Community groups and charities have been praised as part of an awards ceremony.

Community Action Hertsmere hosted the small groups and charities award ceremony on Friday to celebrate and recognise their hard work and contribution to the area.

The celebration was opened by the Mayor of Hertsmere councillor Carey Keates, with a number of special guests from the community attending.

Firefighter of 27 years Bob Williams was named one of the winners at the ceremony, held in Allum Lane Community Centre.

Mr Williams, who juggles various different responsibilities including his work as a fireman, a professional boxing referee and his sports memorablia company, earned his honour today for his work with boxing scheme Box Cleva.

The scheme has been running since 2010 and has continued to expand all over the county, with 350 children and teenagers in Borehamwood benefiting from it.

He said: “There were no non-contact schemes like this were around when I was a kid. Now it is all about developing the children's discipline, respect and getting them off the xbox to allow them to communicate properly.”

Lots of groups and charities won awards throughout the afternoon, including Borehamwood Air Cadets, Borehamwood Food Bank and Hertsmere Interfaith Forum.

Another winner was John Heritage, who is the Chairman of Breathe Easy in West Hertfordshire.

The 71-year-old was diagnosed with emphysema seven years ago, but has since turned this into a positive by becoming very active with the British Lung Foundation.

He said: “I was going to step down for a year but they won't let me.”

Mr Heritage was supported at the event by his wife Linda, who explained that the group have organised two day trips recently to Great Yarmouth and Brighton where around 30 people with breathing problems were able to attend.

Heather Walsh, chief executive for the project, was happy about the day’s proceedings, however, looked at the reality about the need for funding.

She said: “Any potential funders should have a look at our website to see the variety of things we do.”

For more information, visit: www.communityactioninhertsmere.org