Volunteers awarded for selfless service to community

They include twenty individual volunteers, four young volunteers under the age of 25, ten individual trustees, and ten volunteer teams.

 

Presenting the awards in absentia following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) at the awards venue hours before the ceremony, the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Cllr Eddy Humphreys said:

“It is unfortunate that the awards ceremony could not go ahead as planned and I hope that despite the disappointment of not being here in person, you will understand that for safety purposes this was the right thing to do.

“Your work is immeasurable. Your selfless actions are making a difference in many people’s lives. I have read all your stories and these awards are for us one way to say thank you.

“We will make every effort to ensure that you each receive your certificates and the recognition that you deserve. I am proud of you. This borough is proud of you. The community is proud of you”.

Now in their twentieth year, the awards are a recognition of the invaluable work that volunteers do in the community and borough. They are organised by the Council in partnership with Voluntary Action Reigate and Banstead (VARB).

Stuart Matthew, Chair of Trustees of Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead, said:

“Volunteering is more important than ever now in a world of spiralling costs and overstretched services.  It is right that we celebrate those who unselfishly give of their time and energy for the benefit of the communities they serve.”

Below is the full list of winners:

Young Volunteer Award (under 25 years old)

• Nithya Sangampalayam - Reigate Beaumont Care Home
• Josh Cheema - Volunteer Department East Surrey Hospital           
• Tom Marsh - Furnistore
• George Palmer - Reigate Sea Cadets          

Individual Volunteer Award

• Jason Peters – Community Champion
• Venessa Watts – Community Champion
• Jennifer Russell – Community Champion
• Stephen Warr - MHA Communities East Surrey                    
• Patricia Phillimore - MHA Communities East Surrey                         
• Steve Plowman - Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey                      
• Kate Pickering - The Children's Trust (posthumous award)             
• Phil Wilcox - The Children's Trust                
• Brett Loft - Age Concern Merstham, Redhill & Reigate
• Paul McCarten - Age Concern Merstham, Redhill & Reigate
• Susan Tanton - Samaritans of East Surrey               
• Sheelagh Kendra - Samaritans of East Surrey                       
• Alan Collins - Samaritans of East Surrey                  
• Charles de Haan - Stripey Stork                   
• Colin Sutherland - Home-Start Epsom Ewell and Banstead                  
• Gillian Hiles - East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services                        
• Katie Child - Radio Redhill               
• John Kemp - Tattenhams and Preston Community Group               
• Amy King - The Lucy Rayner Foundation                   
• Joe Brocking - St Catherine's Hospice        

Individual Trustee Award       

• Spencer Copping - Reigate Business Guild      
• Leonora Corden - The Abbeyfield Reigate Society Ltd 
• Gill Ross - Banstead Area u3a 
• Stephanie Limond - Home-Start East Surrey   
• Dave Shaw - The Lucy Rayner Foundation        
• Marion Hayns - Banstead Village in Bloom       
• Chris Spragg - Merstham Community Facility Trust     
• Sally Pulsford - Age Concern   
• Sanjay Patel - Salfords Cricket Club    
• Peter Chmielinski - Walcountians Sports Club             

Volunteer Team Award

• Bereavement Advice and Support Redhill, Reigate Area           
• Friends of Merstham Parks and Greens            
• Horley Lions    
• Surrey Search and Rescue       
• The Children's Trust Transport Volunteers       
• The Include Choir Reps             
• ACB Community Garden          
• Gatton Park Volunteers             
• RH Grave team
• Re.Work.It Volunteers - Active Prospects