WHEN women face the terrifying prospect of a forced marriage at least there is one woman they can turn to for help.

Sabera Mulla, from Dewsbury, dedicates much of her spare time helping Asian women in her community like Nasreen Hussain, who found herself in an arranged marriage with no-one to turn to.

Nominating Sabera for Friend of the Year, Nasreen said: “She really helps people, especially women in forced marriages or with abusive husbands – she got me out when nobody in my family or community helped.

“No matter when or where or any time of the day, she’s there to help.”

Despite her job as a support worker at Savile Town Infant and Nursery School, Sabera always makes time to be there for those who need help and advice.

She also works to provide women with education opportunities and has set up exercise classes and sports groups, including the first women’s rounders team in England which is heading to the 2012 Olympics.

Sabera, a Kirklees UNISON officer, said: “If anybody needs help, I never say no!

“But I feel quite privileged knowing I can make a difference.”

IT’S difficult to imagine a couple more committed to community life than Terry Goodall and Iris Bettney.

They dedicate time to ensure that their Dewsbury community – including the vulnerable and less fortunate – have their voices heard and needs catered for.

The couple have transformed Thornhill Lees Senior Citizens Social Centre into a place the older people can thoroughly enjoy.

They did this by turning wasteground into a sensory garden and transforming part of the centre to create a computer room and meeting rooms.

Terry and Iris – who live in Thornhill Lees – are also heavily involved with the Fletcher Charity, helping provide homes for disadvantaged people.

Other groups they are involved with include the Dewsbury and District Pensioners’ Association and Dewsbury South Tenant Alliance.

Terry said: “We do work hard but seeing the smiles on people’s faces makes it all worthwhile.

“If people didn’t do things for their community, they would be a poorer place to live.”

THEY say everybody needs good neighbours.

And Betty Wise is particularly lucky – because she’s got plenty.

The 73-year-old’s neighbours are always there to give her a helping hand, from doing her shopping to inviting her round for tea.

And these kind gestures mean everything to Betty, of Bradley, who suffers from emphysema and is permanently on oxygen.

This means she relies on others to help her with everyday tasks and that’s where her neighbours are only too willing to step in.

Andrew and Victoria Moxen and Adele Eccles – who live either side of Betty on Bradley Road – are always on hand to help, while friend Christine Munt lives on nearby Leeds Road.

Despite being injured in a crash, Andrew helps Betty when he can while his nurse wife, Victoria, looks after her when she’s unwell.

Other ways the neighbours show they care include inviting Betty round for tea.

Betty’s daughter, Cheryl, nominated them all for Friend of the Year.

“They have all been fantastic at helping my mum,’’ she said. “It’s really comforting knowing that she’s well looked after even if I’m not there.

“This is my way of saying thank you.”