FIVE ‘UNUSUAL SUSPECTS’ have posed for the cameras to launch the 2009 Dudley CVS Volunteer Awards.
Dudley Volunteer Awards are a special way to thank the people who work tirelessly and without pay to make Dudley borough a better place and this years campaign features local people who do just that!
In parody of a notorious cult movie poster, local community champions starred as themselves for a campaign that will invite Dudley residents to nominate their very own local celebrities to receive awards. A litter picker, community gardener and a football coach, stood in line with a luncheon club helper and even a belly dancer to show the many different ways that people get involved as volunteers all over the borough.
Over the coming weeks expect to see striking posters popping up all over the borough from libraries and housing offices to town centre charity shops. The big aim is to get everyone thinking about who they would like to nominate. The closing date for nominations is Monday September 14th and a variety of special awards will be presented at a glittering awards ceremony at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on October 15th.
Awards include the prestigious Gordon Lindsay award for long service, a special community award sponsored by Dudley Community Partnership and a Young Volunteer of the Year award for someone under the age of 25 who has made a special contribution.
Andy Gray, Chief Officer of Dudley Council for Voluntary Service said, “Once again we are absolutely delighted to host Dudley’s very own Volunteer Awards, this really is the highlight of our year. From Coseley to Halesowen and everywhere in-between we know that there are thousands of people who give up their time, without pay, to make Dudley borough a better place. I can’t think of a more special way to recognise and honour this than with a big celebration to say thank you!”
And if you’re wondering about the belly dancer? Andy added, “There are also endless ways in which people volunteer and our campaign shows just a few of them. From Katie who accompanies her local Youth Pact on litter picks, to Dudley’s former queen of culture Pat Wakelam who keeps older people fit and healthy with her ‘Desert Orchids’ belly dancing troupe. This is just the kind of variety that we are hoping to see in the nominations that we receive!”
Nomination forms can be collected from libraries, housing offices and Dudley Council Plus, downloaded from www.dudleycvs.org.uk or call 01384 573381.
