Radstock’s local heroes were recognised at the Town Council’s Making a Difference Awards last Thursday evening. Nominations had grown in the third year of the award, which seeks to acknowledge people in the community who contribute much through charity work, fundraising, caring for others, or simply making a difference within the community.
The winner, Jean Meredith, known to many as Radstock’s running hairdresser who owns Jean’s in the town centre, was nominated in recognition of the thousands of pounds she has raised over many years, the majority raised through the running of marathons all over the world.
Jean is a much respected member of the community and her customers think the world of her. In fact, she goes one step further to make a difference to her customers, visiting them at home if they are unable to come to the shop. Jean has been previously acknowledged for her fundraising work, having been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2012. She and her husband, Roy, have been running marathons to raise money for local charities for the past thirty years, with Jean completing over 28 London Marathons and countless others across the globe.
Speaking about her award, Jean said: “It was wonderful to receive, but a complete shock, I thought I was going along just to support everyone else!
“I’m very pleased to have been nominated and to win, but it’s not me that should get it, everyone who sponsored me should.”
Jean is continuing to fundraise and will be presenting a cheque to representatives from Clic Sargent in the near future. She is also planning to run seventy miles in December, weather permitting, to mark her seventieth birthday in aid of the Air
Ambulance and the RUH’s Forever Friends Appeal, which is raising money for a new Cancer Centre to serve the local area.
Other nominees included Angus Hooper, for the care and attention he gives to
looking after the Trinity Methodist Church gardens and Haydon Community
Garden; Ed Hill, who at 23 years old was recognised for the tireless voluntary work he carries out, working in particular with young Squadron Air Cadets. Ed is also a Special Police Constable and was recently awarded Special Constable of the Year for Avon and Somerset Police. Ted Boucher, who was also nominated, has been a stalwart at Haydon Allotments for over twenty years, always welcoming allotment holders and offering help and advice when needed. Last but not least, Brian Perrett has run the Radstock Residents Association for over fifteen years,
attending local meetings and ensuring residents are kept regularly up-to-date with news. He is also a supporter of both Radstock in Bloom and Science in Radstock.
Mike Boulton, Chair of Radstock Town Council, said: “The Council is keen to mark the huge contributions local people make and there are a number who make a considerable difference to life in our community. We are delighted with the nominations received and it has been a pleasure to recognise such a remarkable group of people.”