On Thursday 28th September, volunteers and their friends and families from all across North East Lincolnshire flocked to Cue World in Grimsby for a fun filled night of celebration and truly fantastic food. With 7 major awards to be handed out as part of the Volunteer Awards arranged by West Marsh Community Centre – including the 3 volunteers shortlisted for the Judges Award, the atmosphere began to buzz!
The awards that were up for grabs included the Young Persons Award, Senior Award, Sports Coach Award, Arts/Music Award, Long Service Award, Team/Group Award and the ultimate Judges Award.
Before we get in the nitty-gritty of who won what, the night started with certificates going to all participants who had been nominated for an award receiving a certificate of nomination. After all, every volunteer is really a winner!
The first category that was announced was the Long Service Award. This award was given to a lady who had been volunteering with Live at Home since it was established back in 1989. A huge congratulations and thank you for all your services goes to the one and only, Barbara Davy.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Young Persons Award. This was awarded to Ryan Chapman of the Sentimental Gardens project – specifically for the work that 21year old Ryan has done with the Bradley Care Home. Ryan set up Sentimental Gardens earlier in 2017. Sentimental Gardens primary objective was to go into the gardens of the elderly whom were either currently in hospital or those whom had just been released from hospital and ‘do up’ and maintain the garden to a beautiful standard. Whilst researching, Ryan found the gardens at the Bradley Care Home were in need of TLC and with the help of the local community; they successfully managed to transform the gardens into a pleasant place of rest, recovery, contemplation and relaxation.
Ryan Chapman picking up his award
The Sports Coach Award was awarded to Robin Russell of Grimsby Snaprats Community Basketball Club for his continued work with the disadvantaged within the local community despite his ongoing health problems.
The next award was the Team/Group award. This was awarded to the Fresh Start Meals and Care who operate out of St. Hughes Centre. Fresh Start Community Meals and Care offer a hot fresh cooked meal delivered to residents of Grimsby Cleethorpes and Immingham.
The Music, Arts and Drama award followed next, with the honours falling to young Charitie Robinson for her Battle of the Bands Fundraising event that occurred in May this year. Charitie brought together local bands and musicians in a competition which saw just under £1000 being raised for Women’s Aid and Give a Gig Week.
Charitie Robinson picking up her award
The penultimate award was that of the Senior Award that was awarded to Dave McGuire. Dave’s story is truly inspirational in that he has suffered 3 heart attacks which caused him to lose his HGV Licence. Since then, Dave has set up his own Diabetes Support Group and is a passionate advocate of Diabetes and is chairman of the NEL Diabetic Support Group.
The final award of the night was the Judge’s award. This was awarded to volunteers who had gone above and beyond in the judge’s opinion. Three volunteers/volunteer projects made the shortlist. The Stallingborough Youth Club for their combined work with the YMCA in the Stallingborough Youth Community was the first to receive their Highly Commended award. Secondly, the next volunteer to be ‘Highly Commended’ was Mica Armstrong for all of her community work. Mica is a passionate advocate for the environment in being a ground works ambassador. Mica has also started up her own community project, Project V; that raises awareness of young people who have been sexually assaulted or raped. The third contender for the judges award, whom also received a ‘Highly Commended’ award, was Debbie Hill of the Helping Hands Auctions and Events for Community in Grimsby. Debbie’s work with Helping Hands involves the setting up and organisation of fundraising and community events within the wider community.
It is with great delight that I can announce that the Judges Volunteer of the Year is insert dramatic drum roll here … Debbie Hill!
A huge congratulation to Debbie for all her hard work in the community! A big well done must also be given to all those who received a commendation, nomination or award for the night.
Thanks too to everyone who nominated a volunteer or a group – you already knew those people were worth their weight in gold & worth nominating. And thanks to everyone who attended on the evening.
Thanks must also be given to Neil and Anita Barber for a fantastic night and buffet and finally, to DFDS for their kind sponsorship of the event. We are looking forward to next year’s event already!
by Victoria Russell