More than 60 volunteers with 25 years or more involvement in voluntary work had their well deserved moment in the spotlight at a Reception held in their honour at the Europa Gallery, Sutton Library by Volunteer Centre Sutton. Timed to coincide with the 25th Anniversary of Volunteers Week, a national celebration of volunteering, the volunteers were presented with certificates by local MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake in the presence of The Mayor of Sutton, Cllr Margaret Court. The Mayor, who also unveiled a plaque in the library as a permanent commemoration of the major contribution of all Sutton’s volunteers, said ‘It has been such a privilege to meet so many volunteers who have played such a part in enriching our community’.
As part of the celebrations Sarah Nelson, Head of Communications, at Volunteering England presented Elsa Glass, Chair of Trustees at Volunteer Centre Sutton with a plaque recognising the attainment of the Investing in Volunteers award.
Volunteers at the event came from many different voluntary groups, the Citizens Advice Bureau, St Raphael’s Hospice, Save the Children, NSPCC, Scout and Guide groups and many more. A spokesperson from Volunteer Centre Sutton said ‘We didn’t know how many long serving volunteers we would manage to find in Sutton but we needn’t have worried because there are so many wonderful people out there making a real difference’
