Community Star rewarded

Clare Bowen (right) has been honoured for getting people involved in the F Factor fitness programme run by Festival Housing. (s)

A DROITWICH woman has won a room or garden makeover after she was named as Festival Housing's 2012 Community Star recently.

Clare Bowen was handed the honour as a result of her commitment to volunteering for the housing association’s F Factor fitness programme.

During 2011 Clare, who struggles with her own health, not only joined the F Factor fitness programme but also provided endless help and support to the project and the other tenants taking part.

The F Factor is a fitness programme aimed at improving the lives of Festival Housing tenants through a wide variety of classes and sports activities.

Clare had not been doing any exercise at all before she joined the F Factor but is now one of the programme’s most vocal of supporters.

The community champion lives in Droitwich with her supportive husband Antony and has been volunteering for more than 18 months.

She organises classes for other tenants and when she is too ill to take part she comes along with her husband as a spectator so she doesn’t let anyone down.

Clare said: "I am amazed to have won an award for what I do because I love it. The F Factor has changed my life, I feel a lot better about myself and we are happier as a family.

"I volunteer because I would love other people to feel like I do, just a little bit of exercise can go a long way," she added.

F Factor co-ordinator Caroline Winnall, said: "I am so proud that Clare has won this award. It takes a very special person to put

your own health issues to one side and help other people and Clare is one of those special people."

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