AN unassuming married couple have received a special award for their unstinting volunteering to their area.

Rosanne and Geoffrey Fielding were selected as recipients of the prestigious Above and Beyond Award by a judging panel headed up by members of the Saddleworth and Lees District partnership.

The coveted Above and Beyond jade plaque and framed certificate are presented to unsung men, women and children who got the extra mile to help a friend or neighbour or their wider Saddleworth community.

Now in their fourth year, the award recipients nominated by the public, have no idea they have been selected to receive recognition for their sterling work.

The Fieldings are involved with the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group where Geoffrey is vice chairman.

After a lifetime in the automotive industry, he set up his own business with a friend and retired after selling the business.

The couple who lived in Delph, immersed themselves in the local community until moving to Scouthead in 2013.

Rosanne is a volunteer librarian at Delph library and works at Dr Kershaw's Hospice Shop in Lees. She also acted as a volunteer classroom assistant at St Anne's primary school, Lydgate.

In addition, they work with Joan and Paul Sykes from the SACG at Waterhead Academy helping with special needs children in the garden project and listening to them reading.

Joan Sykes, SACG retiring chair, said: “Roseanne and Geoffrey are always at the front of the queue when volunteering is needed. They encompass the true community ethos.”

Do YOU know someone who is deserving of an Above and Beyond Award? We’d like to hear from you.

Email your choice to: kd_bennett@yahoo.co.uk or contact him by messenger in confidence with your nomination on Facebook.