Celebrating Gosport’s Community Spirit – Volunteer Awards 2018

07/06/2018

Gosport’s Volunteer Awards ceremony took place at St Vincent College’s Jervis Gallery on Wednesday 6 June. More than 120 people attended to recognise and celebrate volunteers in Gosport who give their time to improve the lives of others and help the local community. 86 volunteers, representing 22 organisations, received awards for one, five, ten or 20 years of voluntary service.

The evening was a huge success and included an inspirational presentation given by Mandy Bright, Gosport Voluntary Action’s Community Engagement Manager, that detailed the contribution each individual volunteer had made. Attendees listened to the many stories and achievements, such as Alex, a Befriender Volunteer:

“Alex has many valuable attributes – he is good listener, patient and kind. Always willing to go the extra mile, Alex was able to encourage the person he visited to focus on a new challenge, teaching him to play chess following the loss of his wife.”

Every volunteer was awarded with a certificate, presented by The Worshipful Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Diane Furlong, who also gave her sincere thanks to each volunteer. A favour bag, beautifully made by Angela Weston, containing a ‘Volunteer Survival Kit’ was also presented to each volunteer.

A 20 Year Life Time Achievement Awards was given to Su Killeen from Suki Aerobic Gymnastics Club and sincere and heartfelt thanks were given on behalf of the whole of the Gosport community, for the significant contribution made.

The Worshipful Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Diane Furlong, commented:

“What a lovely evening celebrating all that is good in Gosport. Massive thank you to all volunteers, our town would be poorer and less happy without you.”

Thanks was given to Gosport Borough Council for their ongoing support, as well as to The Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent Lions Club and The Gosport Rotary Club for their kind and generous donations to help make the Awards Evening a truly memorable occasion. St Vincent College were given thanks for their support and the wonderful venue, Huhtamaki for their generous donation of cups and Portsmouth College for the use of their lovely linen table cloths.

If you would like to find out about the diverse and interesting volunteering roles available in the local community, please visit our volunteering page, or phone 02392 583836 or email govolunteer@gva.org.uk