Unsung hero awards

The Shuttle/Times & News has teamed up with Worcestershire County Council to reward someone who works above and beyond the call of duty.

The winner will receive a super weekend break for two in London taking in one of the capital's top shows at the Lyceum Theatre. The prize is worth more than £200. The winner will also be a VIP guest of the county council for a day out to remember as the guest of chairman Peter Carter.

Cast your internet vote by clicking on the Unsung Hero button to the right of this story.

Nominations are:

BOB ANDREWS

Former Bevin Boy Bob Andrews is well known for his hospital visits and many acts of kindness towards the elderly.

The sprightly 75-year-old is still living in the house he was born in at Hemming Street, Kidderminster.

Because of a shortage of manpower after World War One, he left Bennett Street School at the age of 13 to work on the canals and waterways.

He joined the Navy in 1946 and saw action in the Middle and Far East. He said: "I served with Lord Louis Mountbatten on the flagship HMS Meon, which was a great honour.

"I did not need to join the Navy, having served my time as a Bevin Boy on the canals. Because of my knowledge of the waterways I was helping to get cargos in and out of the area in the blackouts."

Mr Andrews has been visiting the sick and bedbound at Kidderminster Hospital since 1977 and grows vegetables to give to the elderly. He also runs errands for pensioners.

He said: "I don't have a phone or a television set - the only programmes I would enjoy are on wildlife and I've got my own ringside seat to see the wildlife in the area."

Bob was nominated by three friends including Brian Phillips of Eddy Road who said: "He is a very welcome visitor to hospital to see people who have no relations."

DON DAVIES

Pensioner Don Davies is enjoying a busy retirement behind the wheel of an Age Concern mini-bus.

Don, 70, a former Summerfield process worker, regularly ferries people around. The group is based in Castle Road, Kidderminster.

He said: "I really enjoy it, meeting people, having a chat and driving them to and from other towns.

"But I would hate people to think I am the only one. There is a great team of helpers here and many of them have been there longer than me."

Don, of Claughton Street, Kidderminster, is married to Audrey, a former nurse who helps Kemp Hospice in her spare time.

The couple have three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Don was nominated by an Age Concern client, Tony Gardner of Goldthorn Place, Kidderminster.

Tony said: "Mr Davies is always happy when you see him. He also grows plants and shrubs and gives them to the Tulip Tree Centre to raise funds, and has made patio furniture for the centre as well.

"He has also made trelliswork, plant containers and bird tables and sometimes gives the passengers a treat by taking them for a short ride before they come for lunch to buy them sweets and strawberries.

"I do not need the bus myself to go to the centre, but that day may come."

TED EBURY

Pensioner Don Davies is enjoying a busy retirement behind the wheel of an Age Concern mini-bus.

Don, 70, a former Summerfield process worker, regularly ferries people around. The group is based in Castle Road, Kidderminster.

He said: "I really enjoy it, meeting people, having a chat and driving them to and from other towns.

"But I would hate people to think I am the only one. There is a great team of helpers here and many of them have been there longer than me."

Don, of Claughton Street, Kidderminster, is married to Audrey, a former nurse who helps Kemp Hospice in her spare time.

The couple have three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Don was nominated by an Age Concern client, Tony Gardner of Goldthorn Place, Kidderminster.

Tony said: "Mr Davies is always happy when you see him. He also grows plants and shrubs and gives them to the Tulip Tree Centre to raise funds, and has made patio furniture for the centre as well.

"He has also made trelliswork, plant containers and bird tables and sometimes gives the passengers a treat by taking them for a short ride before they come for lunch to buy them sweets and strawberries.

"I do not need the bus myself to go to the centre, but that day may come."

BOB HARTELL

The man who helped launch Dial-a-Ride and make it the success that it is today has been nominated by a grateful passenger.

Bob Hartell, 52, co-ordinator of the service based in the British Sugar Community Support Centre, Stourport Road, Kidderminster, started with an old ambulance from Hereford in 1986.

Today, Dial-a-Ride now has four mini buses and covers the whole of the Wyre Forest district.

Bob, who used to work as a chief cashier in Kidderminster Magistrates Court, is married to Linda and has two children, Graham and Nicola. He said: "I am surprised and pleased to have been nominated.

"Dial-a-Ride is a service for someone who cannot use public transport. Shopping trips and doctors' appointments are the norm and we also take people to the station at the start of a holiday, and even to visit a cemetery."

Bob was nominated by Margaret McKrivosis of Windermere Way, Stourport. She said: "I used to work for Dial-a-Ride when it started.

"Now I am a very grateful passenger and cannot speak too highly of Bob."

BARBARA McCREDIE

The man who helped launch Dial-a-Ride and make it the success that it is today has been nominated by a grateful passenger.

Bob Hartell, 52, co-ordinator of the service based in the British Sugar Community Support Centre, Stourport Road, Kidderminster, started with an old ambulance from Hereford in 1986.

Today, Dial-a-Ride now has four mini buses and covers the whole of the Wyre Forest district.

Bob, who used to work as a chief cashier in Kidderminster Magistrates Court, is married to Linda and has two children, Graham and Nicola. He said: "I am surprised and pleased to have been nominated.

"Dial-a-Ride is a service for someone who cannot use public transport. Shopping trips and doctors' appointments are the norm and we also take people to the station at the start of a holiday, and even to visit a cemetery."

Bob was nominated by Margaret McKrivosis of Windermere Way, Stourport. She said: "I used to work for Dial-a-Ride when it started.

"Now I am a very grateful passenger and cannot speak too highly of Bob."