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They're all real stars
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Wednesday 23rd Aug 2006.
SWINDON's charity stalwarts work countless hours doing thankless tasks and ask for nothing in return.
But yesterday 12 of them were rewarded for their tireless efforts.
The Charity Star Awards ceremony at the Brunel Centre honoured the heroes who do so much to help others in the town.
A dozen volunteers were nominated and three were picked out by Brunel Centre manager Nick Beaumont-Jones and Swindon deputy mayor Michael Barnes, for the star awards.
Such was the commitment of the volunteers that one of the winners, Angie Lambert, of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, was planning on working through her lunch hours next week to justify taking time off to pick up her silver star.
Angie decided to help the MS Society after her husband was diagnosed with the disease 13 years ago. Since then she has helped the society as well as caring for her husband.
"It's very humbling to get the award, but it is recognition not just for me but everybody," she said.
"This is the Swindon branch's 40th anniversary year, and the award is for all of the people who have gone before me, who are here now and who will carry on after me."
Jill Grubb was ecstatic with her award, but was thinking of the publicity it would bring to Home Start, a charity that helps families with young children.
She said: "I'm delighted, mainly because it's a good way of getting Home Start's name out there.
"We've got a team of volunteers who do a brilliant job, and it's nice to get recognition from time to time."
Colleagues of Jill said she had helped so many vulnerable families over the years.
For Dinah Moon, of the Samaritans, the Star award recognised almost 40 years of work.
Dinah is one of two original members of Swindon Samaritans who began helping out in 1967 and has given up an estimated 7,500 hours of her time to lend an ear to people in difficulty.
"It's a nice gesture," she said of the award.
Mr Beaumont-Jones said: "We've always felt that being a shopping centre within the town centre of Swindon and being part of the community is a very important part of what we do.
"These people receive no pay or reward for helping people and we wanted to bring what they do to light."
The other nine charity workers were given certificates in honour of their hard work.
Rollofhonour
Those receiving awards were:Local Advertisers
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