Inspiring citizens honoured

Five residents have been recognised for going the extra mile within the Borough of Fareham.

Fareham’s Citizen and Young Citizens of Honour 2018 winners were presented with their awards at the Mayor Making ceremony at Ferneham Hall on 10th May.

The Young Citizen of Honour (4-11years) is Amber Munn. Amber attends Fareham Musical Society Youth Theatre and dance lessons despite suffering from extreme Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Hirschsprung’s disease. She never misses a rehearsal and even if she is in pain, she will give her all.

Young Citizen of Honour (12-17years) is Michael Guthrie. Michael started volunteering while he was working towards his Duke of Edinburgh Awards. At just 17 years old, Michael volunteers with 1st Titchfield Beavers, Hampshire Scouts, as well as helping his elderly neighbour. This is all alongside studying a Level 3 BTEC at college and working part time.

The first adult Citizen of Honour (18+ years) is Denise Fletcher-Lance. She has been a School Governor in Fareham schools for 24 years. She dedicates her time and expertise to supporting young people across the Portchester area both through the school and as a Trustee of the Portchester Community Centre.

Paula Hemingway, also a Citizen of Honour, has been raising money for the Fareham Air Cadets for the past five years, each year surpassing her target of £1000. In 2017, she raised a total of £3500. Most of this has been raised by selling customised plant pots as well as organising raffles at squadron events.

The third adult Citizen of Honour is Betty Richards. Betty is a keen volunteer in the Fareham community and continues into her 90th year, despite suffering with Age Related Macular Disease (AMD). She has volunteered and fundraised for Fareham Macular Support Group for the past 18 years, as well as the Macular Society, and Fareham Musical Society, which she founded in 1983. In August, she undertook an abseil down the Spinnaker Tower and raised £4,200.

The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Geoff Fazackarley, presented the awards and said: “It was truly inspiring to meet these members of the community, and hear about their achievements. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to present them with their awards.”