North West Blood Bikers chief and PIES founder honoured at Rotary Awards

National Rotary President Denis Spiller, Cumbria and Lancashire District Governor Larry Branyan, IPDG Malcolm Baldwin and NCVO Chair Peter Kellner.

Norman Yates, from Preston South Club, walked away with a prestigious Champions of Change Award — one of only 12 awarded this year in Great Britain and Ireland.

Norman has been singled out for helping starving and orphaned children in Swaziland — taking them off the streets, feeding and educating them through organisation PIES. He said: “In helping establish this facility and life changing opportunities for the children it has fulfilled the very meaning of service above self and how Rotary makes a difference. My wife and I are honoured to have been at the City Hall, Cardiff, meeting so many other Rotarians and Community Champions who give their time and talents so unstintingly.”

Rotary GBI President Denis Spiller, Cumbria and Lancashire District Governor Larry Branyan, Awardee Norman Yates and NCVO Chair Peter Kellner.

North West Blood Bikers chief Paul Brook was also honoured as Community Champion for his part in establishing the North West Blood Bikes. Immediate Past District Governor Malcolm Baldwin received the award on Paul’s behalf from National Council for Voluntary Organisations Peter Kellner and National Rotary President Denis Spiller, as Paul was at the funeral of fellow Blood Biker Russell Curwen, who died whilst on duty. Read more: /fleet-of-200-bikes-to-pay-tribute-to-tragic-blood-biker-at-funeral-1-9159822