Brave Katie wins Pride of Herefordshire title

Fifteen-year-old Katie Llewellin was named overall winner at the inaugural Pride of Herefordshire Awards, run by the Herefordshire Partnership in conjunction with the Hereford Journal.

Katie had earlier been named winner of the Herefordshire Courage Award for her actions in calming down two traumatised horses and a donkey on a dark night and prevented an accident from happening.

She was nominated by her mother, Adele, who said: "Katie quickly recognised the seriousness of the situation and rang the police on her phone."

Katie and other category winners received trophies specially designed by artist blacksmith Ambrose Burne. The winners also received a cheque for £100. Finalists received certificates to mark their achievement.

Other finalists for the Courage Award were Esat Kurt, David Riley and the Flooding Response Group.

The awards ceremony was held at the Three Counties, Hotel, Hereford, on Thursday, September 20, and other winners were.

Herefordshire Entrepreneur Award: Geoff Tunstall. Geoff runs Workmatch, a charitable company which runs a number of social enterprises in Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Leominster and Lugwardine, all providing jobs for disabled or disadvantaged people.
Other finalists in this category were Clancy and Cathie Wilson, Zara Bignall, Valerie Santillo and Stuart Anderson.

Herefordshire Learner Award: Rachel Haskew. Rachel, 26, from Hereford successfully completed the European Computer Driving Licence at Herefordshire College of Technology despite having cerebral palsy.
Other finalists were Anneka Hulse, Gareth Powell and Debbie Payne.

Herefordshire Health Champion: Pauline Ovenden and Elizabeth Jones. These two ME sufferers who founded the Hereford ME group about 20 years ago and both support people to cope with problems caused by the illness.
The other finalist was Dr Donald Langford.

Herefordshire Young Carer Award: Christopher Cole and Alan Evans, both volunteers with the St John Ambulance Cadets. The judges couldn't decide between these two young carers so they were given a joint award. Christopher, 15, helps to care for his sick mother and provide emotional support for his father. Alan, 15, helped to save his father's life and currently cares for three adults, including his father.

Herefordshire Environmental Champion: Maggie Eckley. Maggie started taking a keen interest in recycling some n15 years ago and has actively encouraged colleagues, friends and family to do the same.
The other finalist was Beryl Bayliss.

Herefordshire Adult Carer Award: Denise Hannagan. Denise works for registered charity Open Door and even plays the role of Santa by making sure Christmas really happens for the homeless.
Other finalists were Ted Vaughan, Thomas Gundy and John Bryant.

Herefordshire Youth Community Award: Ryan Holland. Ryan is the founder of the Leominster Flower Pot kids gardening club which involves many other local youngsters and has recently received a youth opportunity fund to help with their work.
Other finalists were Zoe Williams and the Herefordshire Youth Funding Panel.