COMMUNITY heroes across the district were celebrated this week at Wycombe’s fifth Community Champions awards.

The evening was described as “a celebration of all that is good about the Wycombe district” by presenter Bill Reid, the town clerk. Among the presenters at Wednesday evening’s event was Olympic silver medal-winning rower Katherine Grainger.

The awards were spread across five categories, with a special lifetime achievement award going to Don Dickerson, who has been an active member of the High Wycombe rugby club for around 50 years and its secretary since the 1970s.

This year’s winner of the Community Safety Project Award was Street Dreams, which helps young people find work and develop their skills.

The healthy communities award went to Katie Hedges, leader of Cressex based 'The group with no name', for young adults with autism and aspergers syndrome. The volunteering award went to Janet Billington for her contribution to the High Wycombe Gateway Club and Mencap.

The young community champion was named as Sara Hirsi, for her support work and involvement at the Old Tea Warehouse, a homeless hostel for people with support needs.

The Barbara Maher Community Champion award went to Graham Storer for his work with several different community organisations which have offered support to homeless people and those in need of work.