A VOLUNTEER who has spent more than a decade battling to preserve a Chester pathway is the latest Your Champions nominee.

Audrey Hodgkinson, of Sefton Road, Hoole, has been put forward for the Person of the Year accolade in recognition of her work leading the Friends of the Millennium Greenway.

“I know I do a lot, but then so do a lot of other people,” said Audrey, 75, who was born in Chester.

She began her battle to preserve the Greenway in 1998 when it came under threat from a planned bus lane.

“I said – along with a lot of other people – that we needed a safe place for people to get out of their cars and walk or cycle in safety,” said Audrey.

After the pathway was saved, she founded the Friends to help the Council maintain the traffic-free route.

She has since organised regular litter picks, bulb and tree planting and other improvements, turning the pathway into a haven for cyclists, walkers and horse riders.

“All in all it’s been a real success. It’s extremely busy, it really is.

“People say to me ‘why do you work so hard?’. But you have only got to look at the little children’s faces. It’s lovely. It gives me a warm glow.”

She thanked her children and husband Ralph for their support.

Audrey was nominated by friend and supporter Peter Moore Dutton, of Tushingham.

He said: “It’s Audrey’s tenacity that’s really kept it going. It’s been instrumental in the Greenway being extended and looked after.

“Every time that she’s tried to take a step back, delegate the responsibility, it’s ground to a halt.

“She is a great giver and helper. So many people in Chester have a lot to be grateful to Audrey for.”

To help out with the Friends’ volunteer work, email Audrey at Audhodgkinson@aol.com.