A TOP young fencer and a teenager who helped rescue a junior football team from collapse were among the winners at the Malvern Hills District Community Sports Awards.

More than 200 dignitaries, guests and nominees packed into the Bank House Hotel.

A total of 60 nominations were submitted for the 13 awards, run by Malvern Hills District Council and headline sponsored by Freedom Leisure.

Those recognised on the night included 17-year-old Hayden Bell who won Young Volunteer of the Year after donating his time to coach Leigh and Bransford Badgers Under 7s football team and preventing the side from folding.

Volunteer of the Year went to 86-year-old gymnastics coach Jim Cooling while David ‘Ern’ Robbins was presented with the Unsung Hero Award for 20 years service to Malvern RFC.

Malvern Hills RFC’s Youth Section took the Club of the Year title having seen a 14 per cent year on year increase in the number of children involved and a 40 per cent rise in volunteers.

The Positive Change Award went to Megan Judge who took up running to overcome health issues and now coaches a Couch to 5k programme to help others get active.

She also ran the London Marathon, raising more than £2,000 for anorexia and bulimia care in the process.

Danielle Lawson was named Sports Personality of the Year after becoming Britain’s number one ranked under-20 female epee fencer and number 52 in the world.

She was also a member of the British under-20 women’s epee team for the World Championships and secured top spot in the Cole Cup FIE International Satellite women’s epee.

Full list of winners: Community Project of the Year: Pendock Spring Chicken Race Inclusive Project of the Year: Swim Inspiration Sports School of the Year: The Chase Team of the Year: Motionesque Lyrical Jazz Team Coach of the Year: John Rees Club of the Year: Malvern Hills RFC Youth Section Positive Change of the Year: Megan Judge Young Volunteer of the Year: Hayden Bell Volunteer of the Year: James ‘Jim’ Cooling Young Female Sports Personality of the Year: Lucy Walton Young Male Sports Personality of the Year: Jack Haynes Sports Personality of the Year: Danielle Lawson Unsung Hero of the Year: David ‘Ern’ Robins.