VOLUNTEERS from across Dudley Borough have been honoured at a glittering ceremony to mark their community contribution.

Around 350 people attended the Dudley Volunteer Awards hosted by Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (Dudley CVS) at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on October 17.

During the ceremony a number of high profile guests gave speeches paying tribute to the work of volunteers.

The ceremony also included the presentation of certificates to 95 volunteers and groups were presented with certificates to recognise their work before the announcement of the winners of 20 main awards in 11 categories.

Dudley Mayor, Councillor Alan Finch, said: "It really was an honour to be part of the volunteer awards. It is so important to recognise those great people who volunteer to help others and make the borough a better place.

"Dudley Council champions volunteers through its Love Your Community campaign, which also recognises the varied and good work residents do to help the people around them."

In Dudley the big winners were:- Keith Sabin from Quarry Bank collected the Children and Families Award for his eleven years of work with Dudley Sea Cadets. Keith helped raise £50,000 to build a boat shed and then helped build it as well.

Mark Costello, of Woodsetton, who has volunteered for nine years with several groups, including the Pulse Team and the Black Country Living Museum, was Highly Commended in the Community Action Award category.

Helen Coll, from Stourbridge, collected the Wellbeing Award for her work with Dudley District Citizen’s Advice Bureaux, where she advises people on debt, housing, benefits and employment.

Emily Simmons, of Sedgley, scooped the Young Volunteer of the Year award for her We Socialise Too work at Dudley Students Union. Emily arranges social events for student with mild learning disabilities and was instrumental in accessing Youth Opportunities Funding. Highly Commended in the Young Volunteer category were members of the Shree Gujarati Hindu Youth Club in Dudley, which has helped break down cultural barriers.

In the Arts and Heritage category, the Fusion Community Rock Choir, which has an age range from 12 to 80 years, took top spot. The choir is run by members of staff at Jessons School in Dudley to raise money for charity. Volunteers at Dudley Archives and Local History Services, were Highly Commended in the same section for their innovative and fresh perspective on promoting the archive service.

The Gordon Lindsay Award for long service to volunteering Dudley was presented to Christine Rich, a founder member of Friends of Priory Park voluntary group. Known locally as the ‘Park lady’ Christine helped make a successful bid for £2.6m to renovate the park.