Brave police shortlisted for award
TWO brave police officers who risked their own lives to save a woman from a burning building are among those to have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
The St David Awards, which were inaugurated in 2014, recognise the achievements of people and organisations throughout Wales.
Among the 24 nominees in eight categories are PC Christopher Bluck and PC Rhys Edwards, from South Wales Police.
They are nominated after they dragged a woman to safety from a fire in a property in Bridgend and having no regard for their own safety in the process.
After being called to the scene in March last year, the two officers noticed smoke was coming from under a bedroom door. Forcing entry, they found the woman had set the room and herself on fire and was holding a gun.
But they managed to pull the woman out of the property and drove her to hospital. The weapon was later discovered to have been a BB gun.
The duo also won the force’s exceptional bravery award last year for their actions.
The finalists were unveiled at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay last Thursday by First Minister Carwyn Jones in eight award categories: bravery; citizenship; culture; enterprise; innovation, science and technology; international; sport; and young person.
Video games director Dai Banner, managing director of Pencoed-based Wales Interactive, was also on the shortlist in the enterprise category.
He has been shortlisted for having been “instrumental in the growth of the Wales’ game industry”, having founded the annual Wales Games Show back in 2012. He also launched a digital development project at the University of South Wales which has seen hundreds of students benefit.
First Minister Mr Jones said: “The St David Awards, now in their fourth year, are all about celebrating people who have gone the extra mile to make a difference to someone else’s life, overcome adversity or achieved something truly inspirational.
“Once again, the St David Awards finalists are an exceptional group of people. Every single one is a credit to Wales – it is going to be tough to choose the winners.”