Top award for stalwart Halesowen volunteer (From Halesowen News)

Top award for stalwart Halesowen volunteer

11:33am Tuesday 26th October 2010 in Local

A DEDICATED Halesowen woman who has helped hundreds of vulnerable people across the Dudley borough has had her hard work recognised with a top award.

Wendy Fryatt, who founded the Black Country Food Bank, was made Community Action Volunteer of the year in the annual Dudley Volunteer Awards.

The stalwart charity worker, who did not know she had been nominated when she went along to the presentation evening at Brierley Hill Civic Hall, said she was “flabbergasted” to win, adding that it was a team effort.

In 2002 she had a vision of providing food and basic necessities for people facing difficult circumstances and four years later her dream came true with the opening of the food bank from Chaun Hill Church in Pedmore.

There are now seven branches across the borough, including one in Halesowen, and she said “sadly” the need for the food bank was growing.

The Green Achievement Award went to volunteer Bev Cole, who guided a group of volunteers, parents, friends and staff in the creation of two major gardening projects at Lutley Primary School, Halesowen.

Her first grand design was sensory garden which was so successful she went on to develop a space for nature, with the help of a BBC Breathing Places grant.

She has created raised beds, willow structures, sculpture and water features, cleared an area and planted bluebells, a native hedgerow and wildflower meadow, along with a full-sized round house with enough seating for a full class.

Unpaid officer with Halesowen Air Cadets Alex Story, scooped the Children and Families Award for his efforts in organising the squadron’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

His plans weekend expeditions and training exercises and was described as “a terrific role model for the cadets” who regard him as a friend and someone for whom they have enormous respect.

The Lutley Pulse Team, which has cleared overgrown bushes and pathways in playgrounds and community centres, picked up a highly commended award for green achievement.