YOUTH worker Ian Ball has been nominated for a Community Hero award after helping kids in the Dearne for three decades.
The 57 year-old from Goldthorpe officially retired at the start of this year, but began his career in 1985, working with unemployed youngsters during the miners' strike.
From there he began taking groups from Thurnscoe and Goldthorpe on camping and outdoor activity trips, to offer children in the Dearne a different experience and teach them life skills.
Although he has had many personal issues to overcome and recently lost his wife to cancer, Ian's commitment to his volunteer work has never wavered.
Ian said: "For someone to recognise me by nominating me for a Proud of Barnsley award is to recognise everyone I have worked with over the years.
"You can't do it without a team. Every community needs one, two or three activists, someone who is going to shout up on behalf of others, but they can't do it without help and support."
