Best of Bilston Awards celebrate inspirational residents
Inspirational people from Bilston have received recognition at an awards ceremony.
The Best of Bilston Awards, held at the Ormiston SWB Academy, celebrated people in the town – with 18 people being given awards.
Noah Bailey-Maloney, 11, won the Inspirational Young Person Award. He had a tumour in his spine and went to America for treatment, which he is now recovering from.
The youngster said: "I've had a really fun night and it feels great to have won."
Jean Hill, 71, won the won the Volunteer Award with John Mumford and was part of the Lower Bradley Community Centre which was also rewarded, said: "It was such a surprise to win. I'm really pleased, it's so nice to give my ladies who help at the community centre some recognition for their years of hard work and voluntary service."
Sharon, who has terminal cancer, hasn't deterred her from fundraising for others – which has won her the Overcoming Adversity award.
The 48 year old has taken part in a sponsored car wash, firewalk and motorcycling – which has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
She said: "I really didn't expect the award, I still can't believe that I've won."
The mayor and mayoress of Wolverhampton attended the award ceremony, along with councillors, police officers and community figures.
Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Page said: "The Best of Bilston (BoB) awards recognise locals who are making a real difference in the community.
"I'm thrilled that there has been an overwhelming response and I'm pleased that the people of Bilston are being recognised for their efforts."
The event was coordinated and put together by Simon Archer, HeadStart Steering Group committee member, and Manjit Cheema, HeadStart Community Development Coordinator.
Sun Kaur, from the Moby Shop, who won the Community Business Award, said: "It's been such a fantastic night, it's just wonderful to see how the community are making such a great impact to people's lives. It is important that we call continue to be a blanket of humanity to the most needy."
The night hosted by Jason Forrest from WCR FM.
HeadStart Mini-Ambassadors, who had run a Dragons' Den initiative to offer funding to five groups national lottery funding, held a presentation with funding officers from the National Lottery Community Fund attending.
Cheques totalling £4,418 were handed out to five Bilston groups.
