Last updated 13:31, Friday, 14 March 2008

A couple who clocked up 95 years as volunteers and a health worker who helped identify Lockerbie bomb victims were among those honoured at Carlisle’s Civic Awards.

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Standing in: Trevor Hebdon, who picked up John Nixon’s award on his behalf, with Mrs Mallinson and Mike Mitchelson

The seventh city awards ceremony was held in The Shepherd’s Inn last week and recognised those who have made outstanding contributions.

John and Joyce Hine have together racked up nearly a century of volunteering for cerebral palsy.

Joyce, who has been a member of the Cerebral Palsy Association for more than 50 years, is believed to be the charity’s longest serving volunteer. John comes in just behind his wife, with 45 years of service.

The couple, who live on London Road, are both members of the Carlisle fundraising branch of the county-wide organisation.

Joyce is also a member of the support workers’ action committee.

Douglas Baptie, the charity’s information and marketing officer, said: “We are very touched that people like John and Joyce are prepared to devote so much time and energy to our fundraising and the work we do. John and Joyce’s commitment over such a long period is a testament to them. Without them and our volunteers we would not be able to do what we do.”

Gail Jefferson, North West Radiographer of the Year, was honoured for her work helping to identify victims of the Lockerbie bombing, the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers and the July 7 London tube and bus explosions.

She works at the Cumberland Infirmary and lectures at St Martin’s College, Lancaster.

Other recipients included retired Squadron Leader Tony Parrini, who received an MBE in 2007 for his services to the community, helping the Royal British Legion, the RAF Association and the Christian Ecumenical Movement. He is also soon to be the Rotary Club’s district governor, serving as leader of all 75 Rotary Clubs in Cumbria and Lancashire.

Carlisle United MD and former Pirelli’s director John Nixon, and Major Mel Robinson, who helped residents after the 2005 floods in Carlisle and worked to help a Romanian orphanage for 15 years, were also honoured.

The awards followed the annual civic dinner with Cumbrian Newspapers’ editorial director Neil Hodgkinson proposing a toast to the city, and Chief Constable Craig Mackey responding.

Council leader Mike Mitchelson said: “We established the awards as a way of recognising some of the outstanding contributions that some of our citizens of Carlisle have made.

“The awards reflect the drive and determination of people within our local communities.

“I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all the winners and thank them all for their contribution to Carlisle and all who live and work here.”