CELEBRATIONS Community heroes honoured at Making a Difference Awards

PUBLIC-SPIRITED workers are celebrating after being recognised for their efforts to protect elderly people from speeding traffic.

Cherylin Pryor, a police community support officer, and Shelley Bird, who works for Age Connects Morgannwg, were finalists in the community project category at the Wales and West Housing’s (WWH) annual Making a Difference Awards.

Jan Bridgeman, scheme manager at the Llys Ben Bowen Thomas home in Ystrad, nominated them for launching a road safety campaign to tackle the big problem facing elderly residents at the retirement centres in Ystrad and Pentre.

According to WWH, there had been several near-misses on the main road near Llys Ben Bowen Thomas and Llys Nazareth when cars failed to stop for elderly and disabled residents on zebra and pelican crossings.

It meant residents were afraid to cross the road to the shops or bus stops, and felt isolated.

Now in their ninth year, the awards are open to the 20,000 Welsh WWH residents, and celebrate good neighbours, local community heroes, environmental and community projects and those who have made changes to their lives.

Elsewhere Christine Voyle, Terry Govier and Christine Hipkiss, of Mountain Ash, were finalists in the good neighbour category.

They made a difference to the social lives of their neighbours at the Llys Yr Onnen retirement scheme by organising social activities and Christmas lunch for those people living alone.

Andrew Evans, 60, from Llys Ben Bowen, was a finalist in the “fresh start” category for the way he did not let his bipolar disorder stop him from volunteering in the community.

Anne Hinchey, chief executive of Wales and West Housing, said: “The MAD Awards are our way of recognising the strength and community spirit of our residents.

“Each year I am inspired and moved by the stories of kindness and selflessness.

“It’s humbling to know we have people living in our communities who make a real difference to the lives of those around them.

“To see the continued success of our Rhondda Cynon Taff residents at these awards, showing such fantastic displays of community spirit, is amazing and we look forward to our 10th awards next year.”

Paul Gibson, of Gibson Specialist Technical Services, sponsors of the main event, said: “All the finalists have gone that extra mile to make a difference in their communities.”