Event celebrates local volunteers

Published Monday 14 December 2015 at 11:34

A recent celebration event brought together people from all over Blackburn with Darwen to celebrate the work of local volunteers.

The event at King George’s Hall on Friday, November 20 brought together over 100 people who are involved in different health and wellbeing projects in Blackburn with Darwen that enable more local residents to lead a healthier, happier life.

On the night, volunteers were given certificates for the number of hours they have delivered so far this year with 36 volunteers receiving a certificate for 50 hours, five for 100 hours and one for 150 hours.

Eight awards were also given out, with winners including Blackburn with Darwen Council staff member Gwen Kinloch for her motivation in being a workplace wellbeing champion; Ken Forshaw for his nine-year dedication to allotments in the borough; re:fresh reps Jenny and Wilf Watson who helps to organise an over 50s weekly exercise group; Julie Smith who has volunteered in the borough since 2013; The Bank Top Healthy Communities group who have worked hard over the last two years to develop a community garden; Sally Randall who has supported a local visually impaired man to attend a gym  class on a weekly basis for six months; Lyndsey Forsythe who supports family cycling sessions at Witton park cycle centre and Kevin and Lilian Nicholson who lead a weekly walking group.

Councillor Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care said:

I’m delighted that we were able to gather our volunteers together and put on a celebration like this. These people are at the very heart of the borough’s Your Call ethos and have all put in such hard work over many hours.

The aim of the night was to give them some recognition and celebrate the positive impact they have on our services, many of which wouldn’t operate without their support.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with re:fresh, please visit www.refreshbwd.com or contact (01254) 587661.

This site uses cookies. Find out more about this site’s cookies.