LocaL Hero awards

carer OF the Year

Sponsor: Bluebird Care

Winner: Oswestry St John Ambulance All Services Unit

The Oswestry Life Local Heroes Awards honour and celebrate the person or persons, who are and have been making significant contributions to our community, through their time, actions, talents and dedication. These awards are to celebrate the amazing things that local residents of all ages have done or are still doing to help make Oswestry a better and safer place to work and live.

The awards are to put the feel good factor back into Oswestry and show how as a local community we continue to support one another and rise up against challenges.

We would like to thank all the businesses that have kindly supported the magazine by sponsoring an award, therefore joining us in celebrating all the wonderful people, businesses and community groups that Oswestry has!

Special thanks also to The Flower Gallery and Niche Patisserie.

Outstanding achievement

Sponsor: Griffiths Hire Shops

Winner: Matt Walker

Nomination from Sandra Foskett

In June 2022, Matt Walker took a World Cup win in downhill mountain biking at Leeogang, Austria. His dedication to the sport is faultless with training every day throughout the winter to take part in each round of the World Cup. He then travels all over the World during the summer months.

Fundraiser OF the Year

Sponsor: Hadleigh Works Charity

Winner: William Worthing

Nomination from Samantha Chadwick

Otherwise known as Lenny, William has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for multiple local charities including Hope House. Many will recognise him dressed up as a Minion, but he also undertakes huge tasks such as his recent wing walk, in order to raise vital funds for charity.

Nomination from Brad Pritchard

The Oswestry unit provides a community first response team supporting West Midlands Ambulance Service on 999 calls, often arriving before the NHS crew and providing intermediate life support. It has a thriving cadet group, many of whom are inspired to take up healthcare professions and the unit’s first aid demonstrations teach basic life saving techniques to the public. The team are present at events, providing vital first aid and ambulance cover for local events such as the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon, Shrewsbury Flower Show and Daripack Mountain Bike challenge. All the volunteers from the youngest at 10 years old to the oldest at 74, are passionate about saving lives and supporting communities and give up so much of their spare time to serve others.

neighbOur OF the Year

Sponsor: Oswald’s Cars

Winner: Crafty Knitters

Nomination from Beth Evans

Local residents Angie and Barry Mills with ‘Crafty Knitters’ group, successfully fundraised for a new defibrillator for the local residents to be fitted on the lamp post at the end of Hampton Rise next to the footpath to High Fawr Avenue. The Henry Angell James Memorial Trust has kindly donated the defibrillator and the money raised by the Crafty Knitters and kind donations from the public will be spent on the installation and maintenance of it. We are sure you will agree that the team really deserve the neighbour of the year award for continuously supporting the people of Oswestry.

custOmer service award

Sponsor: Oswestry BID

Winner: Shaun Hill

Nomination from Kayla

Oswalds Cars always go above and beyond for their customers. One night, I didn’t finish work until 3am but they made sure they came and collected me, even though I’d only called them 10 minutes before, just so I wasn’t walking on my own.

Nhs Hero

Sponsor: Dre Accountants

Winner: Elaine Richardson

Nomination from Oswestry Life Magazine

Cancer nurse Elaine Richardson, works at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, based in the Montgomery Unit. Elaine spends a lot of her personal time fundraising for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity which supports the patients on the unit. By fundraising for the charity, she also raises awareness which helps attract much needed donations.

Special Recognition

Sponsor: Oswestry Town Council

Winner: Karen Curly Rogers

Nomination from Lisa Griffiths

Curly has spent her adult life teaching the children of Oswestry and surrounding areas how to swim. Her love for the job and character has meant thousands of children have trusted, enjoyed and learnt a key skill. Everyone in Oswestry knows Curly, and she surely deserves some recognition for her hard work.

Volunteer Of The Year

Sponsor: Friends at the RJAH

Winner: Louise Harding

Nomination from Rachel Adams

Louise has been involved with girl guiding for many years, running the Oswestry Guide unit and was the District Commissioner for 7 years. During Covid, Louise kept the girls engaged through zoom meetings and when the Brownie leader retired, she took over, running the local Brownie unit to ensure the girls could continue. This December she is stepping down from the Guide unit to focus on Brownies. She gives up so much of her time and has helped so many girls to flourish. Louise truly deserves to be recognised as an awesome volunteer giving so much back to the community and encouraging girls to learn and grow in a fun environment. Many of the skills gained by the girls, help prepare them for their future. Thank you, Louise.

Bravery Award

Sponsor: Tanat Valley & Light Railway

Winner: Joseph (Joey) Edwards

Nomination from Danielle Edwards

Young Joey is 4 years old and has had health problems since he was born, having been in and out of hospital. But he has never lost his smile – it’s so bright and he lifts everyone he meets. He knows going to the hospital normally means something bad, but he is so brave and wipes away his tears with a smile and says thank you to every health professional he meets. He has now expressed he wants to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital to help other children and we have started that process with a musical show. There is no doubt in my mind that he really is an inspiration to everyone that meets him.

Young Volunteer Award

Sponsor: Oswestry Museum

Winner: Connect For Life Young Volunteers

Nomination from Alison

Connect For Life is privileged to have young people volunteering with them whilst also working/studying. They bring skills and talents to the team and wonderful caring attitudes and enthusiasm. Intergenerational interaction for people with dementia has proved to be so beneficial and adds something very special to the day support sessions. It gives the service users great pleasure and opportunities to connect with different ages and volunteers say they gain so much and love interacting with the group members.

Sportsperson Award

Sponsor: Adrenaline Sporting Events

Winner: Julian Morgan-Ayres

Nomination from Steven Lewis

I don’t think there is anyone more deserving for this award than Julian. Just this year alone (in running) he has clocked up an almighty 4172.5km over 424 hours and 54 minutes. He successfully completed the Dragons Back Ultra in September and has also completed several marathons too. Julian is an inspiration, and as a new runner myself, makes me believe that anything is possible with determination, grit and a brilliant attitude to boot.

Inspirational Young Person

Sponsor: Oswestry Rotary Club

Winner: Theo Lewis-Prior

Nomination from Amy Pollard

Theo has gone above and beyond this past year to raise vital funds for another pupil at Woodside School. His absolute devotion and generosity have helped someone receive the treatment they desperately required. He is truly an inspiration to all generations.