Express & Star

Wolverhampton Lions Club honours 40th citizen of the year

A selfless volunteer has been named as citizen of the year by Wolverhampton Lions Club.

Published
Janine Lane from Grayling Walk, Wednesfield, receives her Citzen of the Year Award from Trevor Jones of Wolverhampton Lions Club

Janine Lane has been honoured by the group for her volunteer work with Central Youth Theatre.

The 42-year-old was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in Wolverhampton back in 1994, sustaining a head injured and broken leg.

Janine also suffered a stroke which has left her with ongoing weakness in her left side.

This meant she has been unable to work full-time, but she still finds time to help out once or twice a week doing admin work at the youth theatre.

Janine said: "For a long time after what happened I was very low.

"My life had changed so much and I tried to do some qualifications but really struggled.

"But I got involved with the youth theatre around 10 years ago and I'm there once or twice a week.

"It's something I enjoy and it gives me something to do.

"Helping them in a small way allows them to be able to do what they need to do."

Janine, of Grayling Walk, Wednesfield, said she was surprised and delighted to be honoured.

She said: "I had to read the letter two or three times to work out exactly what it meant – but when I realised I felt it was so nice.

"But I don't do what I do for the recognition – it's just something I do.

"I feel honoured the Lions Club considered me and that the Central Youth Theatre put me forward."

Club president Trevor Jones said Janine was well deserving of being named its 40th citizen of the year.

He said: "We picked Janine because she has been working at the Central Youth Theatre for quite some time doing voluntary work, including admin.

"She does an awful lots of work behind the scenes.

"When you consider what she has gone through, what's happened to her and how she's fought back and overcome all the problems we thought that was a fantastic achievement.

"She's always happy and cheerful and tries to do as much as she can for Central Youth Theatre.

"We're delighted to be able to give her this award."