Mansfield Rotary has honoured a popular community stalwart for his tireless work to go the extra mile helping others.

David Edwards was presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship at Mansfield Rotary’s 94th Charter Night at the Hostess Restaurant, Sookholme.

The honour is the highest recognition Rotary can bestow on an individual and David received the award from past president Rotn Paul Bacon and current president Rotn Karen Johnson.

David is a well-known figure among community groups in the district for organising travel.

Presenting him with the Fellowship, Paul said: “He really is a special person who deserves the Paul Harris Fellowship.

“Dave is a friend of Mansfield Rotary. He’s a cameraman for Junior Showtime and other functions and events that we hold — and he does all of this out of the goodness of his heart.

“He does things for others with such generosity and kindness because he’s that sort of person.

“He also organises travel for lots of people for nothing. He’s like a private, unfunded travel agent for lots of elderly, walking, and line dancing groups as well as a Polish club — for which he learned Polish.

“He does all of this to make sure people have a better quality of life.”

Previous recipients of the award include Mansfield’s Rebecca Adlington, who won two swimming gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Pamela Cook, founder of the town’s internationally-acclaimed choir, Cantamus.

ABOVE: David Edwards (second right) was presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship by past president Rotn Paul Bacon and president Rotn Karen Johnson (right). Also pictured is David’s wife, Liz.