A dedicated member of the Stone and District Swimming Club has been named as sporting volunteer of the year at the first Volunteer Staffordshire Awards.
More than 50 volunteers were at Chase Golf Club in Cannock on Saturday night, with nine volunteers, volunteer groups and volunteer professionals taking away a Volunteer Staffordshire Award, including John Shemilt from Stone.
A fantastic swimmer himself, John has taken on a number of different voluntary roles, including a voluntary lifeguard and committee member at the swimming club for more than 40 years.
John, aged 70, was chosen for his lifesaving skills and commitment to sport.
He said: “I was amazed when I was told that I had been nominated for this award and absolutely delighted to have won it. I could barely swim when I joined the club many years ago and owe a lot to the people who ran it at the time. That’s why I have been keen to give something back and to pass on the knowledge that I have gained to other people.
“Everyone who runs the club is a volunteer and they all work tirelessly and selflessly as a team for the good of the community.”
The gala celebration event on Saturday was the culmination of a joint call from Staffordshire County Council and Volunteer Centres Staffordshire to the public to nominate the people that make a difference.
The aim of the awards was to recognise Staffordshire’s unsung volunteer heroes, and the people that help and support them, and thank them for making their community and Staffordshire a better place. More than 300 nominations were received since the campaign’s launch in October.
Nicky Burns, speaking on behalf of Volunteer Centres Staffordshire, said: “It’s fantastic that for the first time we’ve been able to recognise volunteers throughout Staffordshire in this way. Volunteers touch many people’s lives and many of the stories we heard at the awards ceremony highlight how Staffordshire is a much better place because of these wonderful people.
“But we’ve also seen how by volunteering your time, even for just a couple of hours a week, really benefits you; personally, socially and in your work and career. It particularly highlights that there’s no better time to think about volunteering.”
County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said: “I would like to congratulate the nine winners and thank them for the selfless work that they carry out in the community. Their efforts help to make Staffordshire the great place it is to live and work and they deserve the highest praise.”
Click here to browse the hundreds of opportunities across the county that need volunteers now.
