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Trolley dashers will be put on their marks by Mayor
A SPECTACULAR charity trolley dash will kick off the Winchester Area Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Newly appointed Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Mike Read, will set the trolley dashers on their marks and the awards committee members will grab as much food as they can off the shelves of Sainsbury's at Badger Farm, tomorrow (Thursday May 22).
They will have about three minutes to fill their trolleys and all their loot will then be handed over to staff and volunteers at Winchester's Basics Bank, based in the basement of City Church in Jewry Street.
The charity relies on donations of food and clothing to dish out to those in the city who need emergency aid packages.
Cllr Chris Pines, former mayor of Winchester, once said of the district's volunteers "you keep society going and we don't thank you enough,".
That is why the Winchester Area Volunteer of The Year Awards are gearing up for a sixth year.
The Winchester Volunteer Centre, based in The Winchester Centre, St George's Street, has teamed up with its partners the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Constabulary and IBM to honour those modest people who freely give their time to help others.
A new twist for this year is that businesses who provide staff time or equipment to organisations will also have a chance to get recognition by either nominating themselves or by others putting them forward.
There are no age barriers, the competition is open to young and old alike; the only condition is that nominees must volunteer or live in the Winchester district.
The categories this year are: Volunteer of the Year, the Youth Award, Long Service Award, Volunteer Driver, the Business Award and the Nympha Ashbolt Award.
The Nympha Ashbolt Award was first made three years ago in memory of its namesake who was a Special Constable, a champion of volunteering and who had the original idea for the Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Nympha died in 2004, aged 37, having given more than 1,000 hours of her own time to volunteering.
This special award is for those unsung heroes who an individual or community just couldn't do without.
The only way to nominate for this award is through the Hampshire Chronicle.
From Thursday June 5 a nomination coupon will be run in the paper for the six-week nomination period.
Cut out the coupon, fill it in and return it to Louise Glyde, Hampshire Chronicle, Staple House, Staple Gardens, Winchester, HANTS, SO23 8SR.
The nomination period for individuals and businesses kicks off closes on Tuesday July 15.
Nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony, hosted at IBM Hursley, on Friday October 3.
For more information about the awards call or email Louise Glyde, Hampshire Chronicle reporter on 01962 833137/ louise.glyde@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.
Alternatively ring the Winchester Volunteer Centre and speak to Sue Heath Caldwell on 01962 848030 or email suehc@waca.org.uk.
11:33am Wednesday 21st May 2008
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