Long service awards for day centre stalwarts

VALUED volunteers at the Thame and District Day Centre, who have been offering their time and energy to support the work of the centre for 10 years or more, were rewarded this evening at a special presentation event at the Three Horseshoes pub in Towersey.

The Chair of the Day Centre’s Officers, Tyrell Gillman, presented certificates of long service to five volunteers, including Owen Davies, who has been a volunteer driver for over 15 years and has since become a Trustee. Tyrell explained that Owen is always on hand to step in if another volunteer is ill or on holiday, and also helps out with trips.

The other recipients of Certificates were Margaret Robinson, for 11 years service. One of her main duties is to ensure that none of the centre’s members has the hassle of collecting their prescriptions from the pharmacy.

Wednesday volunteer, Marion Edwards, started giving her time back in 2005, and as well as volunteering at the Day Centre, ensures that every member, volunteer and staff member receives a birthday and a Christmas card from the centre.

Pat Draper has also been volunteering at the centre for 10 years, currently on Fridays and, Tyrell explained: “..is a master at baking beautiful cakes for special events at the Day Centre, mince pies at Christmas and is an awesome tea maker.”

Ron Clanfield started as a volunteer driver in 2004, bringing members to the centre every Tuesday morning, and, as Tyrell said: “…is also always happy to step into the breach for another volunteer who may be ill or away on holiday, and like Owen, also helps out with the regular trips the members are taken on.”

A special gift of his favourite whisky was presented to volunteer, Doug Hayes who, after eight years, is leaving to move on to pastures new..

Reflecting on the meaning of the word ‘volunteer’, Tyrell told the 40 or so assembled volunteers and friends that it had accured to him today that if all those in the country who ‘freely offer to work for no pay’ suddenly stopped volunteering: ‘….the country would probably resemble Greece!”

You can find out more about the work of the Thame and District Day Centre, and how to get involved in volunteering at the centre for a few hours a week, by visiting the centre’s website: http://www.thameanddistrictdaycentre.co.uk/whatwedo.html