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Local charity awards platinum award to Warwickshire volunteer
Saying thank you is the theme of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when charities and organisations celebrate the unpaid work done by millions of volunteers across the UK.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance’s (WNAA) charity. It could not operate its 24/7 frontline services and continue to save lives without the support of its dedicated volunteers – such as WNAA volunteer, Sean Aston.
Sean (54) – from Curdworth, Warwickshire – has been volunteering for the lifesaving charity since 2007, wanting to help the service continue to save lives.
“I wanted to support the worthy cause as my son was helped by the helicopter and the fantastic crew after an accident, plus I’m a truck driver so you never know if I would ever need the crew’s critical care,” explained Sean.
Since Sean began volunteering for the vital charity, he’s brought in a brilliant £7,151.33 for the lifesaving service through community tin collections.
Sean – along with all the charity’s volunteers – will be celebrated and thanked by the charity during this year’s Volunteers’ Week which also coincides with the charity’s celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Sean will be presented with a platinum award for his long service and will be invited to the charity café tea parties and receive a special Jubilee mug- to mark the regal milestone.
Head of Volunteering for the charity, Sue Haslett commented: “Our volunteers help in a variety of different ways across the charity, whether they’re raising funds out in the community, supporting in our offices or warehouse, delivering projects, or helping in our shops – every hour that they give makes a difference.
“We couldn’t operate without them, and I’d like to say a big thank you to Sean for his incredible dedication, and to each other volunteer for their ongoing support which helps us to save lives.
“We hope our volunteers enjoy the Jubilee celebrations. Every one of our volunteers already wears a crown, which they should wear with pride, as they are our volunteer royalty.”
The charity hails over 1,200 dedicated volunteers – and with over 50 different volunteering roles- it’s always looking for more people to donate their time or expertise.
“Volunteering is great, I like being out and about in the community and supporting my local air ambulance. I’ve learnt how essential the service is, costing on average £1,700 per mission as it receives no government funding,” added Sean.
