Volunteers who go above and beyond to help others in their communities have been recognised in a virtual awards ceremony highlighting their selfless work.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the HEY Smile Foundation and partners held the Volunteer Awards 2020 virtually, celebrating the incredible work of dozens of volunteers across a range of sectors in the Humber region for the second consecutive year.
More than 150 nominations were received for 10 awards categories and the judges, comprising of event partners and sponsors, chose a shortlist of 47 before the winners were announced by event host, stage and radio presenter Darren Lethem via Facebook and YouTube on Thursday, October 8.
All shortlisted entries will receive a trophy to mark their achievements and every shortlisted individual or team received a personalised bottle of prosecco to enjoy while watching the awards online.
Angela and Colin Brown, from North Frodingham near Driffield, won the Behind the Scenes Award for their work in making a difference to local babies, children and their families via Beverley-based charity Bundles of Joy The charity, founded by Claire Raper in 2016, helps to relieve poverty and offers support to disadvantaged families, providing clothing, toiletries, nappies, toys, prams, cots and other essential baby equipment.
Claire, who nominated Angela and Colin, said the couple continue to play a crucial role in supporting her and the charity, helping with 400 referrals from March to June, including those who have fled domestic abuse, cleaning donations, making ‘angel gowns’ for stillborn babies, and much more.
Angela said: “We’re very humbled. It’s not something we ever expected but we’re really pleased, especially for the charity.
“We’re retired, so we have plenty of time and it keeps us busy. There’s always a lot of work to do behind the scenes. We watched the awards at Claire’s house and we had a lovely night with pizza and prosecco. It was really nice to be able to celebrate together.”
Claire added: “I couldn’t have got through lockdown as a crisis charity on my own without Angela and Colin. It was so fast-paced and there was a massive need. It was so important they got some recognition for the hours and dedication they put in.”
Meanwhile, the winner of the Public Services Award and overall winner was Humberside Police Special Sergeant Shane O’Neill. He was nominated by Special Chief Inspector Joseph Broderick, who said Shane has helped to make the North Lincolnshire community safer for nine years.
Special Chief Inspector Broderick provided examples of Shane’s work, including arresting five men for being equipped to steal and possession of an offensive weapon after finding a machete and other items used in burglaries. He also stopped a vehicle based on intelligence, searched the driver and found £50,000 worth of cocaine, which led to the driver’s arrest, and arrested two males for burglary despite being assaulted in the process.
Shane said: “It’s great to be recognised for the voluntary work we do. There are a large number of Special Constables within Humberside Police who all put themselves in harm’s way for no financial reward and mainly for job satisfaction and enjoyment.
“We don’t do it for recognition, but it’s nice when you receive it. I watched the awards and really enjoyed it. It’s great that the charity improvised to make sure the event could still go ahead.”
Praising Shane for his professionalism and attitude, Special Chief Inspector Broderick said: “The minimum hours a Special Constable must complete per year is 208. Shane regularly goes far beyond this. From January to July 2020 alone, he completed 394 hours and, in 2019, he completed 931.”
The awards attracted entries from across Hull, the East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire.
Sarah Shepherdson, Communications and Events Manager at the HEY Smile Foundation, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to receive so many entries, which were all incredible in their own right and meant it was a really tough challenge for our judges to choose the shortlist and the winners.
“We’re proud of every single volunteer and it’s important to recognise their incredibly valuable contributions to help others. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and although we weren’t able to celebrate in person, we couldn’t let this important event pass, so I’m delighted the virtual route we took was a great success.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever held a virtual event as a charity and I’d like to thank Portfolio Hull and our host Darren Lethem for their support in bringing everything together to make it possible.”
Nisa Retail’s Making a Difference Locally charity along with East Riding of Yorkshire Council were the event partners for the awards.
The winners are:
Connecting Communities Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Nippon Gohsei
Winner: Carol Anscombe – Healthwatch North Lincolnshire
Environment/Conservation Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Transwaste
Winner: Incredible Edible Marshland
Behind the Scenes Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Umber Creative
Winner: Angela and Colin Brown, Bundles of Joy
Highly commended: Chris Walker, Sight Support
Trustee Award – Sponsored by Smailes Goldie
Winner: Angela Broekhuizen, Downright Special
Volunteer Team Award – Sponsored by Arco
Winner: Humber NHS Volunteer Driver Team
Highly commended: Hull Street Angels Trinity
Community Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Nisa Retail
Winner: Alan Bowmaster
Public Service Award – Sponsored by The One Point
Winner: Shane O’Neill, Humberside Police
Sports Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Active Humber
Winner: Pauline Hardy, Reckitts Netball Club and Humberside County
Highly commended: Laura Gulley, Fitmums and Friends
Young Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Eltherington
Winner: William Parker, Health Tree Foundation
Fundraiser Award – Sponsored by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) Yorkshire and the Humber
Winner: Janet Wright, The Snaith School