A VOLUNTEER lifeguard trainer from Bournemouth has been given an award to recognise his 27 years of contribution to the community.

Bill Ezekiel of the Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club has received a Halifax Giving Extra Award winner for giving up his time to help young people to keep others safe in the water.

The scheme, which is now in its third year, aims to reward those who bring communities together and help them to thrive, such as charity fundraisers, sports coaches and community volunteers.

Bill was nominated by Alexander Peek, a member of the club's committee, as somebody who goes above and beyond to help others.

After being handed the award, Bill said: "I was surprised but also delighted to win a Halifax Giving Extra Award. It was such an honour to just be nominated, so I am hugely proud to have actually won. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the rest of the team."

Bill volunteers as a trainer and assessor of lifeguards and first aiders on Southbourne Beach and is a national deputy chief examiner. He works with more than 150 young people at the Southbourne Surf Life-Saving Club and tirelessly fundraises for their first aid and training facilities.

He has been involved in training or assessing well over 100 lifeguards.

Denise Lawrence, community ambassador for Halifax Dorset, said: "The work that Bill has done for the community is outstanding and truly deserves this recognition.

"He has truly gone the extra mile for people in our community and we are delighted to recognise this."

Bill Ezekiel is one of 66 local Halifax Giving Extra Award winners, each of whom will get £300 worth of Supercheque vouchers. The local winners will now be put forward in the hope of becoming one of seven regional winners, which will be announced at the end of February, who will each receive £5,000 to make a further difference to their community.

For more information, go to Halifax.co.uk/givingextraawards