Awards night for volunteers who help city

Mayor cllr David Sanders with some of the winners

Twenty-two winners received their awards from Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire Sir Keith Pearson after walking past a Guard of Honour by the 115 (Peterborough) Squadron Air Training Corps.

The awards were run by the Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service (PCVS) and were attended by Peterborough City Council chief executive Gillian Beasley, and Mayor of Peterborough Councillor David Sanders.

Individuals were recognised from major organisations such as Peterborough City Hospital (Ian Forshaw – PALS desk) and AGE UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (Penny Donavan - volunteer supporter at Steve Woolley Court Day Care Centre).

However, a number of people from smaller groups also received awards, such as Faustina Yang, chairman of Hampton Tiddlers, and Maisie Baker, raffle organiser at the Glinton Friendship Club.

One winner was Sophie Nicholson who had her lower leg amputated eight years after suffering from an operation blunder.

Sophie is an office administrator at Inspire Peterborough, a disability sport charity project. She said: “It was great to see such amazing volunteers being recognised for giving their time to help others in Peterborough. I was thrilled to be invited to the award ceremony and shocked but honoured that I was a recipient of an award. Many thanks to Nikki Griffiths for nominating me for my work with Inspire Peterborough.”

Another well-deserving award winner was Gaby Sharman of the Peterborough Lions, Gaby, who is welfare chairman, soup kitchen supervisor and Lions Showtime organiser, said: “It was a lovely evening. The Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service really did make everybody feel special and look after everybody.I was very surprised when I first heard about the award, but I was really honoured that somebody had actually nominated me. I was proud to be one of the volunteers there because there were so many that did so much - it was so humbling to listen to their stories.

“It was a proud night for the Lions and next year we are celebrating 100 years so hopefully we will be doing many more projects in the community. And we are always looking for new members.”

Leonie McCarthy, chief executive officer, PCVS, said: “Our annual Volunteer Awards night once again showcased the amazing citizens of Peterborough who give up their time to help and support a range of voluntary and community organisations across the city. “