Community heroes are honoured

JUDGES have considered the entries for the Devon Community Honours and are delighted to announce their decision.

Nominated by the public and our journalists, the people being honoured come from all walks of life, all ages, and from all over Devon. Here is the Devon Community Honours List; we will have more on our heroes over the next few weeks.

ARMED FORCES AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Snow Heroes of the NHS Amazing acts of kindness, determination and courage shone through during the challenging conditions brought by the Beast of the East from our fantastic NHS nursing staff.

Sgt Lee Langley

Lee Langley is the neighbourhood sergeant for Brixham, he has been tackling drug-related crime in the area.

CARING COMMUNITIES CHAMPION

Carole & Kiernon Barnes

Carole and Kiernon Barnes have been providing hot meals for up to 80 homeless people in Exeter for the last five years.

Lisa Brooks

The care Lisa gives her 86 residents of the Tiverton Almshouse means to enjoy independent living.

COMMUNITY HERO (18+)

Janice Lilley

Janice Lilley of Torquay has, for many years, braved all weathers while walking around her neighbourhood and surrounding areas collecting aluminium cans to recycle with the proceeds for Rowcroft Hospice.

Mary Pugsley

The former fully-trained hairdresser set up Hair@theAcademy to create a place where learners who are vulnerably housed, in the care system or with additional needs or disabilities learn a skill and gain qualifications.

John Doherty

John is the vice-chairman of the Torquay Town Centre Partnership and local shopkeeper. He has witnessed an increase in street homelessness over recent years and has been the driving force behind a new campaign that gives people other options to donate which will help those who are begging, instead of giving it to them on the street.

DEVON CARER

Linda Cornish

Linda has cared for more than 30 children. She adopted her Down syndrome daughter 20 years ago and another child with dysplasia.

Polly Barlow

Polly has worked for the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital for 29 years.

DEVON MENTOR

Brian Sheehry

Brian runs a jiujitsu club in North Devon and is transforming the lives of others including children who lack confidence or are a victim of bullying.

ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION

Jo Cutler

18-year old Jo selflessly gives her time and energy to beach clean the section of coast from Greencliff to Hartland and Duckpool to Bude.

GOOD NEIGHBOUR

Karen Hogan

Karen has come to the rescue of her elderly neighbour on many an occasion. When her neighbour became ill Karen offered constant support.

Min Snowdon

Min is a constant support to many in her community in Okehampton. In particular Min has helped one elderly resident to stay in his own home.

VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY SECTOR CHAMPION

Barnstaple Ability FC

Barnstaple Ability FC coaches around 40 players with additional needs including Down’s syndrome, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, learning difficulties and mental health issues.

Nigel and Becky Harris

Nigel and Becky Harris work tirelessly for vulnerable people in North Devon to ensure their needs are met so they have the resources and ability to create better lives for themselves.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Daniel Turton

Daniel is a habitual volunteer. Over the last 20 years he has helped the Youth Town Council, encouraging the members to become caring citizens of their community.

Elizabeth Holt

Elizabeth, 88, spent her career teaching, 20 years of which she specialised in teaching young people with special needs showing great patience and care. Since retiring she has volunteered for several organisations.

YOUNG HEROES (UNDER 18)

Amelia and Sammie-Jo Mason Amelia and Sammie-Jo, aged 14 and 12, were nominated for their work as young carers, helping to look after both their parents on a daily basis. Molly Harris

Molly is a lifesaver and the 15-year-old performed CPR on Pete Connors while waiting for an ambulance to arrive at their home.

Chloe Martin

Chloe Martin cares for her mum. She cooks at the local community centre, providing meals for isolated elderly people.

Spencer Baxter and

Max Day

Inspired by Spencer’s mum, Sarah, the two eight-year-olds organised their own sponsored cycle from Exeter to Dawlish.

Millie Twigg

Crediton pupil Millie Twigg went under the razor to shave her head to raise funds for Alopecia UK. Millie donated all of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free real-hair wigs to children.

Leah Martin

Brave Leah has been left with lasting effects of an aggressive brain tumour – but still wants to help others. Beth Horton

After suffering a stroke out of the blue when she was only two-and-a-half years old Beth Horton was encouraged to bake and has raised funds.

Stephen Adams

Stephen joined the Torbay Volunteer Police Cadets as the unit was set up. He has great leadership skills and took up a cadet instructor role early on – helping to support the other cadets.

DEVON LIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION HONOUR

Edna Cahill

For 27 years Edna ran the Exeter Blood Donation sessions, finding venues and volunteering in handing out tea and biscuits. In the past 18 years Edna has worked at Hospiscare making teas in the café. Edna has also completed four charity abseils, her last one done at the age of 90.

Fred Grimwood

Fred is an inspiration to everyone around him, kind, honest and caring. He will always give up his spare time to help others around him.

The event takes place at RHS Rosemoor from 3pm on December 6. From 6pm the gardens will light up.

Tickets for the event cost £24 and are available at devonhonours.co.uk