SELFLESS individuals and groups who have dedicated themselves to helping their communities were honoured in a ceremony on Friday (March 18).

The Lions Club of the Forest of Dean presented Forest Champion awards at a gala presentation at the Speech House Hotel.

There were seven categories with three nominations in each.

Rachel Love, who presented the awards, said: “All the nominees are deserving of recognition for their work but there can only be one winner in each category.

Zara Foggarty was named as Young Achiever for her determination when raising money for charity including the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The Local Hero award went to Jane Trout whose quick thinking and CPR skills saved a man’s life.

Heather Davies, who travels around the county talking to young people about the dangers of reckless driving after losing her daughter in road collision, was named Innovative Educator.

Spike Powles and Lee Osbourne were recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award for organising activities in Berry Hill during the pandemic.

The community award went to Lydney Hub for its work supporting young people in the area.

The Forest Covid team were recognised for their dedication to the vaccination programme with the healthcare award.

The lifetime achievement award went to George Gordon Smith who founded the Orchard Trust in Lydbrook, which helps people with disabilities.

The other nominees were Connor Halford and Chloe Tootell in the young achiever category, Mark Smith, and Dan Jury and Dave Hooper for Local Hero, Wendy Bolton and Gloucestershire College for innovative educator, Dilke Hospital in-patients team and staff of Hiltop and Offa’s Dyke Care Homes in the healthcare category, Poppy Gee and Yvonne Wood for community contribution, Together We Can and Forest Upcycling in the community category and Roger Gardner and Lynn Hammersley for lifetime achievement.