PAVS Volunteering Pembrokeshire held a National Volunteers’ Week celebration event at the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot to recognise and give thanks to volunteers giving their time and commitment within their communities in Pembrokeshire.

Over 130 people attended a very lively event with over 20 voluntary organisations promoting various volunteering opportunities and new projects. Those who attended had the chance to try something new, including art with the VC Gallery, painting sunflowers with Paul Sartori, Welsh with Menter Iaith Sir Benfro, willow craft with Pembroke 21C and a mini litter pick with Keep Wales Tidy.

The PAVS Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards took place at the event giving recognition in six categories - trustee, individual aged Over 25, individual aged Under 25, group Over 25, Mike Beckett Award - group under the age of 25 and the Mary Sigley Award (where volunteering has changed the life of a person).

Peter Davies, chair of WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action), attended to present the awards and Alex Beckett presented the Mike Beckett Award.

The winners were as follows:

Individual aged Over 25: winner - Margaret Heron (Paul Sartori Foundation); Highly Commended - Jan Olin (PATCH), Tordy Jones (PATCH), Joan Palmer (Pembrokeshire Youth Justice Team); Commended - Christine Bellingham (Alzheimer’s Society), Stephen Lucas (Transition Bro Gwaun).

Individual aged Under 25: winner - Carwyn Owen (Duke of Edinburgh Awards); Highly Commended - Liam Cole (SPAN Arts); Commended - Dylan Jones (Milford Haven RFC).

Trustee award: winner - Janet Drogan (Pembroke Town Walls Trust); Highly Commended - Annette Barry (Forget Me Knot Dementia Group), Dennis O’Connor (PATCH); Commended - MIND Pembrokeshire Trustee Board, Paul Sartori Foundation Trustee Board.

Mary Sigley award: winner - Kim Jameson (Burns By Your Side); Highly Commended - Christine Bellingham (Alzheimer’s Society); Commended - Mark Henry (PATCH).

Group aged Over 25: winner - Burns By Your Side; Highly Commended - Llanrhian Community, Transition Bro Gwaun Café; Commended - SPPOT Volunteer Dog Walkers, Newport Community Library.

Mike Beckett award - group aged Under 25: winner - PATCH; Highly Commended - Goodwick Youthbank; Commended - 2nd Milford Haven Sea Scouts.

There are over 400 volunteering opportunities in lots of areas from environment and conservation to volunteer driving, and much more.

If you would like to find out more about how to get involved, contact PAVS on 01437 769422/[email protected] www.volunteering-wales.net