Newbury Civic Award honours for homeless centre volunteers
The 2014 Civic Award went to 80-year-old Jane Sutton, from West Mills, who volunteered at Loose Ends – a drop in centre serving the homeless and vulnerable in Newbury – for 17 years, until retiring recently on her 80th birthday.
Her volunteering involved being part of a team providing food and support for the centre users, some of whom have behavioural problems caused by substance abuse or mental health problems.
Dedicating her award to others, she said: “I’m pleased but this award should really go to [the founders of Loose Ends] Richard and Wendy [Westall] – they are wonderful. I am a Christian and Jesus told us to observe one another, which is what I do.”
The winner of the Young Person’s Civic Award is also a volunteer at the centre.
Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Cobbett, of Mountbatten Close, Newbury, initially joined the organisation as a session volunteer but rapidly progressed to become a supervisor. He has also been appointed to the committee as the secretary.
He dedicates about 25 hours a month to volunteering and judges commended him for his “enthusiasm and dedication”, describing him as an “inspiration to many”.
He said: “It is lovely to be recognised and I had absolutely no idea that I would win. I mainly do it for the enjoyment and to know I’m helping people in some way.”
Also nominated for the Young Civic Award – which is sponsored by Newbury courier company SWIFT – was Elizabeth Miller. She was put forward for her extensive voluntary work at school and helping to co-ordinate junior dance clubs, and also runs the Christian Union.
Outside of school, she volunteers at the Hampstead Norreys village arts festival and is also a member of the Youth Theatre at The Watermill, Bagnor.
There was also an exceptional award for father and son Trevor and Jason Eggleton, who were recognised for their role helping others during the floods that hit West Berkshire over the winter.
Although they live in Thatcham, the pair travelled every day to Wellington Close, Shaw, where Trevor’s sister lives, during the emergency.
Homes and gardens were badly affected, but through the urgent action of the pair – who linked a series of hoses and pumps to help drain the water – judges said that they played a “significant role” in ensuring more houses did not fall victim to the flood waters.
Residents praised them for working tirelessly day and night alongside the fire service and the army.
Jason said: “We had up to 12 pumps running at one time and we were up to our waists in water. It was horrendous. We were getting there at 6am, not leaving until midnight, and then coming back in at 6am the next day.
“We ended up about £500 out of pocket, but it’s nice to know you’ve been able to help in some way and we are delighted with the award.”
Other nominees for the Civic Award were Waheeda Soomro, for her campaign to tackle the issue of racism through education and her work with All2Gether, which organises the annual CultureFest, and Olwyn Brian, for her volunteer work at Fairclose Day Centre, the Bruce Trust and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.
Also nominated were the West Berkshire Ramblers’ Working Party, and Angus MacDonald, for his volunteer work with several charities.
The winners and nominees were invited to Newbury Town Hall of Monday evening to receive their awards and certificates.
The awards are presented by Newbury Town Council annually to unsung heroes who are judged to have made an exceptional contribution to the Newbury community.
