A DEDICATED volunteer has received a very special award in recognition of 20 years of dedicated service to the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Jenny Ashman, from Inkberrow, has been presented with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Evesham.

The Paul Harris Fellow Award is the highest honour a Rotary Club can bestow. Mrs Ashman's achievement is all the more impressive as the award is rarely presented to anyone who is not a Rotary member.

Mrs Ashman was recognised for her significant voluntary fundraising support of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, helping to raise over £1.6 million for the service.

Evesham Rotary Club treasurer, Martin King, said: “Evesham Rotary Club has been privileged to know Jenny for many years, as and she is our connection to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

"Two events occurred earlier this year, which led to Jenny’s fellowship – we learnt that she was named National Air Ambulance Volunteer of the Year, plus she gave a presentation earlier this year at the Rotary District Conference where we saw just how much she aligned herself of the Rotary motto of ‘service above self'.

“This is first time that Evesham Rotary Club has made a non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow, which is an indication of the club’s regard for her dedication and commitment to the communities that Midlands Air Ambulance serves.”

Mrs Ashman said: “I am honoured to have been given the Paul Harris Fellow, and I’ve been on cloud nine ever since receiving it.

"I truly enjoy volunteering with the charity and have been blessed by a terrific level of support from local fundraisers and donors.”

Jason Levy, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Jenny is extremely deserving of this honour and we are extremely lucky that she chose to volunteer for us all those years ago, through her voluntary activities and the tremendous support she receives from local fundraisers, she has helped fund over 640 life saving missions in the Midlands area.”