Bank managerreceives 'local hero' award

Andy Davey, the Bognor branch manager for HSBC was only one of 33 staff members around the globe to pick up the award.

He was recognised for his services to the community and to the environment. He said his sons Harry (five) and Cameron (two) spurred him on to help save the environment.

'I've always loved the countryside,' he said. 'We're very lucky living here, with the beach four or five minutes away on one side, the Downs on the other. But until the boys came along, I only ever really enjoyed the environment; now I want to help it too.

'I am accepting the award on behalf of my 11 European colleagues from my time at the Earthwatch Regional Climate Centre, any one of whom is at least as deserving as me.'

Earlier in the year he spent two weeks working alongside researchers at the Earthwatch Europe Regional Climate Centre, at Wytham Woods just outside Oxford.

The project was part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, which aims to tackle the threat of climate change.

During his time at the centre, Andy helped to collect vital data to help scientists understand how forests are responding to climate change, and how best to manage them in the future.

With his Local Hero award, Andy was given 5,000 dollars to donate to the community project of his choice. He gave it to Bosham Primary School, which is recognised for championing environmental projects.

Mr Davey is also a regular volunteer for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) at their Arundel site. As his involvement with WWT grew, Andy came up with a proposal, which turned into 20,000 worth of HSBC sponsorship, for a kingfisher bank.

This project caught the attention of Earthwatch, and groups of HSBC employees now regularly help out with practical conservation work there through the HSBC Climate Partnership.