Hereford Volunteers of the Year Awards - the full story

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Herefordshire Voluntary Action and allpay announce winners of ‘Herefordshire Volunteers of the Year Awards 2011’

It’s been emotional! A record sack of 101 entries from across the County, an eight hour judging session and a remarkable awards evening filled with volunteers and local VIPs.

It can only be one thing. The 2011 Herefordshire Volunteers of the Year Awards!

Organised by Herefordshire Voluntary Action and sponsored by local business allpay, the glittering award ceremony took place on Thursday June 9th at Hereford Racecourse.

The Lord Lieutenant for the County of Herefordshire, Lady Darnley, presented the seven awards with the assistance of local business sponsors.

Most importantly, the winners were:

Volunteer of the Year sponsored by FIT and Wiggly Wigglers

Winner:          Margaret Valleley from Weston-under-Penyard

Her efforts over many years have not just enriched the lives of her neighbours but those of communities across the whole county.  She runs countless social activities from lunch clubs to day trips and championed a highly successful project to bring computing to older residents in her village.  She has also volunteered for Herefordshire Housing for 11 years, helping to improve the lives of their residents.

Volunteer Team of the Year sponsored by Cargill

Winner:          Streets Youth Project in Hereford

This team deserved recognition for the excellent youth club they provide in the heart of the city to youngsters; providing positive role models, mentoring opportunities and a range of interesting activities to keep them safe and build their self esteem and aspirations.

Young Volunteer of the Year sponsored by vinvolved 

Winner:          Julie Smith of Hereford

Come rain, wind, snow or sleet, day in and day out, 20 year old Julie makes sure she is there to walk the dogs for the sick and the housebound in her area.  She has already clocked up 4 years of volunteering and the judges felt it was refreshing to see a young person doing such good for the community.

Community Hero of the Year sponsored by Biddle

Winner:          George Mecina of Hereford

A real hero for the East European community, George has been helping migrants since 2005 when they first started coming to Herefordshire.  Available 24/7, he plugs a gap in service provision by supporting those who become destitute, accompanying others to hospital and GP visits, sorts out lost passports and advocates on their behalf to access services.  Every East European in the county knows George!

Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by BOSS

Winner:          Moira Starkey of Storridge

An inspiration to all those around her, this incredible lady, well in to her nineties, has been fundraising for a number of years for the Haven, a centre in Hereford supporting people with breast cancer.  Moira has raised over £10,000 and last year completed a marathon on two walking sticks, doing the full 26miles around Storridge Village Hall over a number of days.

Sports Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Tesco

Winner:          Paul Flitney of Ross on Wye

Described as the ‘Pied Piper of Ross’, Paul has made an amazing difference to Ross Junior Football Club.  Some of his many achievements include increasing the football sides from 2 to 130 members, setting up a club shop and website, organising trips and good old fundraising.

Life Time Achievement Award sponsored by allpay

Joint Winners:           Albert Tittensor of Hereford and Alec Haines of Leominster

At 76 years, Albert has spent well over 25 years helping other people including running a luncheon club, organising summer trips and armchair keep fit sessions for the over 60s.  He regularly visits older people and provides them with friendship and support, raises money for a Romanian orphanage and assists with providing weekly hot meals to the homeless.

Alec has dedicated over 67 years volunteering to support the blind and partially sighted people of Herefordshire.  This inspirational nonagenerian has provided help both on a practical basis and as a trustee and ambassador for the charity Herefordshire Vision Links.  His contribution was summed by his nominator ‘Alec is a true volunteer who does not acknowledge the impact his generosity in giving time to others has made’.

Chief Executive of Herefordshire Voluntary Action, Will Lindesay, commented: “Herefordshire is extremely fortunate in having such a vibrant, active and committed volunteering community.  The awards evening has enabled us to celebrate the very special contribution that volunteers, in an incredible number of ways, make to our county”.

Mark Thomas, Deputy Managing Director at allpay said: “What an inspirational night! Herefordshire has so many heroes that give their time to help others and allpay was extremely proud to play a part in organising the event”.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by FIT and Wiggly Wigglers

1^st Prize:          £100 FIT vouchers and £100 Wiggly Wigglers vouchers

Margaret Valleley from Weston-under-Penyard

2^nd Prize:         £50 FIT vouchers and £50 Wiggly Wigglers vouchers

Emma Tustin from Hereford

Volunteer Team of the Year - Sponsored by Cargill

1^st Prize:          £200

                        Streets youth Project, Hereford

2^nd Prize:         £100

                        North Tupsley Action Group, Hereford

Commendation:          Close House Cleaners

Commendation:          Eardisland Village Shop

Young Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by vinvovled

1^st Prize:          £150 store vouchers

                        Julie Smith of Hereford

2^nd Prize:         £100 store vouchers

Two runners up: Kerrie Allen from Close House and Kirsty Williams from SHYPP

Community Hero of the Year - Sponsored by Biddle

1^st Prize:          £200

George Mecina, Hereford

2^nd Prize:         £100

            Sandra Payne, Almeley

Fundraiser of the Year - Sponsored by BOSS

1^st Prize:          £250

            Moira Starkey from Storridge

Sports Volunteer of the Year - Sponsored by Tesco

1^st Prize:          £200

            Paul Flitney

Lifetime Achievement Award of the Year - Sponsored by allpay

1^st Prize:          £200

                        Joint Winners:

                        Alec Haines

                        Albert Tittensor

*The Judges were: Angela Legg - HVA, Charlotte Freddi - allpay, Claudia Cooper - allpay, Crystal Macangus - Tesco, Alex Fitzpatrick - Herefordshire Council