshire Star.
0
Events

The Great Big Thank You Awards: Inspirational unsung heroes honoured at glitzy ceremony

By on

19th January 2018

- Events

It was a night to celebrate those unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make our communities better, go that extra mile to help others or have succeeded against all odds.
 
Finalists, celebrities and sponsors all gathered to discover who our readers had chosen to receive one of the Express & Star’s Great Big Thank You Awards.
Hundreds of people attended the glittering awards ceremony in the WV1 Suite at Molineux to congratulate the finalists, including famous faces such as Slade’s Noddy Holder, Wolves legend Steve Bulland Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson – fresh from meeting Emmanuel Macron, the French President, earlier in the day.
 
The finalists and their friends and family were congratulated on their nominations by Wolverhampton Grand’s Jack and the Beanstalk panto stars Lisa Riley and Gareth Gates who had recorded a special video in their honour.



Compère for the night was Express & Star editor Keith Harrison who announced the winners and welcomed them onto the stage to accept their well-deserved trophies.
 
“These are people whose compassion, kind hearts and all round ‘bostin-ness’ means they help others and make the world a better place,” he said.
 
Meanwhile Black Country comic Doreen Tipton had the audience in stitches as she introduced the event, poking fun at the assorted celebrities and saying: “I’m no stranger to great achievements – over the years I’ve won my fair share of awards….which is none. But people here deserve a Great Big Thank You.”
 
The first winner on the night was Declan Flanagan who was named Teacher of the Year, sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council.
 
Declan, who works at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Wolverhampton, was presented with his trophy by the city’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Phil Page.
 
Mr Flanagan has been teaching for 25 years and is particularly passionate about inspiring children to enjoy mathematics.
 
Speaking about winning his award the 50-year-old father of two said: “It’s really lovely. I was a little bemused and a little confused when I was nominated but it’s brilliant to win the award.
“I’ve been teaching for 25 years and to hear I’m doing a good job is what every teacher wants to hear.
 
“I get up everyday and I’m excited about going to work, about seeing how the children are going to react to what they are learning and coming up with imaginative ideas to inspire them to have confidence in their ability.”
 
Owen Perks walked away with the Young Star Award, sponsored by Signal 107 and presented by station director Jane Davies ably assisted by rock music legend Noddy.
 
Twelve-year-old Owen has raised around £3,000 in the past 18 months through a series of charity events.
He had his head shaved in memory of Stephen Sutton, spent six hours sat in a box to experience what it was like to have a disability like his friend with cerebral palsy – and most recently completed a walk from Wolverhampton to Walsall to raise money for Tommy Brown who had his hands and legs amputated as a result of meningitis.
 
Owen said: “I kind of had a weird feeling in my stomach when they were reading the names out. I was hoping I would win but also thought that some of the others had done amazing things as well.
 
“It’s really amazing and I want to carry on doing more charity work in the future.”
 
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by the Express & Star, went to Pam Jackson, who runs the Busy Bees group at Wood Lane Community Centre in West Bromwich. Her award was handed over by the Express & Star’s circulation director Dean Barber, Hugh Porter and Anita Lonsborough.
 
Busy Bees aims to bring people together to socialise and prevent loneliness. The group which crochets, knits and sews special creations, boasts dozens of members.
 
After being presented with her prize the dedicated 70-year-old said it was a ‘brilliant’ feeling to know that people had voted for her.

 


Speaking about why she founded the group, Pam said: “It gives people the chance to get out, meet people, have a cup of tea and a natter.”
 
Community Champion sponsored by NatWest, went to Zara Sands from Willenhall.
 
She was presented with her prize by Alan Roberts, NatWest’s local CEO for Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and the Black Country – alongside Wolves hero Bully.
 
Four years ago Zara and her son found themselves in a hostel after she lost her home. But Zara has bounced back from that tough time in her life and is now helping other people who find themselves in challenging circumstances.
 
She runs community group Helping Hearts, which delivers hot food and clothes to homeless people in and around Wolverhampton.
 
Zara, 33, said: “I’m so happy because I’ve never won anything. I didn’t think I would get to this stage. I just wanted to help people and it’s amazing.
 
“Some of the people I’ve helped haven’t had a great start to life and I want to give them the chance they deserve. I want to do my best for those people.”
 
Fresh Start Award sponsored by whg was won by Sam Billingham. The prize was awarded by whg group chief executive Gary Fulford and MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds.
 
Sam has made it her mission to help as many other women, and also men, who have managed to get away from abusive partners.
 
The mother of one founded support group SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse) in April 2009.
 
Since then it has gone from strength to strength with the online community alone having 900 members from across the UK and worldwide.
 
The 37-year-old from Brierley Hill dedicated her award to her late mother Megan who died two years ago.
 
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. I was a finalist last year and I saw it as a way of raising awareness and promoting SODA.
 
“It means so much to have such fantastic support.”
 
“It’s been difficult to keep going at times but I have done so because of my daughter and my dad.
 
“I’m not going to give up with SODA,” she added.
 
Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by HomeServe was given to Tesco delivery driver Jagraj Poselay, from Walsall.
 
His award was presented by John Greaves, HomeServe’s brand director, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn.
 
Jag has helped raise more than £40,000 for good causes through scores of entertainment nights and shows.
 
The generous 47-year-old has also been mentoring young Owen Perks in the schoolboy’s own fundraising mission. Jag regularly works from 8am to 6pm – but can then be found helping out with fundraising activities until 10pm straight after work.
 
He said: “I feel amazing. It’s overwhelming really, I wasn’t prepared for this at all.
 
“Owen is absolutely amazing as well and I’ve been mentoring him for a while. I have won a few awards but this is the first time I’ve won one for fundraising.”
 
The Learner Award, sponsored by University of Wolverhampton went to star student Prayerna Nanavati who battled through illness while studying for her GCSEs last year.

 


Prayerna was given the award by Katharine Clough, the university’s director of external relations, and Megan Reece from The Voice.
 
Despite suffering from relentless abdominal pains, 16-year-old Prayerna achieved a raft of outstanding marks including a level 9 – the highest grade – in English literature.
 
With 11 GCSEs under her belt she is now studying for A-levels in English, French and Spanish at St Dominics Grammar School in Brewood with dreams of reading English at university and one day becoming a singer/songwriter.
 
She told the Express & Star that winning the award felt ‘really surreal’ adding: “thank you for voting for me whoever you are.”
 
Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre was won by Dicky Dodd, who received his prize from Vicky Price, the Grand’s associate director for development and communications, and Defence Secretary Mr Williamson.
 
Signal 107 breakfast presenter and content controller Dicky, who was born and bred in Wednesfield, is a proud champion of Wolverhampton – and has played a key role in organising numerous events in the city for years.

 
After winning the award he said: “I’m bowled over. I didn’t expect to win this really – I thought [Wolverhampton Marathon organiser] Mary Harding would win it. In my eyes she should’ve won it. I’m very pleased and really proud with what I’ve done and will continue to do for the city.
 
“But the city is nothing without the people. I’m just an ordinary guy doing a really amazing job, a dream job. If we can have more people being proud of our city, championing it and shouting about it to the rest of the world then that would be great.
 
“I think these awards put Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the West Midlands on the map – not just for the UK but the world.”
 
During the interval there was a performance by The Voice star Megan who took to the stage to sing two songs including one she dedicated to the finalists, saying: “This event really warms my heart.”
 
 
Defence Secretary Mr Williamson, who is the MP for South Staffordshire, paid tribute to the community champions recognised in the awards.
 
He said: “This was a wonderful celebration of the best of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country – the best of people and the very best they do to really make a difference.
 
“You can see the real passion they have for the places they have championed. It makes you realise how lucky we are to live in such a special part of the world.”
 
Noddy told the Express & Star he was delighted to return to his old stomping ground. He said: “I don’t get back to Wolverhampton very often but it’s always good when I do. When you’re brought up in the Midlands it’s in your DNA, it’s in your blood. As soon as you hear the Black Country accent it brings everything back.
 
“I think we often get overlooked compared to London, Manchester and Liverpool but it’s great to be here to celebrate the Black Country – we need to highlight all the good news from our unsung heroes.”


 
Prolific striker Bully said: “It’s great to celebrate these people who have achieved so much and have done so much good in their communities.
 
“It’s also nice to tell more people about what they are doing and it will hopefully inspire others to think ‘I can do that’ too.”
 
Cycling legend Hugh said: “I’m a proud Wulfrunian and a proud Black Country boy and it’s great to see people from around here who have done great things recognised.
 
“They deserve to be honoured even though they aren’t doing it for that reason.”
 
Olympic swimming gold medalist Anita added: “It’s lovely to be able to honour the unsung heroes from all different categories. These people work tremendously hard, don’t get paid and get a lot of satisfaction from what they do. It’s great to give them something back.”
 
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said: “I think it’s great that the Express & Star has organised these awards as a way of saying thank you to these community heroes, these people that give so much to their community and make them a better place for everyone.
 
“Their stories really are inspiring and I’m delighted that their efforts are being recognised in this way.
 
Britain’s Got Talent’s finalist Jean, who also attended last year’s awards ceremony, said: “I think anything that shows people that what they are doing hasn’t gone unnoticed and is appreciated is a good thing.”
 
Deputy Mayor Councillor Page added: “There are a lot of fantastic people who really deserve some recognition for what they are doing. We’ve also got some very talented young people and it’s nice that they too are being recognised. For me it shows that Wolverhampton is a fantastic place to live, work and raise a family.”
0