PEOPLE who go above and beyond for their communities have been recognised with Local Community Hero Awards.
Members of Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary Club presented those doing that but more for people with honours for their efforts in a ceremony at Ashton Golf Club.
Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Janet Cooper was joined by club president Ian Cochrane to hand out the awards.
Among the recipients were those behind the Carrbrook Hub and Community Garden for ‘all their hard work in providing a fantastic local facility.’
The driving force behind the garden scheme, Terry Drabble, received one of his own, as well as for distributing food parcels to local residents each week and presents to local children for a number of years.
Mossley Litter Bugs were recognised for their work in clearing up the town while volunteers at the Stalybridge Getting Together Project received one for providing a very successful weekly tea dance project at Stalybridge Labour Club to give people over the age of 50 in Stalybridge an opportunity to reengage after Covid.
Elizabeth Hesketh, of Stalybridge’s Mottram Rise Homewatch, was recognised for her role as Homewatch Organiser and organising regular litter picks on the country lanes around Mottram Rise.
She was the lead in the fantastic appeal for the provision and delivery of a defibrillator in the area and is keen to set up other points.
Dukinfield Pantry provided food and sold it at a fraction of the cost to the most vulnerable and those who are struggling in the community, while Dukinfield councillor Jackie Lane was honoured for, ‘the tireless and passionate work she carries out under the radar for the Women’s Refuge.
‘As a frequent visitor to the centres, she buys out of her own pocket resources, materials and clothes for the children and women.’
Jean Depledge, of Dukinfield’s Yew Tree Singers received an award for more than 50 years’ service while the town’s Together Centre was also recognised.
Ridge Hill’s Baptist Church earned recognition for the work volunteers have done to help transform the space around it.
Andrew Stone, of Carrbrook, did not go unnoticed for his work as volunteer community responder.
The local Scout leader also volunteered during the lockdown with Stalybridge Covid Helpline to make deliveries of food and medicines to residents who were isolating and shielding.
Ethel Clayton’s 30 years of volunteering at Stalybridge’s Cancer Research Shop and Dukinfield couple Sue and Stephen Muir’s tireless work in supporting the homeless and single parents and helping many local people in our neighbourhood also earned them awards.
And Margaret Doherty, of Ridge Hill’s Big Local was honoured for, ‘going way above the call of duty for the residents of Ridge Hill, Ambleside, Springs and the Hague estates in Stalybridge.’
It was noted: “Ridge Hill is a better place on account of her commitment and hard work.”
Ian said: “Last year our club presented Local Community Hero Awards to those who had stepped up and provided much needed support that would not otherwise have been available to them during the Covid pandemic.
“We realised there are many individuals and local organisations who go above and beyond on a regular basis, irrespective of Covid.
“This resonates well with the ethos of Rotary in terms of putting service above self. We therefore decided to host an awards ceremony to recognise people who have gone the extra mile and continue to support our local communities in Dukinfield, Mossley and Stalybridge.
“Congratulations to all our Local Community Heroes. You are a credit to our local community and we thank you for your dedication, passion and hard work.”