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Tysoe volunteer earns platinum award from local lifesaving charity
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, Faith Hall.
Faith (54)– from Tysoe, Warwickshire – has been volunteering for the lifesaving charity since 2007, wanting to help the service continue to save lives.
“In 2005, Tysoe Social Club decided to have a fundraising event for WNAA as the lifesavers had been in the village one week prior when a child had been hit by a car,” said Faith.
“There was no stopping me then, we had a fun-packed afternoon, local businesses donated prizes for a raffle tombola and balloon race from which we raised a nice amount of money for the charity,” she added.
Since Faith began volunteering for the vital cause, she’s brought in an astonishing £20,160.97 for the lifesaving service through tin collections, cheque presentations, and selling her homegrown produce.
Faith – 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.
She will be presented with a platinum award for her 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 Faith for her 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.
“I enjoy volunteering for the charity, my confidence has grown meeting new people to talk about all the work involved.
“I have been really impressed by the dedication of the team and input from the critical care crews, volunteers, and all involved – so here’s to another year of raising money and keeping us up in the air,” Faith added.