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.

Events

Both of Shropshire’s A&E departments have struggled because of a lack of trained staff provided to them, according to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn, who grew up in the county, also called on health bosses to think about the future when they make a final decision on where the county’s hospital services should be located.
It comes as the public consultation on Future Fit reaches the half-way stage.

The process aims to decide where hospital services should be located in the county, with health bosses recommending that a single emergency centre should be based at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Mr Corbyn said: “It has always been an issue – access to A&E in rural areas – and it is always going to be an issue. With travelling times and distances, ambulances are crucial therefore. The two A&Es are vitally important. Both have struggled because a lack of trained staff, which have not been provided for them.
“Health is usually discussed around A&Es in hospitals, which is understandable. But one of the biggest issues in hospitals is the lack of social care, numbers of older people who could and should be released from hospital but can’t be. The other one is mental health. The lack of beds for people with mental health conditions when they need them urgently is simply a disaster.

“There is a big demand, an ageing population in Shrewsbury and the Welsh border area, and a growing population in Telford. Think to the future, not just today.”

Mr Corbyn was speaking to the Shropshire Star after a tour around Telford manufacturer Protolabs yesterday.
He was joined by Katrina Gilman, who will stand for Labour in Telford for the next general election. She said: “How is the ambulance service going to cope when they have longer journeys? GP services and mental health services are really overstretched. If we look after people’s mental health it is amazing to see how much better their physical health is. It has to be about all the other services being able to fit together.

“We have to have a debate about A&Es and the mother and baby unit. The mother and baby unit was built here for a very good reason. The A&E linked with that has to give people access to services. We have also got to improve those services so people don’t find themselves having to go to A&E in the first place. Future Fit is not it.”

Events

Budding young inventors have been hard at work as part of the MNA Stem Challenge 2018.

Teams have been tasked with working together to design and manufacture a product to improve or enhance the quality of life for a group or person that they consider to be disadvantaged.

In total, about two dozen schools from Shropshire, Staffordshire and the Black Country are taking part in the challenge launched by the MNA, publishers of the Shropshire Star and Express & Star, to promote the importance of the key Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects.

The teams of six pupils, who have been each given a business mentor, will need to demonstrate their product or prototype as a working model at a presentation event at Dudley College of Technology, the challenge’s main sponsor, on July 5.

As part of their research, pupils from Telford Park School and their mentor Joe Dawes from Veolia visited The Lyneal Trust,near Ellesmere, a charity offering canal boat holiday for people with disabilities and their family, friends and carers. They are building a steering tiller for the charity’s adapted canal boats which cater for disabled people.

Their visit involved finding out more about customers’ needs and a short ride on the canal boats to test some designs and theories. Engineer Mr Dawes said: “The children all had ago actually driving the boat to understand first hand how their product would benefit users.

“It was a fun day in the sun for all and the Lyneal Trust are excited to see if the pupils can come up with a final product they can use.”
Meanwhile students from Telford Langley School along with science teacher Staci Rutherford and mentor Lee Drummond, director of teaching and learning at Telford based Cadcoe, were given a tour of the manufacturing facilities at the University of Wolverhampton’s Telford Innovation Campus. Ms Rutherford said the project was going well and event had been useful for giving them ideas

The teams will be judged according to four criteria on July 5– Best Work Plan, sponsored by Entrust; Best Team Work, sponsored by Kuka; Best Operating Model, sponsored by Denso; and Best Presentation, sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton

Events

A charity that helps save lives by transporting vital medical supplies to doctors and hospitals around the county is £5,000 better off thanks to this year’s Cash For Your Community giveaway.

Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes was the biggest beneficiary of this year’s £20,000 giveaway, organised once more by the Shropshire Star and our partners at Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.

A total of £20,000 was dished out to good causes across Shropshire and Mid Wales, with the money being shared between 30 groups ranging from children’s charities to groups that support the elderly. Many of the groups took part for the first time this year.

The money was allocated according to which groups could collect the most tokens printed in the Shropshire Star.

The Blood Bikes, a team of volunteers who give up their time to deliver life-saving blood and other medical supplies by motorcycle, collected the £5,000 top prize after collecting a superb 8,411 tokens.

The charity, which was formed four years ago, will use the money to improve its coverage of North Shropshire by setting up a base at a fire station. The money will be used to provide a secure shed to keep a bike.

In second place was The Severn Centre Trust, which will use its £2,000 windfall for the latest phase in the restoration of the open-air swimming pool at Highley.

Duty manager Jody Pietragallo said the cash would help turn the old “learner pool”, which has not been used for many years, into a modern “splash pad” for young children.

The Harry Johnson Trust, which came third, received £1,000, which will be used to provide support for children being treated for cancer and their families

In fourth place was Telford & Wrekin Parkinsons Support Group, which took £940.77 which it will use to provide life-saving physiotherapy and speech therapy.

In fifth place came Guide Dogs for the Blind Shrewsbury, which received a shade under £800.

Hope House Children’s Hospices received £765.03, which it will use to provide support for the families of children who die suddenly.

The Shifnal and Albrighton Live at Home scheme received a cheque for £734.78 which it will use to create a new weekly chair-based exercise class for the elderly.

Ludlow and District Beekeeper’s Association received £706.85.

The registered charity has recently secured the lease on a building which will be used for the breeding of native honey bees, and also in educating people about their importance.

Willey Cricket Club, which took third place last year, took £646.21, while Wellington Cottage Care Trust, which came second last year, took £632.94 this time around.

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright said he was delighted that so many groups were once more able to benefit from the scheme.

He said: “Once more it highlights the fantastic work people do in our community.

“The efforts that people have gone to in order to collect the tokens and help their chosen charities is also heartwarming.

“It just goes to show the strength of community spirit in our county.

“I truly hope this money will make a real difference to the excellent work these groups do.”

Danny Glynn, managing director of Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, said the company prides itself on building close links within the communities it operates in.

“It is our absolute pleasure and privilege to once again support local groups through the Cash For Your Community initiative in conjunction with our friends at the Shropshire Star,” he said.

“It is always exciting to discuss future plans with each year’s charities and good causes at the presentation day, and fantastic to see the work they have done with their well-deserved winnings in the following months.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the groups who submitted applications this year and also thank all of those who collected tokens for their chosen cause.

“It is inspirational to see the work that is done on our doorstep by so many of you.”

Full list of winners: How the cash was shared
Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes £5,000.
The Severn Centre Trust Ltd £2,000.
The Harry Johnson Trust £1,000.
Telford & Wrekin Parkinsons Support Group £940.77
Guide Dogs Shrewsbury £797.58
Hope House Children’s Hospices £765.03
Shifnal and Albrighton Live at Home £734.78
Ludlow & District Beekeepers Association £706.85
Willey Cricket Club £646.21
Wellington Cottage Care Trust £632.94
Cuan Wildlife Rescue £615.04
The Friendly Transport Service £586.81
Severn Hospice £542.83
Motor Neurone Disease Association Shropshire Branch £519.53
Diabetes UK Shrewsbury Kids Group £451.02
RABI £443.92
The Movement Centre £415.53
Anstice Community Trust £413.68
Our Heroes (The Plough Inn, Wellington) £393.31
The Walled Garden Project at Nursery Fields £385.44
1st Monkmoor Scout Group £268.33
The Little Theatre Donnington £254.91
Shropshire Disability Network £230.68
Sport and Arts in the Community (Sparc) £219.26
Bright Star Boxing Academy £216.18
The Living Room At Woodside £202.44
Broseley Youth Club £189.48
South Shropshire Gymnastics Club £181.30
Brownlow Community Centre £158.78
Stay £87.33

Events

The Express & Star’s chief photographer has been recognised at a top industry awards ceremony.

Tim Thursfield was highly commended in the Daily/Sunday photographer of the year category at the Regional Press Awards.

One of the images Tim entered was a portrait of Theresa May.

He said: “To be highly commended in a competition with so many strong photographers and entries throughout the country is an honour.

“It’s great that in an age of mobile phone photography, the skill and ability of professional photographers is still recognised as a talent.”

Simon Hill, who is group head of editorial art for the Express & Star’s publisher Midland News Association, was also nominated in the designer of the year category.

The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and journalist Nick Ferrari at the IET: Savoy Place, in London, on Friday afternoon.

Events

MARK SIMMONS’ life was changed forever when he was involved in a horrific accident aged just seven – but his love of Wolves helped him on the road to recovery.
Mark’s devotion to the club and his remarkable recovery earned him the title of Express & Star fan of the season, writes Jamie Brassington.

The 45-year-old, from Kingswinford, was presented with the award at Wolves’ glitzy end-of-season awards night held in Telford this week.
He said: “It was a fantastic night. I got to meet the players and manager and former stars like Steve Bull and Don Goodman.
“It is a privilege and honour to receive this award. There are so many Wolves fans out there.”

Mark goes to see Wolves every home game and also some away matches, and is looking forward to being in the Premier League next year.
He used to go with his father John, 77, to watch Wolves matches when he was a child.
But when he was seven he was involved in the tragic accident that dramatically changed his life.

His mother Gill, 78, said: “When he was seven he took some money out of his money box and wanted some sweets.
“And I told him he couldn’t have them until after tea. And he just went out the house and he was knocked down and involved in a major road accident.”
Mark was rushed to hospital where he underwent a life-saving operation before going into a coma and was left paralysed down his left-hand side.
He suffered a blood clot, a broken femur and the optic nerve to his left eye was severed, meaning he couldn’t open it.

Mark said: “I don’t remember a lot about it. I broke my arm, my leg, my femur, I had a stroke, lost all my use down my left hand-side.
“I fractured my skull, had to have a blood clot removed. I had serious head injuries. I had five operations on my left eye which I can’t look up or down. I was in a coma.”

The accident meant Mark had to learn basic life skills like walking and talking once again. Gill said: “When he came out of the coma, he was unable to speak, he was unable to walk. Everything had to be learnt again and to do that needs some determination. The doctor and nurses were absolutely tremendous. The hardest feeling was having to learn to walk and talk again. He has always been very determined and I think his love of the Wolves has brought him through.”

Gill didn’t leave Mark’s bedside for 14 weeks. While at the hospital he was inundated with get-well cards, scarves and memorabilia.
Almost all of his cards from his friends were Wolves related and they had all drawn Wolves pictures on them.
On the day that he was discharged from the Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge some Wolves players went along to visit him after being contacted by Mark’s friends.
But unfortunately they missed Mark as he had already left.

Gill said: “One of his friends contacted Wolves to see if any of the team could visit him.
“It was unfortunate that the day he was discharged from hospital after 14 weeks, some of the players went to see him and he missed them.”
However, it was arranged a few months down the line for him to be a mascot and lead the team on to the pitch, after his parents contacted Wolves.

Mark said: “My mum and dad wrote to the Wolves. To have the chance to be a mascot, it was Saturday on March 8, 1986. It was a privilege to lead out the team.”
Mark has made a good recovery over the years into his adult life – and following Wolves has helped him along the way.
The accident did not stop him following Wolves but instead increased his passion for his favourite football team.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Mark was overwhelmed with joy at receiving the accolade but was left very surprised, and humbly said ‘why me?’.
He added: “This season has been the best ever and long may success continue for everyone associated with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I was very surprised with getting the award, definitely. I was nervous as well to be truthful. I thought why me?
“It is a privilege and very kind of everybody who has done it, it is lovely.”

His parents Gill and John said the award would mean the world to Mark.
Gill said: “It is very important to Mark. I think he will gain a lot of confidence from it and it will give him a lot of pleasure, something that he will always remember all his life.”

Mark described this past season as the best one he had ever witnessed.
He said: “Wolves is my life, it is an important part of it. This season has been the best ever and long may continue for everyone associated with Wolverhampton Wanderers.”