Mayor’s Award will remember Dudley teenager Ben Corfield

The 19-year-old, who was an active community member and charity fundraiser, tragically lost his life in a road traffic incident in November last year.

Councillor Sue Greenaway, the borough’s first citizen, has chosen three young people who have stood out for their volunteering and charity work to contest the award, which will be decided by a public vote.

Emma Macklin, aged 13, has raised more than £10,000 for Mary Stevens Hospice in memory of her ‘nanna’, completing several long walks and scaling mountains.

Callum Nock, aged 17, has been nominated for his work since the age of 13 in setting up a Friends group at Pensnett Coppice.

And Katie-Jayne Wood, aged 14, has been helping organise Halesowen Carnival since 2015 and raising money for charities such as Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

L-r - Mayor's Award nominees Katie Jayne Wood, Emma Macklin and Callum Nock. Pics - Dudley Council (Image: Dudley Council)

The Mayor met Ben’s parents, Damian and Lynette Corfield, to launch the award, with voting now open online at mayorofdudley.org.uk/mayorsaward until Tuesday March 21.

Cllr Greenaway, the Mayor, said: "The three nominees have all shown an admirable sense of selflessness to either raise money for charity or work to make their communities better places, as Ben did.

"They are all winners, but of course there can only be one recipient of the award. The public vote is now open, and I would urge people to pick their favourite."

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways, said: "We’re both blown away that the Mayor is acknowledging Ben’s commitment to championing others by naming this award after him.

"We have some wonderful young people in Dudley, and for them to be acknowledged with an award in Ben’s name would make him so proud."

The winner will be announced at the Mayor’s Ball and Civic Awards at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Friday March 31.