PEOPLE who help wildlife have been celebrated in an awards ceremony.

No fewer than 25 Wildlife Heroes were presented with their awards by Colin Raven, Director of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. 

The local wildlife conservation charity launched the awards in spring as part of their 50th birthday celebrations.

Rae Howard-Louvaine, senior engagement officer for the trust and organiser of the Wildlife Heroes awards, said: “We appealed for nominations earlier in the year and have been delighted by the response; it’s great to know that there are so many people that are doing their bit to help wildlife right across Worcestershire.

“Thank you to everyone who nominated a Hero and thank you too to all our Wildlife Heroes for their work in caring for wildlife throughout our county.”

The Wildlife Heroes awards were launched in April and aim to highlight and applaud individuals, groups, communities, businesses and schools that have helped wildlife during the last 50 years.

More information about the awards and details on how to nominate someone can be found at worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-heroes or by contacting Rae on 01905 754919 opr at rae@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org.

Wildlife Heroes – Evesham & Pershore

Sara Bankes - Sara has transformed Bredon Hill Academy into a flourishing wildlife school.

Bredon Hill Academy - Staff and pupils have worked hard to create vibrant, wildlife friendly areas within the school grounds. 

John Clarke - John has completed an enormous amount of work in the Bredon Hill area both on a practical level and by engaging local people in a number of projects. 

Tom Meikle - Wick Grange Farm enterprise is involved in many causes both as a Care Farm and educationally.

Jackie Morris – Originally from Evesham, Jackie Morris’s illustrations for the book ‘The Lost Words’ have provided an extra incentive for schools to focus on nature in the classroom. 

Paul Smith - Paul co- established  the Broadway Natural History Society 10 years ago.  He has been sourcing, planting and maintaining the diverse ground flora along the Broadway bypass (A44).

Geoff Stringer/Beckford Nature Reserve - The reserve was set up as a charity 10 years ago and is run by a local group of enthusiastic volunteers. 

Jean and Andy Young - Andy and Jean have been toad patrolling around the Wadborough area for a couple of years and have been part of a group that have helped to rescue hundreds of toads, frogs and newts.

Michelle Young/Evesham Bat Care - The group rescues and cares for lost and injured bat, travelling all over the area to collect bats that need care and nursing them back to health before releasing them back into the wild.