A PROUD community hero who clinched a top award for helping people in police custody will divide her prize money to help different causes.

Yvonne Weinling was picked to win the first Outstanding Contribution to Community Safety award at the Police and Crime Commissioner Awards for Essex.

In 11 years of volunteering for Clacton Appropriate Adults Service , Yvonne has helped hundreds of young and vulnerable people after they have been taken into police custody.

She was nominated for the award by Clacton police station’s custody sergeant Dave Beverley.

Speaking for the first time since winning the award, Yvonne said: “I was so proud. I couldn’t believe it when my name was called.

“I got up to go and get it and I started crying, but in a wonderful way. It means so much for people to recognise the work I put in."

Along with the award, Yvonne was given £500 to support her community work.

She has now decided to give half of that to Clacton-based knife crime campaign charity Only Cowards Carry.

Yvonne plans to ask police where the other £250 would be best spent for the Clacton community.