Volunteers honoured at awards ceremony (From This Is Local London)

Richmond volunteers honoured at awards ceremony

10:30am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Where I Live By Christine Fleming

Vitally-needed volunteers in the borough have been given recognition of their hard work at the Age UK Richmond Volunteer awards.

The mayor of Richmond Councillor Rita Palmer attended the event and delivered an inspiring speech about the importance of volunteering. The chairwoman of Age UK Richmond, Veronica Schroter, presented the four winners, Netta Guyer, 90, Barbara Sackett, 80, Ron Ward, 79, and Flick Roper, 67, with their awards.

Mr Ward, who volunteers at Whitton Social Centre, said: “I've been volunteering for about 10 years. It’s a real joy and I have made so many good friends working here. Everyone knows the kitchen is my territory.”

Age UK Richmond’s marketing co-ordinator, Steph Mackenzie, said the whole team were really proud of all their 120 volunteers, who represented 85 per cent of the Richmond Age UK workforce.

She said: “We are so proud of our huge workforce of volunteers. We believe it is really important to give recognition for their outstanding contribution in helping the elderly. They are unsung heroes and events like this give us the opportunity to publicly thank them for their support.”