OUTSTANDING individuals, groups and organisations from across Kidderminster were celebrated at the town council's annual Community Awards last week.

Mary Russell was named Charity Champion for raising £18,000 in the last 10 years for Alzheimer's UK.

The Dementia Supporter Award went to Barry McFarland, who has worked relentlessly to raise awareness of dementia and the services available in the town.

Joe Shurmer was the awards' first Young Achiever. Since leaving school, Joe, who is profoundly deaf, has trained at college to become a chef.

As well as working at West Midland Safari Park, Joe volunteers at KEMP Hospice and was described as a "positive, polite and happy person" by nominees.

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The second Young Achiever Award went to seven-year-old Barnaby Pulley, who helps to care for his 10-year-old brother Maxwell who has low-functioning autism.

Dot James received the Unsung Hero Award for her volunteer work with Wyre Forest Nightstop and Horsefair and Proud groups.

She recently evacuated people from the Horsefair fire and nominees said she has undertaken thousands of hours of volunteering while also fostering teenage care leavers.

The Community Group Award went to Wheely Different Theatre Company, which works to increase opportunities and inclusion for adults with disabilities.

As well as performing, the group runs workshops that teach new skills, improve confidence and reduce isolation.

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Fred Holland was awarded the Long Service Award for his 40 years of work for Diabetes UK and the centre at Kidderminster Hospital, where he has raised thousands of pounds for state-of-the-art facilities.

The award for Volunteer of the Year went to Luke Sinden, who was born with autism and was told he would never talk or have a sociable life.

Luke now works as a volunteer at Springfield Cafe, has a job at the safari park and has recently completed a three-year cooking course.

The first Role Model of the Year Award was presented to Sally Haines, a girls' football coach who creates opportunities with professional clubs and FA managers.

Ken Gough took home the second Role Model Award for leading a team of people to raise £19,000 for a minibus at Berrington Court to reduce isolation - despite his ill health.

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Teacher of the Year went to Laura Guest, of Wyre Forest School, for going above and beyond her teaching duties by helping families with non-verbal children to develop their communication and life skills.

The Outstanding Educational Achievement Award went to Jerome O'Toole, who won gold at the UKMT senior maths challenge and has since been personally invited to attend the Mathematics Trust Training Camp at Queens College, Oxford.

Craig Ford won the first Carer of the Year Award for his tireless work caring for daughter Meg, who lives with a rare chromosome disorder.

The second Carer of the Year went to John Evans, who has provided respite care for a family and their son Paul, who has learning difficulties, for more than 30 years.

Good Neighbours Awards went to Fletchers at Costcutter, Blakemore Retail Spar at Marlpool Lane and Midcounties Co-operative Wyre Forest.

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The final award of the night went to Hollie-Mae Reedman, who has been Irish dancing since the age of five and has recently been crowned world champion at the age of 14.

Hollie-Mae was given the Outstanding Award for her voluntary performances at care homes and charity nights.