INSPIRATIONAL people and organisations in Wyre Forest who have gone the extra mile to support people with disabilities have been honoured.

The 11th annual No Barriers, Mike Oborski Awards were held at Wyre Forest House on Thursday (October 18) and saw 12 certificates being presented to members of the community.

Guest speaker was former King Charles I pupil Craig Bateman, who told the audience how he was diagnosed with high functioning autism in 2011 but managed to overcome the barriers he faced and is now studying an International and Social Policy masters degree at the London School of Economics.

Last year he graduated from Durham University with a politics and philosophy degree and had been an active member of the Boys’ Brigade and Youth Council when he was younger.

He said: “Just because someone is disabled, it doesn’t mean they should not take part. I want to see no more barriers to success for anyone.”

No Barriers was set up in honour of former Wyre Forest District Councillor Mike Oborski, who sadly died of cancer in 2007 aged 60.

The aim of the scheme, which is supported by The Shuttle, is to recognise individuals and organisations that have gone over and above the call of duty to support disabled people and make them feel part of the community.

Councillor Fran Oborski said: “Mike was working on this before he died and I’m thrilled the council has carried this on as a living memorial to him.

“We have had a tremendous number of people nominated and I’m pleased we are going to be able to carry on celebrating the efforts of people who have gone the extra mile.”

The ceremony also featured opening and closing speeches from Community Housing Group director Marie Banner and Wyre Forest District Council chairman Stephen Williams respectively.

Among the winners was a posthumous award presented to the family of 20-year-old William Michael Mills, who worked tirelessly to enable young people to take part in sports as well as volunteering for charities. He sadly died in June.

The other winners this year were:

*Our Way Self Advocacy

*Elaine Ball & Eleanor Mouzer of Wheely Different Theatre Company & Emotions wheelchair dancing group

*Little Owl Farm Park

*Café Chad

*Peter Cooper of The Barrel of Fun

*Liz Bloomer of Stourport Dementia Café

*PC Lisa Hornberger & PC Alexandra Lewis

*Elizabeth Mills Centre

*Severn Valley Railway

*Sue Tew of St George’s Church Yard group

*Walkers Hair Lounge & Barbers shop