17 October 2005
Chris Allen of Withywood, volunteer for CSV Environment, is one of 50 Bristol volunteers who received a Year of the Volunteer medal in recognition of their service to their local community.
Lord Lieutenant, Mr Tidmarsh awarded the medals - produced by the Royal Mint - on Monday 17 October at Lord Mayor’s Mansion House, Clifton Down, Bristol.
During the Year of the Volunteer campaign, CSV nationally has commissioned 2,005 medals, which are being awarded to outstanding volunteers across the county to celebrate their contribution to others. A lucky few will also be invited to a national celebration event to be held in early 2006 at an exclusive location in London.
Chris Allen volunteers as a community gardener helping the older residents of south Bristol manage their gardens. The Older People’s Gardening Project is Bristol’s answer to Ground Force, with work ranging from mowing, weeding, hedgecutting to complete garden makeovers. Chris has provided essential support for over 60 households in the area.
CSV Environment’s Tamlin Gilbert said “We work on a pioneering project that has grown tremendously in just one year, showing there’s a real need for the service. Chris’s contribution has been invaluable and a key to its success”. Residents have said: “I haven’t been very well, so I haven’t been able to work on the garden so I was really pleased Chris was able to help. When my son visited me from Australia he said I’d got the nicest garden in the street!” (Mrs Sutton); “Chris is a very hard worker, honest and genuine. He says things from the heart and deserves to be recognised” (Mrs Penny).
Elizabeth Salter, CSV Head of Campaigns, says: “The Year of the Volunteer medal is just a small way to thank the incredible hard work of so many committed volunteers from Bristol who give up their time to help others. I hope that the medal winners inspire anyone who hasn’t already enjoyed the benefits of volunteering to give it go and make a difference in their local community.”
Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between CSV and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office.