Teresa Loynd, owner of Woolbrook News, has been named Sidmouth’s Citizen of the Year 2022.

Sidmouth Rotary Club awarded the prize for her dedication to supporting the local community, and in particular to supporting Ukrainian women and children and their host families.

She received a certificate and an engraved Dartington vase from Sidmouth Rotary president Bob Underhill and the chair of the town council Cllr Chris Lockyear at the Victoria Hotel on Wednesday, March 8.

They both paid tribute to Teresa’s dedication in using Woolbrook News as a base for helping the community throughout Covid, and more recently in providing material support, friendship and English classes for the women and children from Ukraine. Using her contacts she collected clothing, toys, bicycles, and supplies. Children were kitted out in school uniforms at no cost to the Ukrainians or to the host families.

On receiving the award Teresa said: “I am humbled to receive this award. I am just fortunate to be able to collect and distribute the items kindly donated by the good people of Sidmouth. The clothing, shoes, toiletries and toys soon outstripped my premises, so the Fire Service kindly gave me use of the unused ambulance station.

“I would like to thank Sidmouth for welcoming the Ukrainian families into their homes and although there are so many people that deserve thanks I want to especially mention Mukie Gosrani, who helped settle the families, and Jan Rayner for volunteering to sort the donations.

“We still need the generosity of the community in hosting as there are still women and children needing to be housed and in providing household items for those moving into rented accommodation.”

The Citizen of the Year is organised by Sidmouth Rotary Club and promoted through the Herald. It invites townspeople to nominate candidates who have made a real difference to town life in the preceding year; these can include charity workers or people who act on their own initiative to benefit the local community.

This year 28 nominations were received for 11 individuals, revealing the strength of community support for a wide variety of caring activities across all sectors of the community.

Teresa’s name will be entered on to the Board of Honour at the town council offices, along with those of past Citizen of the Year winners.