Award for tireless community hero after 30 years of service
A Walsall woman who has been volunteering for more than 30 years has been presented with an award for her ongoing work for the community.
Balbir Seimar received her latest award from Walsall Women's Forum at a presentation at Walsall Council House, performed by Councillor Chris Towe.
The 63-year-old is no stranger to awards and has previously gained a Silver Medal from the Civil Service and an honour for outstanding work for charity.
During more than 30 years of volunteering Balbir has devoted her time to three main causes in homelessness, reducing crime and the environment.
A member of Walsall Police Strategic Community Reference Group, Balbir has helped ensure the local community is represented and supported.
She is also a Stand By Me Ambassador helping promote the reporting of hate crime.
Balbir has previously been recognised by the Operational Delivery profession for her community work which she has done alongside her day job and gained a Silver Medal.
Volunteering for more than 30 years, Balbir would often take annual leave to help others and now that she has partially retired is contributing even more by distributing food to the vulnerable and key workers, supporting charities to replenish food stocks, shopping for the isolated and by delivering medicine and a befriending service.
'Wonderful people'
Balbir said: "Seeing a sigh of relief, a smile, just makes it worthwhile.
"It energises and inspires support even more.
"The people I help are among the most wonderful people you will ever meet and it energises me to carry on and help improve their quality of life."
She also plays a key role with the World Against Single Use Plastic campaign which started in Walsall about three years ago and aims to raise awareness in schools about the dangers and to help persuade people and organisations to rethink the need for packaging and take part in litter-picking.
Balbir said the environment had been "an added bonus and helpful with her mental health and well-being".
She said that the Miss England pageant was working with WASUP campaign in helping raise awareness globally.
The campaign is also linked with the Commonwealth Games and she said there were "challenging and exciting times ahead".
Balbir said: "I highly recommend volunteering and think everyone should try to allocate time to get involved with the forthcoming Games.
"People might gain a lot of transferable skills, meet many exciting people and make lots of friends on the way."
Report by Sue Smith
