Fareham Citizen of Honour Awards

More than 40 years of dedicated fundraising for the people of the town made 83-year-old Bill Smith a more than deserving recipient.

He has been joined by 90-year-old Beryl Pagdin who has devoted five decades to the local Scouting movement.

Teenager Becky Kettle has been crowned Fareham's Young Citizen of Honour for her work as a young carer and church volunteer.

Council leader Sean Woodward said: "The Citizens of Honour and Young Citizen of Honour awards are a wonderful opportunity to thank those residents who have given their time unselfishly and with kindness, or who have shown acts of bravery."

BILL Smith co-founded the Fareham Lions in 1960 and has spent more than 40 years raising money for the people and charities of the town.

The 83-year-old, who lives in Redlands Lane with his wife Hilda, was a churchwarden for three years and was even behind the fundraising to build St John's Church and the church hall 40 years ago.

He spent many years as Fareham's Father Christmas as well as getting involved with the Parent Teacher Association when his children Alan and Gillian were at school in the town.

Despite suffering from diabetes, Bill remains very active and urges young people to get involved with the Lions.

He said: "It's been a great time and I've met such a lot of people. It's wonderful to be involved in a community group to raise money for people not so well off as yourself."

YOUNG carer and church volunteer Becky Kettle has been named Fareham's young citizen of the year.

Becky Kettle dedicates much of her spare time to young people.

She helps out at Fareham Community Church's kids club and spends the school holidays helping with her school's playscheme.

Becky, a student at Henry Cort Community School, also volunteers at the Well bookshop and caf and spends time much of her time caring for her mum who suffers from manic depression.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Lechlade Gardens with her family, said: "I'm really pleased but I was so shocked. I knew I had been nominated by my youth leader but I didn't think I would win. I just thought it was a bit of fun."

Becky is currently studying for ten GCSEs and plans to study A levels in religious studies, human biology, sociology and history with German.

She hopes to become a youth worker, possibly within the church.

BERYL Pagdin has spent more than 50 years devoting her time to Scouting.

The 90-year-old, of Park Lane, joined the movement in 1948 when she founded the 12th Fareham Cub Scout Group, now known as the 2nd Portchester group.

Mrs Pagdin, often helped by her husband Edward, juggled caring for her son Trevor, teaching at Fareham Park Infant School and organising activities for the Cubs for 27 years.

Not wanting to retire completely, the grandmother-of-two then took on the role of district badge secretary in 1975, a job she still has today.

Mrs Pagdin said: "I love meeting people and helping them with their badges. I think it's a really worthwhile organisation, which really does help boys and girls. I was so surprised to get the award. I knew nothing about it. It's a great honour, but I don't like a lot of fuss."