COMMUNITY heroes from across Bromsgrove district were celebrated during a special ceremony last week.

The event was well-attended by community groups, along with representatives from West Mercia Police, the Safer Bromsgrove Group, and Bromsgrove District Council’s Community Safety team.

The awards were debuted this year to celebrate those in the community going above and beyond to combat anti-social behaviour and the negative impacts it can have.

The categories and winners

There were four categories: Youth Award, Communities Award, Business Award, and Extra Mile Award.

Winners included Mark Eastwood and Mark Goddard in the Business category while the Youth award was presented to Kay Parker from Woodrush Youth and Community Centre. Reach Out Bromsgrove (pictured above) and Kayleigh Fitzgerald were also commended for their achievements.

The Community Heroes in the Community category was Catshill Community Club. The Respect Mentors and Louise Smith from BDHT (pictured at top) were also recognised for all they have done in the community.

The Extra Mile Community Hero Award was presented to Kristy Pascoe (above) for her work on the Bromsgrove Schools’ Police Panel, with an additional Special Recognition award being extended to the Bromsgrove Street Pastors.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Councils’ head of community and housing services, Judith Willis, said reducing anti-social behaviour and the impacts it has on communities was a really important mission for those gathered on the evening.

“It was a real privilege to be able to see the people behind the excellent initiatives that the Community Heroes Awards celebrated and to be able to give them the recognition they deserve,” she added

Bromsgrove District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services and community safety, Coun Peter Whittaker, said: “I want to extend a massive congratulations to all those nominated for awards and an additional well done to those who were crowned winners.

“Everyone showed incredible devotion to the cause of reducing anti-social behaviour.”

The team received more than 80 nominations across the four categories in the Bromsgrove area.

Judith added: “I was delighted by the number of nominations that were submitted in response to the creation of these awards.

“I extend my thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination to recognise someone in their community and the hard work they are putting in every day.”

Visit bromsgrove.gov.uk/communityheroawards for more on the awards and the winners.