Hard working volunteers across the borough have been recognised and celebrated for their dedication and contribution to the community at the Mayor’s Voluntary Awards 2012.

The award ceremony took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday 2 October. The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Roger Newstead congratulated the winners and presented them with framed certificates to mark their commitment and contribution to the borough.

This year, 13 awards were given out. These included seven awards for individual volunteers, two awards for young volunteers, two team awards and two trustee awards.

Among those receiving awards, some of the volunteers had given the equivalent of nearly sixty years of service to the voluntary sector.

The Mayor congratulated all those who had won awards and said:

“I am always impressed by the number of people who volunteer to help in many different activities in the borough and in the quality of the work they do. However, more volunteers are needed, particularly to help the elderly and as leaders in our youth organisations.

“I hope that the success of the volunteers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games focuses attention on volunteering and brings in more recruits. This could be an unanticipated legacy of the Games.”

This is the ninth annual Mayor’s Volunteer Awards since the scheme was introduced in 2004 to recognise the contribution made by volunteers and to celebrate the role of the voluntary sector in serving the borough and its residents.

The annual awards scheme is organised by the Council in partnership with Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service.

Des Shepherd, Manager of Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service, said:

“Volunteers play an extremely important role in the community and it is wonderful when that role is celebrated and recognised. Congratulations to everyone who received an award.”

“These are hard working people who sacrifice their time to improve the borough. They are often unsung heroes in our community. We are always in need of more volunteers like those recognised by the Mayor’s Volunteer Awards.”

Mayor’s Volunteer Award winners 2012

Young Volunteer Award

• Katie Nash – St. John’s Ambulance, Redhill
• Alicia Newman – Reigate and Redhill Live at Home Scheme

Individual Volunteer Awards

• Jack Parker – Radio Redhill
• Brian Legg – Horley Crusaders
• Karen Tilford-Carey – The Pathfinder Beaver Colony in Horley
• Frank Ware – Friends of East Surrey Hospital
• Michael Leonard – East Surrey Talking Newspaper
• Yvonne Larg – East Surrey Talking Newspaper
• John Gilford – St John’s Ambulance, Surrey District Division

Volunteer Team Awards

• Volunteer Chef Team – Reigate & Redhill Live at Home Scheme
• Team Myers – Reigate & Redhill YMCA

Trustee Awards

• The Trustee Team of The Woodhatch Centre, Reigate
• Nigel Gray – Radio Redhill

Article from redhillcouncillors