FOLLOWING more than 50 nominations and more than 2,000 votes, a youth group ‘community hero’ has been named Volunteer of the Year for the Forest of Dean.

Sue Fellows, long- serving volunteer from CANDI Youth Group in Cinderford, was named the winner at the second annual voluntary awards, hosted by the Forest Voluntary Action Forum.

The awards were presented at Heart of the Forest Special School at the Speech House, Coleford.

Sue said: “I am proud and honoured to receive this award.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to all those who voted for me and to CANDI’s team of dedicated and committed, current and former staff and volunteers, without whom we would have been unable to provide this much needed and valuable project.”

Forest Pulse, a charity which supports families living in the Forest of Dean who have a child with disabilities, won the Voluntary Group of the

Year award.

Charity manager Kim Jones accepted the award on its behalf, saying: “I think every single organisation and individual nominated deserved the award and it is because of t.

“And it is because of them and those like them that the Forest of Dean is such a wonderful place to live and work in.”

Lastly, Sixteen Community Café picked up the Business of the Year award for the second year running.

As one of many recent awards for the Coleford-based café, they said that they were very proud of the team who work incredibly hard and as a result deserve such accolades.

Chris Brown, manager of FVAF, which supports hundreds of volunteers and voluntary groups each year, praised their contributions in what are extremely tough times for the sector.

He said: “Volunteers from across the Forest of Dean were recognised for their contributions to their communities by those wanting to give much needed recognition to our community heroes.

“It’s no secret that savage funding cuts over recent years have left holes in communities across the district.

“Those that step up in the face of such adversity to keep the Forest of Dean thriving deserve all the plaudits we can give.

“Hopefully these awards go some way to showing our appreciation for their efforts,” he added.

If you would like further information about volunteering or the volunteering awards then contact Chris on [email protected] or telephone 01594 822073.