THE founder of a support group in Halesowen for men struggling with depression and addiction came runner-up in a regional outstanding citizen award.
Jon Mansell, who runs the free drop-in group, Ex Boozehounds, at the town’s Hope Centre, was nominated in the West Midlands police and crime commissioner’s awards.
His inspirational story, offering support to people after experiencing depression and alcoholism himself, impressed the commissioner, David Jamieson.
As well as running the drop-in group, the 43-year-old also writes a popular blog, detailing his own experiences and using them to help others.
At last night’s awards ceremony in Birmingham, he narrowly missed out on first place to 94-year-old volunteer Mary Harvey, from Kingstanding, who goes on daily litter picks, cleans dirty street signs, removes graffiti, fundraises for different charities and builds bridges within the community.
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