Emergency workers Jessica Ryder and Ben James, young Samuel Fecci and community volunteer Lorna Bond were among the local heroes honoured at the Kindness Awards ceremony on Friday.
Young Hero Samuel Fecci has faced many unexpected and upsetting issues in the last few years of his young life, yet continues to brighten the room and put others first in both family and his community. He plays Tenby in both Rugby and Football and represented his school at the Urdd Rugby tournament in Narberth helping his team to get to the semi finals. He displays strength, bravery and determination in everything he does.
The video shows Sophie Toy and representatives of the Tenby Swifts announcing Samuel’s well-deserved award for Young Hero.
There were two winners of the ‘Blue Light’ award. Announcing Jess and Ben as the joint winners in this category was Caroline Wheeler, of sponsor Bevan Buckland.
Ben James lives in Upper Hill Park, Tenby with his wife and two daughters. He works in Greenhill School as the IT Technician, but he also a Community First Responder with the Wales Ambulance Service. On October 15 this year Ben received an award /certificate as the runner up to the First Responder.
In addition, Ben is a long time crew member of the Tenby RNLI.
During the Covid pandemic, Ben was a volunteer vaccinator at Tenby Leisure Centre each Sunday and would go to people’s houses if they were unable to get to the Leisure Centre.
Jessica Ryder has been a dedicated Paramedic for the last six years. She is always willing to above and beyond to support the members of her local community. She has recently assisted in an emergency within her home village of Sageston. She has always been willing to stop and help any member of the public who may require her assistance whether she is on duty or off duty.
Jess has recently secured a new position within the Welsh Ambulance Service on the Cymru High Acuity Response Unit (CHARU). Her new role means that she provides a response to a defined set of patients. She is the only female CHARU members of staff in Pembrokeshire, something she is very proud of and also hopes to inspire further progression for women in the sector.
Jess is highly passionate about her job as a CHARU Paramedic and takes great pride in everything that she does. She is a highly valued member of the Ambulance Service and is always happy and willing to support her colleagues and peers and she has mentored student paramedics over the years.
Jess is also an advocate for mental health and has recently set up a Well-being Room within her base station for colleagues to use should they need some time away from what can be a highly demanding job.
The Millbay Homes sponsored Community Volunteer Award went to Lorna Bond, Pembroke.
Lorna Bond runs Bespoke which helps people with disabilities. It’s an opportunity to meet up and sort out their problems. A place to chat, sit and craft. She has helped so many and has raised awareness and has had struggles of her own due to being in a wheelchair.
Lorna set up the group to help individuals who have mobility issues and to make them feel less isolated by offering them activities and a chance to have a natter in an inclusive environment.
Lorna has gone through so much in her life with operations and now is permanently in a wheelchair. She manages her disability independently. An inspirational lady, even when she struggles she is kind and caring for others. She always goes out of her way to help and care for people. Always smiling no matter what life throws at her, she’s such a genuine person with a heart of gold.
The Tenby Observer thanks sponsors Ogi Broadband, Molson Coors, Celtic Holidays, Bethel Baptist Church, Bevan Buckland, Millbay Homes for enabling this important event to take place.