Alan Knell, 33, from Runcorn and Stephen Hill, 52, from Warrington were voted “Hero of the Month” for January and February respectively by colleagues at G4S. The duo topped an online poll of the outsourcing company’s national workforce, beating eight other entries. 

Alan, who works as an insurance claims investigator, fund-raises in his spare time for a charity called Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which provides free holidays for the families of armed services’ personnel killed in action.  Last year, he raised £6,000 by running 40 miles along the Wirral peninsular with one of his G4S workmates.

Stephen works with offenders on electronic tag, but is also a volunteer party leader for Cheshire Search and Rescue.  He has been involved in a number of high profile searches in the North West and Wales, including that of missing teenager Nathan Taylor and schoolgirl April Jones. 

On receiving his award, Alan said:

“Scotty’s is dedicated to supporting the children of men and women killed in action and I hope this award helps to encourage other families who qualify for help come forward.  We’ve just opened a second holiday home in Blackpool but we are already looking forward to our next fundraising effort – a record breaking 25-hour long rugby match.”

Stephen said:

 “It was great to be recognised for this work but this cheque is going straight to the coffers of Cheshire Search and Rescue so that we can keep helping the emergency services and missing people in the North West.”

G4S is one of the UK’s largest employers, with more than 170 people employed from the Widnes and Runcorn region.