Helping Herts, the official charity of the Stort Valley Rotary Club is delighted to announce the winner of the Helping Herts Hero Award 2024. The award, launched during Helping Herts Week (1st-5th July), aims to celebrate individuals in Hertfordshire who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in their local community.
Members of the public were invited to nominate their Herts Hero during Helping Herts Week. After reviewing all the nominations, the Helping Herts team selected Ian Hirst as the Helping Herts Hero for 2024.
Ian Hirst, a Royston resident, has been instrumental in the success of the Helping Herts walking fundraising challenges. He dedicates his time to working with The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way to maintain footpaths and lead walking groups. This award recognises Ian’s outstanding contributions and his commitment to enhancing the Hertfordshire community.
Ian and his colleagues at the Friends of the Hertfordshire Way have been pivotal in supporting the Great Big Walk for Herts, which will take place this year on Saturday 28th September. The Friends of the Hertfordshire Way have supported the event by providing guided walkers around all sections of the Hertfordshire Way in previous years. For the 2024 Great Big Walk, they specially designed 12 loops, each a half-marathon in length, for each of the 12 Helping Herts charity partners to adopt.
Co-Founder of Helping Herts, Jim Tatchell said: “Here at Helping Herts, we are tremendously grateful to Ian for leading these efforts and for guiding us over many weeks with his customary good-natured and patient leadership!”
Gordon Morrison, President of Stort Valley Rotary and Co-Founder of Helping Herts, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Congratulations Ian. Thanks for everything you do!”
Upon receiving the award, Ian Hirst said, “Thanks very much. It’s a pleasure working with the team and something I enjoy. Walking in Hertfordshire is a big part of my life.”
For more information on the Helping Herts campaign, please visit: www.helpingherts.com
