A group of Fire Service volunteers from Basingstoke recently received a Volunteering Recognition award in the latest National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Celebrating Prevention Awards.
Basingstoke volunteers Deb Dargue, Lorraine Lodge, Shirley Hemstock and Tracey Van Leeuwen received the special recognition for contributing a whopping 1,500 volunteer hours between them. They were presented with certificates in a ceremony held at Basingstoke Fire Station on Tuesday 14 January. At the presentation ceremony they were described as “valuable members of the team and excellent ambassadors.”
A few highlights from their long list of achievements include volunteering at the Covid vaccination centre, producing hundreds of campaign safety packs and supporting the home fire safety visits evaluation programme. The volunteers also helped at station open days and community events as well as acting as representatives on the volunteer forum.
Volunteer Programme Manager Lee Joss said:
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the team of Basingstoke volunteers. They are all very deserving of this special recognition and we are extremely grateful for all they do for the Service. Well done and thank you!”
Volunteer Lorraine Lodge said:
“It’s lovely to be appreciated and what better way than to get an award.”
Volunteer Deb Dargue said:
“The certificate really does make us feel appreciated.”
Last year our valued volunteers gave over 7,000 hours of their time to support the Service and the contribution of all our volunteers is vital to the organisation.
Volunteer Shirley Hemstock said:
“As volunteers we do what we can to help, wherever we can, with no expectation or need for thanks. We were therefore delighted to receive this award and it was so great to be recognised. Thank you!”
Volunteer Tracey Van Leeuwen said: