Long Service Award winner Mike Hanshall receiving his award
A LOCAL hero who has dedicated half a century to his community football team, and a mum who has devoted more than 500 hours to helping families, have been rewarded.
They were among the stars of the show at Warrington’s fifth annual Volunteer Celebration Event, which honoured heroes and heroines who are going the extra mile to make a difference to people’s lives.
The event at Orford Jubilee Hub – organised by Warrington Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods team and Warrington Voluntary Action – brought together volunteers from across the borough for a celebration of the important role they play.
More than 150 nominations were received – the most since the event began.
Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Faisal Rashid, thanked guests for their hard work and dedication and presented awards to seven very special volunteers.
They included Mike Henshall, who started volunteering at Daten Football Club, Culcheth in 1964. During his 52 years at the club, he has taken on the role of player, secretary, fundraiser, coach and
match day helper. He won the Long Service award.
Also rewarded was Catherine Jones, a volunteer with the Council’s Brighter Futures team. She has completed more than 500 hours of voluntary work in the past two years, working with parents and babies and offering one-to-one support to girls. Catherine’s dedication, which has seen her find time to volunteer, bring up three children of her own, and gain a place at university to study social work – earned her the “Personal Achievement” award.
Cllr Rashid said: “It was really heart-warming to hear so many stories of the wonderful work people are doing to transform lives, improve their communities and help others.
“There were so many local volunteers at the event, from animal charities and church groups, to
young people’s organisations and craft groups. It shows that the spirit of volunteering and supporting others is very much alive and well, here in Warrington.”
Other Award winners were:
*Inspirational volunteer: David Parr, who is the inspiration behind the “Clean up my Community” group in Westbrook.
*New volunteer: Carol Ponder who has shown her passion for her local area,Whitecross, by getting involved in a range of anti-litter initiatives, one of which helped local primary school, Sacred Heart, gain Green Flag status.
*Commitment to volunteering: John Ashby, who has dedicated a huge amount of his time to a number of different voluntary organisations in Grappenhall.
*Young volunteer: Jaymie-Lee Tayor, who volunteers at a range of events at Radley Common Community Centre.
*Group Award: The Fairfield Community Association, who have helped pull together different organisations in the area, to create a better place to live.
Sponsors for the awards were Taylor Business Park, Cheshire Telecom, Livewire, Golden Gates Housing Trust, Voisey and Co, New Balance and Birchwood Park.
Personal Achievement Award winner Catherine Jones, receiving her award
