Volunteers recognised for their years of service
THE dedication of Guernsey Voluntary Service members was recognised through an award ceremony at Government House.
Lady Corder, the service’s patron, presented the awards, which were aimed at volunteers who had completed at least 10 years of service and a minimum number of 120 duties.
‘We are always so grateful for their participation in the presentation,’ said GVS administrator Sandra Collins.
‘Being able to have the ceremony at Government House really meant a lot to our volunteers and made the evening so special for the recipients.’
Six volunteers received bronze award certificates for 10 years of service and a minimum of 120 duties, 11 were presented with silver badges for 15 years of service and carrying out at least 180 duties, and three had been volunteering for 20 years with a minimum of 240 duties so were presented with gold badges.
‘Between them, these recipients have carried out a wide range of duties,’ Mrs Collins said.
These have included volunteering at the Jubilee and Russels Day Centres, picking up and dropping off clients, helping at flag days, being involved with the Meals on Wheels scheme, and fundraising.
A platinum award of an engraved vase commemorating 30 years of voluntary service was presented to Frances Cambrai-Bell, who joined the GVS in 1991 and helped with Meals on Wheels, taking on the role of Tuesday round leader from 1999-2012.
‘I’m trying to give back something to the island that the island has given me,’ she said, and encouraged young people to help out too.
‘You meet people from all walks of life and it’s a really worthwhile thing to do. It shows you how people live and how poverty-stricken and lonely some people are.’
She said she also consistently volunteered on flag days.
‘It’s been great fun really and you meet a lot of people. It’s something people should do if they want to see what Guernsey life is about.’
