TWO Silhillians were honoured at the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Outstanding Citizens Awards 2025.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster was joined by deputy PCC Wasim Ali and West Midlands Victims’ Advocate Natalie Queiroz to honour extraordinary individuals and community groups who go above and beyond to make a difference.
Sam Jackson and Bobby-Ray Fitzpatrick came out on top in the Outstanding Citizen and Outstanding Young Citizen (Under 18) categories respectively.
Sam is a lifelong volunteer whose service as a community first responder, police special constable, mentor, and fundraiser has touched thousands of lives.
Bobby-Ray, from Yardley, was joint winner in his category after he set up a flower stall to fund lifesaving bleed control kits. Bobby-Ray’s award was collected by his mum, Jodie Fitzpatrick, on his behalf.
Other winners included Robina Begum’s Binni’s Bladez, a pioneering fencing initiative empowering Muslim women and bringing diverse communities together through sport in the Outstanding Community Project.
The runner-up was Coventry Boys and Girls Club’s MAC Project, which provides prevention and mentoring programmes.
The Outstanding Contribution to Supporting Victims of Crime award was presented to Marcia Lewinson, chief executive of Women Acting in Today’s Society (WAITS). Marcia has dedicated decades of leadership to supporting more than 10,000 women affected by domestic abuse and exclusion.
The Outstanding Contribution to Tackling Knife Crime in Communities award went to Laura Mace, founder of The Alive Wellness CIC Centre, which supports young people affected by knife crime.
The ceremony also recognised the PCC’s network of Independent Custody Visitors, Appropriate Adults and Scrutiny Panel Chairs, with volunteers receiving long service awards for 10 and 20 years of dedicated service – individuals who play a vital role in safeguarding fairness and accountability within West Midlands Police.
Mr Foster said: “It was a tremendous privilege to recognise the outstanding citizens of our region – the people who embody the very best of the West Midlands. These awards remind us that true strength lies in compassion, courage and community.
“Each nominee and winner has made an extraordinary contribution to making our region safer, stronger and fairer. Their dedication, selflessness and determination to help others are truly inspirational.”
