From: Lynn Blewitt, Darlington
As the Volunteer Co-Ordinator at eVOLution, Darlington , I am constantly inspired by the dedicaton and kindness of our volunteers. Win, Mavis, Betty, Sue, Jackie, Tim, Toby and Craig. They give their time and so much more - There help throughout the year is invaluable and I could not begin to say how much we appreciate all your time and effort. We value all that you do for us and without you eVOLution would be a much poorer place. THANK YOU.
From: Hannah Steggles, Derbyshire
Thank you to all the volunteers at Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood for all their hard work and commitment. The property could not open without them and their contribution is hugely valued.
From: Paola Santos, St Albans
The idea of joining Samaritans came from realising how relevant it is to have a support network, especially during difficult times in our lives.
There are many people that simply do not have this network and live isolated from their families and communities. Even in cases when there is someone who they could potentially talk to, the emotions that they need to share could be too distressing for someone close to them.
The commitment to listen and provide emotional support without judgement to people that are in deep emotional distress inspired me to join this amazing group of volunteers. I do believe and hope that by being able to speak in confidence about their feelings during difficult times in their lives, our callers are able to cope with their worries and troubles, and that they regain the confidence and self-worth by realizing that despite all they have been through, they managed to carry on.
The work that Samaritans are doing is deeply meaningful and, as a volunteer, I have received a lot of satisfaction and learning experiences by being part of the movement.
Thank you to all the volunteers for their amazing work!
From: Syeda Akhtar, Birmingham
On behalf of SIFA Fireside management team, I would like to take the opportunity to say a heart felt 'Thank You' to all our volunteers, both old and new, who have devoted their time and commitment to help out with the services we offer to disadvantaged people. We are priveleged to have a diverse volunteer base, who have no doubt have made an impact to society. A special 'Thank You' also goes to Unity Trust Bank who have helped out on our 'Allotment Project' as a one off event. Your team have done a superb job; well done to you all!
From: Home-Start East Fife
Home-Start East Fife would like to thank all the many volunteers who have helped to support local families in East Fife for the last 21 years.
We will be thanking our volunteers on Friday 5th June with a special event at the Museum of University of St Andrews (MUSA).
From: Karen Sparkes, Volunteer Services Development Manager, Family Action, London
On behalf of Family Action, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 450 people that choose to volunteer with us.
Your help and support not only benefits us as an organisation but the lives of those who use our services. Their lives and our organisation are greatly enriched because of your valuable contribution. I also want to thank all the Family Action staff who work with and provide support to our volunteers.
We at Family Action want you to know that we value and appreciate your time and skills that you give freely and we want to publically recognise the positive impact that you have within the organisation. By freely giving your time and energy you help make our communities better places to live.
Thank you so very much.
From: Queensferry care in the Community, South Queensferry
Thank you for your time, support, commitment and friendship. We could not manage without you.
From: Emily Hynes, London
The Cardinal Hume Centre would like to say a big thank to all our dedicated volunteers. We depend on volunteers to help us in our work - running ESOL classes, supporting residents of our hostels, mentoring young people and running our charity shop amoung other things. Volunteers are vital in helping us support people to break out of the cycle of homelessness and social exclusion.
From: Envision, Birmingham/Greater London/Leeds
BIG thanks to Envision volunteer Nosheen for all her hard work during the year - and congratulations on being recognised as an outstanding volunteer and youth spokespoerson by v, who have appointed her to their v20 youth board! It's a great opportunity to make volunteering more attractive to young people, and represent not only the 1,500 students Envision works with each year but also young volunteers UK-wide! Thanks to you all and keep up the good work - people do notice!
From: Brian Horner, Chief Executive, Voluntary Norfolk, Norfolk Voluntary Norfolk recruits volunteers for its own services and for other voluntary organisations in the county.
Without the commitment, enthusiasm and skills that volunteers bring we simply couldn't do our job.
Thanks to all our volunteers past and present as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of supporting volunteers and voluntary organisations.
From: Anne Fletcher, Telford & Wrekin
The British Red Cross team in Telford & Wrekin would like to say a big thank you to all our volunteers who deliver the Support at Home services in our local community. The time you give makes a real difference, providing support and encouragement to people at a vulnerable time in their lives. We, and they, greatly appreciate what you do.
From: Andres Austin Bennett, London
Thank you for all of your hard work with 7F at Salesian College Battersea. Keep up the good work it pays in the end.
From: Sharon McCall, Volunteers' Support Manger, Adoption UK
To all our volunteers across the UK. Your commitment and dedication in providing support locally is a truly valuable service to prospective adopters, adoptive families and Adoption UK. Thank you!
From: Gwynneth Moffatt, East Riding of Yorkshire
Thanks to all the wonderful people who give up their time to help our tutors to deliver top quality learning opportunities to an amazing range of learners - those with learning difficulties, second language learners, learners who just need a bit of extra support, whatever they are trying to learn! Our service is enriched by your generosity.
From: Karen Millar, Coleraine
I want to thank all the volunteers in Home-Start Causeway who support young families in the Causeway area. I have seen so many families grow in confidence and independence after accepting support from their home support volunteer. It is a pleasure working with so many dedicated and caring volunteers.
From: Shani Fancett, Director of Membership Services, Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice would like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of our 20,000 volunteers for their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication! You are the backbone of our service providing support to our 412 Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales enabling them to deliver a valuable service to clients. You have provided the service with a phenomenal 119,010 hours of your time in the last year which in turn has enabled us to help over 1.9 million people to solve 5.5 million new problems! Thank you
From: The Stroke Association, UK
The Stroke Association would like to thank its volunteers for their tireless and dedicated support helping people affected by Stroke over the past year.
Thousands of people have had their lives enriched, thousands of pounds have been raised, and thousands of quite frankly brilliant people have increased awareness of the UK's third biggest killer!
Thanks so much - you're all marvellous.
From: Compass Theatre Management, Middlesex
Compass Theatre would like to publicly thank all their volunteers. Their continued support and dedication has made it possible to enable the Theatre to function to the benefit of the local community.
We are truly grateful to you all!
Ian Grimwood (Volunteer Manager), Portsmouth City Council HIDS in Hampshire
A very big THANK YOU to all volunteers attached to the Health Improvement & Development Service. Your continued devotion & support makes such a huge difference to so many people and the quality of the Service we deliver. Happy Volunteers Week! Very best wishes to you all.
From: Sue Townsend, East YorkshireThe Bridlington & Drifield Mencap & Gateway Society would like to thank all the volunteers who run Phoenix Drama Group on a Monday, Senior Gateway Club, Tuesday, Fundrasing Group, for their endless fund raising, ICT Volunteers who support Learning Disabled Students at Bridlington & Driffield Mencap registered charity 223343 to improve the lives and opportunities of learning disabled children and adults their parents and a carers and families.
From: Cat O'Neill, Manchester
Dear Anxiety UK volunteers,
I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the time and effort you make for us, both on the helpline and for therapy services. It means so much to the people who call, and I am amazed how much we can achieve as a small organisation with your help.
Well done and keep up your hard work!!
From: Mhairi Gordon, Cheshire
John Whatmore, Rose Wang and Katherine Taheri for their sterling and inventive work on the soon-to-be published report Effective leaders of volunteering: the eleven key qualities.
From: Leona Davis, Birmingham
Thank you to all the volunteer drivers and mentors at Wolverhampton City Councils, Children and Families Service. Your generous help and the hours you put in are not always appreciated by staff but we would be lost without you!! Many, many thanks, Leona
From: Live & Local, East Midlands
Live & Local would like to thank all our Promoters and their cttee members for all their hard work in making Live & Local a successful rural touring scheme. Thank you.
From: David Hughes, Wirral
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who help Wirral information resource for equality and disability deliver our services to the community.
From: Jo Brown, Cheltenham
I would like to thank Wendy, Elizabeth, Emily, Max and Sarah who volunteer for Cheltenham Volunteer Centre. It is a pleasure to work with all of them and they help us to reach more volunteers through their support and hard work, THANK YOU!!!!
From: Liza J Moore in Totnes, Devon
As the Volunteer Co-Ordinator at Totnes Caring, I am constantly inspired by the kindness and caring of our volunteers. Volunteers give their time but so much more - human kindness beyond words. We value all that you do for us and without you Totnes Caring could not continue. THANK YOU.
From: Stacey Dyer, Archive Manager, Plymouth Barbican Association South West Image Bank in Plymouth, Devon
What is a volunteer? Someone who is dedicated, enthusiastic, selfless... Many other suitable adjectives can easily be offered in response to this. Volunteers are considered to be the lifeblood of every organisation and our volunteers are no exception to this, but the question of ADEQUATELY conveying the enormous appreciation for the support given to us by our volunteers is not quite so easy. And so in recognition of our growing team of volunteers, I offer this observation; you are all utterly fabulous, wonderfully committed individuals, we consider each and every one of you as invaluable members of the team and look forward to our ongoing work alongside you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
From: South Ockendon Community Forum Volunteers
South Ockendon Community Forum would like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers, and volunteer trustees for all their help this year. Our unsung heroes!
From: Nick Handley, West Sussex
I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all our volunteer mediators at West Sussex Mediation Service. WIthout them we would not exist. Many hours of voluntary work has been invested by them in helping resolve community conflict across West Sussex.
From: Marion Barton, Salisbury
I should like to thank all the volunteers who do such sterling work at Salisbury Shopmobility. Without their contribution this service would not be the success it is nor would our members receive such a wonderful service.
From: Fiona Watkins, West Sussex
A huge thank you to all the people who helped start and continue to run the 6th East Grinstead Rainbows! It is a great team, and new members always welcome!
From: Christine Clarke, Volunteer Action, Dumfries & Galloway
I would just like to say a BIG Thank You to all the volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 12 months, and hope that you are enjoying the volunteering you are doing.
Keep up the fantastic work. without you, our communities would be poorer.
From: Kate Harrison, Hampshire
St. Michael's Hospice Volunteers work tirelessy for the community of North Hampshire. These amazing people help others to enrich their lives, fulfill personal passions & goals, and ultimately add ‘quality of life’ to those suffering a terminal illness.
From: Amanda Bryant, Crawley in West Sussex
We would like to say a big thank you to all our 600 volunteers who help St Catherine's Hospice to offer end of life care to local people in Crawley, Horsham, Mid-Sussex and East Surrey, assisting in a variety of roles. We greatly appreciate the time, skills and hardwork that our volunteers invest in St Catherine's helping us to deliver our services. Thank you.
From: Volunteer Coordinators at Envision UK in London/Birmingham
We simply couldn't do what we do without our volunteers. You guys are amazing at motivating and inspiring young people to take what they are passionate about - whatever that is - and make a difference!
From: Tracy Saunders, Swindon
I would like to start by saying a BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with you at both Swindon Mind and CVS North Wiltshire over the years. You have made and continue to make a fantastic contribution, not just to the organisations themselves, but to the wider community as well.
I’d also like to thank all the volunteers who participated in the Cheese Rolling recently, including the Cheese Rolling Construction Team, the volunteers who cleared and prepared Cooper’s Hill prior to the event and the Cave Rescue Team.
Also, thank you to the volunteers of Robert Dover’s Games Society for making the Cotswold Olimpick Games such a brilliant event.
Thanks to the ever-present St John Ambulance, who attended the Cheese Rolling, the Cotswold Olimpick Games and the Swindon Festival of Sport.
Finally, a big thank you to the RNLI who enable so many people to stay safe whilst enjoying our beautiful beaches.
You all make a big difference to the lives of so many people. THANK YOU!
From: Lee Kean, Wiltshire
I would like to say a big thank you to the Wiltshire Wanderers, especially to Martin and Lucy for their dedication in organising walks and camping trips near and far. You are a great group of people! Looking forward to many more walks with you :)
From: Paul Allen, Chief Executive, Abbeyfield Society
Providing housing and care to older people across the UK the Abbeyfield Society relies on the contribution and commitment of its 10,000 volunteers. Engaging in many different roles our volunteers are the bedrock of our movement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for the role they play and the valuable contribution they make to the Abbeyfield Society.
From: CLIC Sargent
A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers at CLIC Sargent. The time you give helps us support children and young people with cancer and their families, so THANK YOU!
From: Bouchra Fhiham, London
I would like to say a massive thank you to Ahmed Egeh, for supporting the Health and Social Care project by working in collaboration with NHS volunteer managers to raise the profile of volunteering in NHS Trusts by developing 6 stories for in-house publications.
From: Whizz-Kidz in the UK
We want to acknowledge all of Whizz-Kidz’ volunteers who support us to deliver our services to disabled children and young people, raise valuable funds towards mobility equipment such as poweed wheelchairs, and wheelchair skills training - and help us to raise awareness of the unmet mobility needs of over 70,000 young people in the UK.
THANK YOU!!
From: Louise Turner, Bristol
I would like to thank all the volunteers who work with me to support Children's Hospice South West. I have met some amazing people with big hearts and lots of skills to offer. These amazing people help us fundraise, clean, drive, babysit and much more! We could not operate without your help and it is so valuable to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
From: Sarah Hayes, London
The Volunteering England grant-making and funding team would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to approximately 2000 dedicated volunteers working across England on 50 Opportunities for Volunteering health and social care projects. You really make a huge difference to the lives of those who benefit through your numerous volunteering activities.
From: Media Trust, UK
A massive THANK YOU to all our fantastic Media Trust volunteers - we have hundreds of media, marketing and communications professionals offering charities their time and skills for free through our Media Matching, Youth Mentoring, Training and Volunteer Films schemes. You are all brilliant! Thank you SO much - the work you do is invaluable to the charities you support.
From: Tracey Mealing, London
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers at Sue Ryder Care. With your dedication and passion Sue Ryder Care is able to continue to provide quality care for people living with end of life and long-term conditions including; Cancer, Stroke, Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease.
Sue Ryder Care deliver 4million hours of care every year to thousands of people through its residential, day care and community based services and none of this would be possible without your invaluable support by helping in our shops, supporting care activities, flexing your green fingers at one of our 14 care centres or helping the charity’s 17 fundraising teams at events to raise vital funds.
From: Mike Locke, London
I'd like to say how thankful I am to everyone who has been a volunteer where I've been a volunteer. You made me feel like I belonged with you.
From: Ben Matthews
Bright One is run completely by volunteers and would not exist as an organisation without these people giving up their spare time to provide valuable communications support to third sector organisations.
We want to acknowledge all of Bright One's volunteers for their contribution to our organisation. They are all making a valuable difference, not just to Bright One, but to the many organisations we are helping.
The feedback we get from the organisations we work with has been overwhelmingly positive towards Bright One's volunteers, which shows the commitment, professionialism and passion that they bring to their work.
From: Saskia Daggett, London
A huge thank you to everyone involved in Volunteering England's Action Groups all working to improve the future of volunteering! Your passion and enthusiasm has been phenomenal and together I think we've begun to make a real difference to the future of volunteering in England. Happy Volunteers' Week and thank you!
From: Claire Duncan, Press Officer, Samaritans
I would like to say a massive thank you to our 16,534 volunteers across the UK and ROI. Without you, Samaritans would not be able to continue to deliver 24-hour confidential emotional support to people in distress. The hard work and dedication you put in individually and collectively allows Samaritans to answer over five million calls a year. Thank you.
From: Sheila Hawkins, Leicester
I'd like to thank the volunteers on the committee at Rowley Fields Allotment Society for all the work they do to run the site and society and make it such a great place to have an allotment.
From: Penny Gee, Cromer
To Chris, Nina, Sally, Sam, Julie, Annie, Margaret and Emily (and Nina's mum and dad) and all the other volunteers who help to run the Cromer Guides, Rainbows and Brownie units. You make a real difference to the lives of the children in our community - a very big thank you for your hard work.
From: Sarah Hodgkinson, Chief Executive, Getting on Board, Suffolk
Without the tremendous help and efforts of the members of our board, other volunteers and supporters, Getting on Board would not have been able to develop its work of encouraging employees to volunteer as trustees, school governors or members of boards of public bodies.. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped the charity, and also to all those people who are volunteering for boards through our brokerage and making significant contributions to the organisations they join.
From: Keith Lewis, Volunteer Fundraising Manager, British Heart Foundation
I very much want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the charity and all those we help, to say a big and heartfelt “thank you” for the contribution you make to the British Heart Foundation. Without you we simply would not be able to continue our vital work – saving and improving lives.
From: Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community, London
Business in the Community would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the 3,600 employee volunteers who – on Give & Gain Day – will support over 180 community projects throughout the UK. Give & Gain Day is our national employee volunteering day of action, which will take place on 5 June as part of Volunteers’ Week. This year, 180 businesses have demonstrated their dedication to making a positive difference in society by sharing their time and skills with those who need it most.
It has never been more important for a sustained commitment to community investment as we face the most challenging economic crisis of our generation. Vulnerable communities are now further removed from the world of work and face even higher barriers to education, while local authorities, the homeless sector and charity organisations are under increasing strain, with higher demands for their services. Participants in Give & Gain Day will help 35,000 young people understand the world of work, be inspired to read, and raise their aspirations for a successful working life. We thank them for their fantastic support.
From: Tony Edwards
I want to say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers in Hertfordshire who support people with Visual Impairment. It was my pleasure to work with them all for four really enjoyable years and I hope they know what a huge difference they make to so many people - who otherwise would be very isolated and lonely without them. Thank you.
From: Alan Murray, The RSPB UK HQ, Head of Volunteering Development, Sandy, Bedfordshire.
THANK YOU!
Once again, our volunteers have been fantastic! The current economic and financial climate has not put off our 13,500 volunteers from making much of the RSPB's work possible.
We would like to say a ‘big thank you’ to our volunteers who have undertaken over 837,000 hours of work given out of the goodness of people’s hearts and because like us you love nature too.
Volunteers are an integral part of the RSPB and without their active participation and support, the RSPB’s work would be greatly diminished.
We are very proud of you all and you should be too!
Well done and thank you very much.
From: Karen Allsop at The Blue Cross
A huge thank you to everyone of the dedicated and valuable volunteers at The Blue Cross. Whatever you do for us - whether it’s caring for animals; helping out at our centres, hospitals, shops or offices; supporting people through pet loss; educating children on responsible pet care; or helping us raise much needed funds - we couldn’t do as much for Britain’s pets, and their owners, without you. We are truly grateful for your time, commitment and enthusiasm.
From: Emma Dobie, Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, Manchester
A special thank you to all those volunteer mentors and befrienders that give up their time to support someone else.
The value of the voluntary one-to-one relationship is what makes it so special.
Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing the growth of mentoring and befriending activity across the country.
From: Nathan Dick, North Yorkshire/York
To all the volunteers who have helped Clinks do what we do on a daily basis I say thank you. To all those volunteers throughout the voluntary and community sector working with offenders and their families, I am in awe of your contribution.
Working for Clinks I see the vast amount of volunteers that offer their time, energy, understanding, and knowledge to help those offenders in our prisons and in our communities to go straight and lead crime free lives. Their efforts are often hidden but their contribution is invaluable. The tradition of chairtable work and volunteering in our society is vital to improving the lives of so many of our most vulnerable and socially excluded citizens. I would not like to envisage a society without volunteering and I hope I never have to.
From: Sarah Phillips OBE DL
Probably the best part of my role as Chairman of Victim Support is spending time talking to our volunteers. I never fail to be inspired by their personal commitment to supporting victims and witnesses and to hear how they have gone that extra mile at such a traumatic time in someone’s life. I know from what victims and witnesses have told me that the support of our volunteers has turned a truly awful situation into something much less daunting and enabled people to cope.
From: Carole Thelwall-Jones, Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union would like to thank over 50,000 volunteers for giving their time, expertise and enthuiasm to Rugby. Thanks to them, hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds get to enjoy a wonderful team sport, make lifelong friendships and have fun.
From: Carolyn Choong, London
I would like to sincerely thank the all our volunteers at Kids' City (www.kidscity.org.uk), which is an award-winning London-based play, educational and training charity.
Volunteers give an incredible amount of time, energy and goodwill towards the charity, both at the office and in the schools with the children.
Your contribution makes such a difference to the reach and scope of the charity's work and it is fantastic to work with you! On behalf of all the children, thank you very much indeed.
From: Sally Davis, Managing Director, Growing Ambitions
A big 'thank you' to all the volunteer career speakers registered with Growing Ambitions UK-wide. It is humbling. Your desire to help young people make good career choices is marvellous and much appreciated and we thank you very much indeed for stepping up to the mark in the way you have. I wish you happy career speaking with us right from your first invitation to speak, through into the future. You are an inspiration! Many of you are being patient while our momentum builds around the nation and speaker numbers are mounting and more schools, colleges and universities are coming on board. If you are getting your friends and colleagues and employers to catch the vision, too, then you are real heroes! Thank you!
From: Kimberley Rowley, Volunteering England, London
Would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who came forward to be case studies for Volunteers' Week. Although we couldn't use you all, we appreciate you telling your story and getting involved with the week. We couldn't do our media work without you!
From: Pete Jones - Volunteers Manager Beatbullying, UK
On behalf of everyone here at Beatbullying and the thousands of young people we've helped over the last months, I'd like to say a big thank you to all of our CyberMentors. You rock!! :-)
From: Rosalind Murray and the Volunteer Support Team, Cheam in Surrey
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers who give their time in support of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. Your contribution is invaluable and it really does make a difference. So THANK YOU to each and every one, whether you are a Trustee, a Workplace volunteer, Visiting Officer, Fundraiser or a member of our National/Regional Committees we do appreciate all that you do.
From: Dave Thomas, Swadlincote
Thanks to all the volunteers at South Derbyshire CVS. They are a great bunch of people who provide outstanding services to the organisation and the community.
From: Stephanie Eynon, Community Horticulture Manager, Royal Horticultural Society, London
On behalf of the RHS, I would like to thank all of the dedicated volunteers who make cities, towns, villages and neighbourhoods all across the UK cleaner and greener through their participation in the RHS community campaigns, Britain in Bloom and the Neighbourhood Awards. The fantastic work you do is: developing social cohesion, increasing local pride, having a positive impact on local economies and providing a springboard for the introduction of environmental initiatives. So THANK YOU for caring for your community and the environment and for helping to make your local patch a better place to live, work and visit.
From: The National Trust Central Volunteering Team, Swindon
On behalf of staff across the Trust we would like to thank all our volunteers for everything that they bring to their roles and to our work. Without you we couldn’t open our properties or preserve them for the future. Without you our ability to innovate and try new things would be severely limited. Thank you.
From: Sarah Nelson, London
I would like to say thank you to the volunteer advisor from the Alzheimers' Society, who gave me such helpful information when i rang to ask for help and support in advocating on behalf of my Grandmother, who's recently been diagnosed with dementia. Not only was it practically useful to me, but i felt listened to and reassured by her sympathetic approach. Thank you!
From: Mary Barbour, Warrington
Walton Lea Project and Long Lane Garden Centre want to thank all our wonderful volunteers who help us to support people with learning disabilities and to grow plants and fruit and vegetables. We couldn't do it without you!
A special thank you to the Friends of Walton Lea who help us to get out and about selling our produce and telling people about us. Keep up the good work.
Josh - you have been a star bringing humour and spirit to our unit - good luck in the future Mate - whoever gets you as an employee is lucky!
From: Thom Kellogg, Derby
I would like to thank the vinvolved team derby city Youth Action Team Members for all their hard work over the 1st year of the programme. We have had a great year and you have been pivitol in this success. Enjoy the celebration day on 6th June 2009 and we look forward another great year!!
From: Francesca Slattery-Wigan and Leigh vinvolved team Youth Volunteer Advisor, Wigan and Leigh
We at the vinvolved team would just like to say a big THANK YOU to all the young people who are currently volunteering in the borough. You are doing a great job and many people appreciate it!
From: ROSEMARY LEESON, LEICESTERSHIRE
I HAVE BEEN ORGANISING A "ROLL OF HONOUR" FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED 25 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN HUMBLED BY THE VARIETY OF TASKS UNDERTAKEN AND THE DEDICATION OF ALL THE VOLUNTEERS NOMINATED.
I SHALL BE HONOURED TO MEET THEM HERE AT VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTERSHIRE ON FRIDAY 5TH JUNE WHEN THEY COME TO RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES FROM THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE LORD AND LADY MAYORESS OF LEICESTER.
From: Laura White
I'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the fantastic volunteers who generously give their time to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Your support is invaluable and we are extremely grateful and inspired by your dedication and hard work. Thank you.
From: Ieuan Evans (BTO), Thetford
I'd like to thank all of BTO's 30,000 volunteers who contribute their time, energy and enthusiasm to monitoring the UK's wild bird populations. By recording what birds are doing in their gardens and the wider countryside they make a vital contribution to our understanding of Britain's birds.
Thank you!
From: Sue Lavendar, Devon
Thank you Sue for getting the outreach up, as well as the care project, and so fast! Appreciate your humour, and the green tea.
From: Jill Todd, Devon
Thank you Jill for your energy, your humour, your listening ear, your success in launching the healthy walks.
From: Carrickfergus Junior Gateway Volunteers, Co Antrim
I would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers at Gateway for making the club a success. Without you the club would not exist and the members would be without a youth club. Also thanks to the supporting agencies of the club- Mencap and NEELB, their support is invaluable.
From: Rikki Heppenstall, Huddersfield
At the Nerve Centre we support people with neurological conditions and their carers but we could not do this without our army of volunteers. From running reception in the centre to fundraising all over the area, from administration to campaigning, provision of therapy and running activities our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation. We would like to say thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication, our members really appreciate your work, as do we.
Many thanks,
The Nerve Centre, 2nd Floor, Standard House, Half Moon Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2JF Telephone 01484 469 853.
From: Drugline Lancashire Ltd, Preston in Lancashire
Shelley, Amy and all at Drugline Lancashire Ltd would like to say a massive thank you to all volunteers at Drugline for all your hard work, ongoing dedication and committment. THANKS!!!
From: Ann Cartwright, Admin Manager, Law Centre (NI) , Belfast
Eva Mills is, and has been, a faithful volunteer with the Law Centre for ten years. Eva undertakes all types of admin work and, in particular, helps with the preparation of bundles for court. She is always willing to undertake any task required of her. Eva is an extremely valued member, not only of the admin team, but of the Law Centre as a whole. She is committed to the organisation and this comes with a huge 'thank you' from all at the Law Centre - you are appreciated more than you know!
From: Maura McCallion, Assistant Director (Casework), Law Centre (NI), Belfast
‘We really appreciate the time and patience of our casework volunteers – they are there just at the right moment to help with sifting through evidence, finding caselaw and delivering documents to court. Our legal work focuses on the promotion of social justice for people who are disadvantaged. It is inspiring for us who are paid to work here to see people willing to offer their skills and time for free for this cause.
From: Mary Hegarty, Bryson Charitable Group Volunteer Officer
To all our lovely Bryson Charitable Group European Voluntary Service volunteers - you're amazing! The fact that you leave your family, friends and home to come to volunteer in Northern Ireland, they way you learn to understand (and mock!) our Northern Irish English, they way you cope with our spring and summer weather, your energy, your enthusiasm, your flexibility, your commitment, your patience. Thank you for all of this and more. You're brilliant, so you are! Thanks for being here.
To all our generous and giving Bryson Charitable Group People Like US volunteers - thank you for all you do during your volunteering. I don't need to tell you, but you make a huge difference to the lives of the people with learning disabilities you befriend, giving them a social outlet, increasing their independence, giving them activities to look forward to. You're great - thanks for all you do!
From: Mary Blair, Librarian at the Law Centre in Northern Ireland
Yvonne Smith has been helping in the Law Centre in Belfast one day a week for the last 6 years. She divides her time between administration and the library and her work is invaluable to both parts of the organisation. Her skills and experience which we find so useful, come from her background as an administrator in the Modern History Department at Queens University .
Yvonne is reliable and conscientious and anything she does is done well. She is happy to give a hand in any area of the Law Centre which is under pressure and this makes her an invaluable asset. Yvonne also volunteers with “Riding for the Disabled” and “Chest Heart and Stroke” so is truly dedicated to helping others.
From: Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive, Volunteering England
A huge thank you to all the volunteers throughout the UK who make such a difference to their communities. And a special thank you to the volunteers who have helped Volunteering England over the past 12 months - our trustees, advisory group members, and office volunteers.
We are really grateful for all you do and the difference you make.
From: Jenny Williams, Communications and Fundraising Manager, Habitat for Humanity NI
Volunteers are at the very heart of Habitat’s work here in Northern Ireland and around the world. We really just want to say we couldn’t do without your commitment and support. Over the last 15 years almost 15,000 local volunteers have worked alongside families in need; building houses, building community and building hope for the future. Whether you volunteered once or many times , on a local project or as part of our international programme you are an important part of our story and we so much appreciate your partnership. It is our privilege to be able to share some of your joys and successes as you play your part in our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live – thank you all so much, keep up the good work!
From: Andrea Grace Rannard, Senior Student Volunteering Manager, Volunteering England
A huge thank you to student volunteers all over the world, who make a difference to the community and their respective education institutions.
A special thank you to Beth, Karen, Jess, Charly and Lauren for their excellent volunteering efforts at Volunteering England's National Student Volunteering Conference 2009.
From: Amanda Cerasale, Watford Herts
I would like to say a big thank you very much to Sonia Glover who is the manageress at Watford mencap charity shop for being very supportive to everyone over the last 3 & a half years, she has never always got the appreciation that she has always deserved.
From: Cathie Wilcock, Birmingham
I want to say a great big 'public' thank you to all of the volunteers that support the Breakfast Club & Walking Bus at St Boniface in Quinton. With out you we wouldn't serve over 60 breakfasts a week to the children of working parents from the Worlds End Schools (and we get them to class on time!)
Thank you to all of you.
From: Larry Gardiner in Liverpool, Merseyside.
Appreciations and thanks are due to Valerie Todd (chair) and to Cathy Taylor (secretary) at Parent Advocates Together(www.parentadvocatestogether.org.uk) for taking us through our second year. We are a small group without much funding, with no staff and with no premises. They probably don't realise the impact their leadership has had!
From: Anne Hudson, Chief Commissioner, Girlguiding London and South East England (LaSER)
I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the 8,515 Leaders who volunteered over the last 12 months to ensure our girls and young women receive a modern and relevant programme to assist each one reach her potential. You are worth your weight in gold.
Thank you
From: Clara Rivera, Belfast Computer Clubhouse, Belfast
On behalf of the young people who are members of the Belfast Computer Clubhouse, I would like to thank our volunteer mentors for their role in inspiring our members. Just your presence in the Clubhouse have made a difference in their works and even their lives! A big "THANK YOU" - for putting smiles on everyone's faces :-)
