Rebecca Meggs

Said the following about Sharon Smith:

“Working full-time and supporting her colleagues, peer and workers simply isn’t enough for Sharon, she wants to do more! She goes above and beyond to support her community.

To her friends and the local community, Sharon is known as a humble hero. She is the embodiment of someone who lives for others. In the rail sector, she is known as the Resourcing Manager for the McGinley Central and West Coast Mainline team on CP6 Frontline labour.

During COVID-19, Sharon worked as a local community champion who volunteered during lockdown for prescription runs and NHS medication for those who were isolating. She went shopping and took in unwanted games, books and clothes for those who were in need, and spent days and nights delivering to those who needed assistance.

She also organised teams to feed people and deliver warm drinks. They donated coats, hoodies and tracksuits and bought hats and scarves for the homeless too. She even took part in the ‘Big Sleepout’ with friends and colleagues to raise awareness and vital funds for the local homeless charities. And boy was it chilly!

She was instrumental in encouraging her friends and colleagues to create a fairy garden with ornaments and tied gifts to local trees for children to find when out getting exercise. She then continued her charitable efforts with litter picking and anything else she could do to help others during this time. For example, she persuaded Netball club colleagues to give up their subs to support a local boy aged 15 who had terminal cancer. They agreed (Sharon is good at twisting arms!) to donate to his cause so he could have his room decorated and enjoy his last days.

In recognition of her sterling community efforts, she received a card from the Solihull Mayor and was featured on the Wall of Fame in Solihull town centre that was set up to thank the local volunteers.

She is also very sporty and again lives to help others. She is heavily involved as a coach to the North Solihull Stars netball squad, supporting youngsters and adults to develop their love and knowledge of the game. She continues to play and is also a qualified Level C umpire supporting the leagues in the West Midlands.

And to top all of this off, Sharon got involved in volunteering at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022, assisting the England Netball squad during the tournament.

All we can say about this amazing work is Thank you!“