A gardener from Fareham has been recognised for his work in the community after being named as the fourth annual SGS Engineering Local Hero Awards winner.

Mark Donaghy won 98 per cent of the public vote put forward by the engineering company, claiming a £1,000 cash prize, as well as the title of ‘2024 Local Hero.’

Mark is well known in the community for moving the flowerpots regularly near the windows of his housebound customers so they can see different flowers each week.

He also donates his time to the local primary schools in the area, cutting back the pond areas and clearing the grounds to give back to the community after they supported him and his wife through the loss of their youngest daughter in stillbirth.

READ MORE: Burgess Road eatery withdraws seating area application

Discussing his win, Mark commented: “I would like to thank everyone involved and who voted for the amazing award.

“I am still shocked that I won, I try to help people as much as possible whenever I can. Especially our community schools as I am aware of the difficulties, they face with budget restrictions these days.”

He added: “Our local community has helped us as a family over the years, which I always remember and like to repay that support wherever possible.

“The prize fund will be used towards a well-deserved family holiday.”

Neil Sansom, CEO at SGS Engineering comments: “Across the UK, there are so many tradespeople doing unsung things in their community, and we are so happy to continue highlighting these heroes with the Local Hero Award.

“Every year we receive stories that we haven’t heard before, and without these awards will have gone unrecognised, which is why the awards are so important.

“The whole SGS Engineering team want to congratulate and thank all the tradespeople nominated for their sterling work. A special thank you must go out to Mark for his amazing work in his local community, and well done to all the finalists for being recognised as well.”