Lord Mayor's honours for community champions

'INCREDIBLE" dedication to their communities has earned two women from the Fishponds area civic awards.

Mary Golledge and Sarah Rogers are among 20 Lord Mayor’s Medal recipients announced by the city council on the 40th anniversary of the award.

For Mary, from Stapleton, it is her second honour in a year, having been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours list.

As reported in February's Voice, Mary has been active in the community for more than 50 years, founding the Duchess Ladies Club, which ran for 50 years from 1971 to 2021, and the Stapleton and Begbrook Community Association, where she still volunteers at the age of 90.

She has also volunteered at Headway Bristol, which was based at Frenchay Hospital, for 26 years between 1990 and 2017, helping survivors of brain injuries relearn how to speak, read and cook.

And she has sent more than 1,500 shoeboxes of donated gifts to disadvantaged children in countries including Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo and now Ukraine, for charity Blythswood Care over 25 yearssending 70 last Christmas.

Sarah Rogers was nominated in

1 2 recognition of her "outstanding contribution to the Hillfields community", having cofounded Hillfields Community Garden during lockdown and developed the community growing project with fellow volunteers, setting up groups and events.

Sarah has also set up a welcome space and an older people's group, Silver Explorers, as part of the Friends of Hillfields Library, and helped to manage volunteers and organise activities there.

Presenting the medals at the Mansion

House in Clifton, Lord Mayor Paula O’Rourke said: “It has truly been an honour to learn about, and meet, this year’s recipients.

"Their dedication to their local communities and the people of Bristol is incredible. They have all made a huge difference to their communities and have been rightly recognised this year because of their selflessness.

“These awards remind us of the fantastic community spirit we have here in Bristol."