Local heroes receive awards
Courageous and committed, 10 West Midlands heroes have been honoured at a dazzling ceremony.
Courageous and committed, 10 West Midlands heroes have been honoured at a dazzling ceremony.
Tears flowed at the annual Express & Star Local Heroes Awards held at Molineux.
The awards, now in their second year, are sponsored by Birmingham Midshires and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
War hero Michelle Norris, who saved the life of her commanding officer in Iraq, was given an ovation as she accepted her award and spoke of the dramatic rescue.
The Wolves-mad soldier, from Amblecote, aged 19, met many of her Molineux heroes during the lunch.
She said: "I can't explain the feeling of all this. I didn't do it to get a medal or award, I was just doing my job. The feeling of all this attention is just completely overwhelming.
"I still love my job, it is what I have always wanted to do, and I would do the same thing again."
Michelle was presented with her award by Wolves favourite Rob Edwards.
Among the other winners was young burns victim Anton Turner and 12-year-old car crash victim Sam Hubble, who have been an inspiration to their family and friends after continuing to smile and carry on with their lives despite suffering horrific injuries.
Pc Geoff King who was shot in the line of duty in Wolverhampton, and a Staffordshire rope rescue team who saved the lives of two teenagers, were also among those honoured.
Carl Chinn, who compered the event, said: "These awards are about highlighting those people who have shown great strength and bravery in the face of adversity or tragedy, or made an outstanding contribution to their community.
"It was a wonderful event - really emotional - and a real privilege to meet some really fantastic people."
Mark Drew, chief news editor of the Express & Star, said: "It is the stories of real people that make the Express & Star what it is.
"In a world with so much gloom it is great to be able to honour the local heroes who contribute so much and make the West Midlands a better place to live for the rest of us."
Read the full coverage in the Express & Star
