'Mr Sammy' honoured with trophy

The nickname refers to the lengthy association between Peter Wells and Sammy Community Transport.

So many people link him with the charity that they call him by its name when they see him in the town.

His role as the transport link's manager for 11 years until recently led to him receiving the 2008 good citizen's award from Bognor's mayor, Cllr Don Eldridge.

Cllr Eldridge used his recent civic reception to present the Ross Memorial Cup to an unsuspecting Mr Wells.

He described Mr Wells as a man who has helped in improving the quality of many peoples' lives in Bognor.

'He is somebody quite important to the town as far as charities are concerned,' he said.

Mr Wells (66), of Kyoto Court, said he was honoured to be the third recipient of the trophy.

'I was completely unaware of this. I didn't even know the trophy existed.

'I'm sure there are lots of other people in the town just as worthy of it as myself.'

He moved to Bognor in 1972. He managed the town's ambulance station for six years before he moved on to other posts in the emergency service during his near 30 years with it.

He left in 1994 and joined Sammy three years later after a series of short-term roles.

He has also been the chairman of Shopmobility, a committee for Bognor Regis Pier and the chamber of commerce's lights committee.

Other organisations and events which have benefited from his time and experience have included the Scouts, Bognor Prom 10k race, the Sands of Time, the Birdman, the police specials and cadets.