Newport’s stars shone on Friday night when the Extra Mile Awards, organised by Newport Council, recognised those who have a difference to the lives of people in the city.

DAVID DEANS reports.

A FATHER and son-in-law duo were among the heroes awarded for the difference they have made to others at a ceremony on Friday night.

Dad-of-three Bill Bull and Mark Turner helped a young man when he got into trouble while swimming in the sea in Turkey.

They were among more than 50 residents, Newport council workers and groups honoured at a ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Mr Bull, 64, his wife Rosanne Bull, his daughter Elizabeth Turner and her husband Mark Turner, 43, went on a boat trip during their holiday near the Turkish resort of Olu Deniz last October.

While the boat was anchored, and after enjoying a swim, the family noticed a voice crying out.

“There was this young man, probably about 20,” said Mr Bull. “I called out to him, I said to Mark he’s in trouble there.”

Mr Bull and Mr Turner, both of BarrackHill, jumped in and swam over to the man, helping him back to the boat.

It was discovered that the man, whose name is unknown, had broken a couple of his toes.

Mr Bull, nominated by his wife, knew nothing about the award until he received the letter telling him he had won it.

His wife said: “I thought it was a very brave thing that they did. Nobody else did it. I was very very proud of them.”

A 67-YEAR-OLD-old shop worker who pinned robbers to the floor and the man who came to his aid were recognised for their bravery.

Anwar Ulhaq wasworking in Alexandra Stores, Alexandra Road, Pill, in January last year whenaman andawoman came into his shop and attacked him.

As they went behind the counter to steal, Mr Ulhaq ran for the door. A lorry driver, Westly Morgan, came to his aid and helped pin the robbers to the floor.

Former Welsh rugby international and Gwent Dragon Richard Parks was recognised for his record-setting fundraiser.

Mr Parks made history last June by becoming the first ever person to climb the highest summit on each of the world continents and stand on all three poles (North, South and Everest) in the same calendar year.

Paramedic Jason Bowry was awarded for his rescue of a dog walker who was found lying face down in the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Terry Bowen, 75, had suffered a suspected stroke and fell in near the Tredegar Arms, Rogerstone, last September. Mr Bowry jumped into the water, turning Mr Bowen over and holding his head up while he waited for firefighters to lift him out.

Kidney transplant recipient Maureen Hendon, 50, of Caerleon, said she was “surprised, shocked and honoured” by her Extra Mile award, given in recognition of her fundraising.

Ms Hendon developed kidney failure in 1994 and underwent four life-saving transplants, with her last being in 2006.

Last year she completed a ten-day tour of transporter bridges, raising £2,500 for the Kidney Wales Foundation.

PCs Lee Stephens, Gareth Evans, Anthony Redwood, Thomas Seagrim and Matthew Andrews were honoured for risking their lives to save five people including a pregnant woman and her young child from the Old Barn Estate in St Julian’s.

Michael Coughlan, was nominated for helping the police prevent a woman jumping into the River Usk off the city footbridge.

Alexandra Morgan, of Beechwood, Newport, was awarded for raising £20,000 for cancer charities over the last three and a half years.

Jesus Cares – the team of volunteers from King’s Church in Newport that delivers between 200 to 300 food hampersaweek for people across South Wales – and its volunteer David Bowen were honoured on Friday nights for their charity work.

The King’s Church’s Hayley Corley, personal assistant to pastor Ray Bevan, also received an award.

Naz Islam was honoured for his work coaching weekly football sessions at Maindee Youth Club on Eton Road, and in setting up Maindee Amateur Boxing Club which now has charity status.

Winner Jack Tyler raised £1,782 for the Sparkle Appeal in aid of the Serennu Centre in Rogerstone, after undertaking a charity bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats.

Muzimi Ramzan,who is 17 and who has cared forhis mother since the age of 14 and last year helped to build a school in Costa Rica, was also awarded.

Dorothy Humphreys, of Malpas,was recognised for her lifetime spent serving the scouting movement. She has received one of the highest honours in British Scouting, the Silver Acorn.

Roger Swabey,who had already been awarded the scouting movement’s Silver Wolf honour and has served scouts in Gwent for 30 years, was also recognised.

Award winner Nathan Procter raised £10,000 to support Summerlily Hudd, a young girl who suffers with spina bidifa, through events includingabike ride the canal between Brecon to Cwmcarn.

Grant Watson OBE was recognised for his work on the board of Newport Unlimited since 2004, for much of that period as chairman. He retired fromthe post last year.

Howard Smith, who works for Orb Electricals in Newport, was recognised for his work with the PONT Charity which supports people in Uganda.

VOLUNTEERS and supporters of the Royal British Legion were among those honoured.

Winner Ron Jones, 94 and a survivor fromthe 900-mile death march in Austria and Italy in the Second World War, is a regular visitor to schools where he talks about his experiences.

He still raises money for the Poppy Appeal, raising more than £9,000 in 2010.

Others included Pat Husselbee, 69, fromBettws, and her daughter Ann- Marie Payne, 39, from Underwood.

Mrs Hasselbee has been involved with the legion formore than 50 years and has served as a standard-bearer for the organisation. That role has been handed down to her daughter Ms Payne,who carries the Gwent Royal British Legion standard.

Poppy Appeal volunteer Doug Piddington,who stepped into the breach three weeks before the start of the 2011 Poppy Appeal after the previous organiser resigned, was recognised for ensuring Newport people were able to support the appeal in 2011.

OTHERS recognised are: Ian Whitehill, recognised for his work helping others in the city who find themselves homeless turn their lives around.

Iain Hunt, a voluntary coach at Newport Girls Gymnastic Club for 25 years at Newport Centre.

Rhys Williams, raised money for Guide Dogs for the Blind by swimming, cycling and running 226km in the Wales Ironman Competition.

Hilary and Os Pinnell, in recognition of their work for the Dolman Theatre.

Jasmine Paffey, nominated youth of the year by St John’s Ambulance, recruited 35 new youth members to Newport Division since taking it over.

Thomas Rayner, from St John’s Ambulance, helped teach first aid to 350 adults and children while volunteering in Zambia.

Glynis Davis, voluntary coordinator of Gwent Cats Protection.

Lesley Tregiden-Bellew, learned sign language as a result of fostering a child and is working with Newport Council to establishagroup for families affected by deafness.

Toni Murphy, of Acorn Recruitment, awarded forher evening and weekend fundraising.

The League of Friends Royal Gwent Hospital, raised more than £200,000 for both the RoyalGwent and StWoolos Hospital.

Rachel Berry,works in the information shop on Commercial Street, and was recognised forher support for young vulnerable people in the city.

Newport Right of Way Volunteers, for the groups’ work over nearly twenty years of repairing installing and maintaining stiles, gates and bridges.

St Julian’s pastor Paul Halliday, for his work with disadvantaged people.

Margaret Jones and Elsie Foley, volunteers for Duffryn Community Link.

Vivienne Vermeire– practice manager for Watkins and Gunn Solicitors.

Joan Davies – spent four decades with St John Ambulance, now retired and spends her time as a volunteer at Maesglas Community Centre where she has helped raise £18,000 for charity over the last five years.

Doris Travis BEM – recognised for 40 years of service to the WRVS.


Staff members are rewarded

NEWPORT council staff also received gongs on the night.

Lucy Jackson and Louise Protherough-Jones – awarded for the work they undertook on the Streetscene restructuring.

Newport Cemeteries superintendent Charlie Dare.

Newport council finance and income team’s Matthew Parsons.

Organisers of the first Pride in the City Newport marathon Nicola and William Shaw.

Senior locality manager Carol Lillie.


High-achieving pupils recognised for their skills

HIGH-achieving school children of Newport were also recognised on Friday: Bethan Harris, Caerleon Comprehensive, achieved 12 A*s at GCSE, 4 A grades at AS level and won a silver award in the British Physics Olympiad.

Mekha Jeyanthi, Duffryn High School, runs the eco committee and is a literacy buddy, working with younger students to help improve literacy skills.

Clayton Jones, Bassaleg School, played integral part in design and marketing of “Pudsey calendars”.

Adam Ramsden, Hartridge High School, making good progress in Year 11.

Mohammad Raza – Lliswerry High School, performed exceptionally well at Key Stage 4 Matthew Paskin and Lauren Johnson – head boy and head girl of Newport High School.

Alexander O’Keefe, St Joseph’s RC High School, achieved 8A*s at GCSE.

Alexandra Wilcox, St Julian’s School, excellent results at Key Stage 3 and 4.

Sponsors of the awards were: South Wales Argus; Victorious Personal Injury Claims; Robert Hitchins Limited; Thomas Carroll Group; Newport Transport; Rowecord; 11th hour events; Watkins&Gunn Solicitors; GD Environmental; Acorn; Orb Electrical Steels; Cogent, Tata Steel; AWG Property Ltd; Newport Unlimited; Wales and West Utilities; Melin Homes;