5:00am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Christine Sexton
VOLUNTEERS who put in hours of unpaid work have received special awards to mark their outstanding dedication to the community.
Groups from Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford and Southend were recognised as winners of the county’s High Sheriff Awards for 2010.
They were among 41 community projects, charities and individuals to receive awards, certificates and grants totalling £26,158 from the High Sheriff of Essex, Rupert Gosling.
The awards ceremony, sponsored by Essex County Council and organised by Essex Community Foundation, was held at the Fennes Estate, Bocking.
Among the winners were the Southend SOS Bus, which received £1,000 to replace uniforms for volunteers who provide an emergency late night facility for vulnerable people.
John Bastin, co-ordinator for the bus, which has been operating in the town for more than four years, welcomed the extra cash.
He said: “It is really good news for us. Uniforms are quite expensive and this will enable us to buy completely new stuff.
“We will get new polo shirts, sweatshirts and fleeces to keep volunteers warm on cold nights.”
Since the High Sheriffs’ endowed fund was established in 1997, with the Essex Community Foundation, it has distributed £280,000 in grants to voluntary and community organisations which are supporting local people and helping to make Essex communities safer from crime.
Speaking at the event, Mr Gosling said: “The awards provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise the work of these individuals and organisations who make our communities safer places to live and work.”
Basildon Women’s Aid won the High Sheriff’s Cup in recognition of its work supporting women and their families who are fleeing domestic abuse.
The group also received a grant of £440 to buy two digital camcorders and a portable DVD player to assist them in their children’s services work.
Bridgette Smith, family support manager for the refuge attended the awards.
She said: “The money will enable us to buy a camcorder and DVD players. We will use the camcorder for drama therapy where children can talk about their journey and how they arrived at the refuge,.
“The DVD player will allow children who spend a lot of time waiting around at courts, to watch films while they are waiting.”
The special High Sheriffs’ Shield went to Lee Chapel North Junior Neighbourhood Watch in Laindon, for its support of young people in the area.
Pupils, aged ten and 11, from the Phoenix Primary School in Leinster Roiad, Laindon, have been working with the All About Centre, in Laindon, to learn about safety and home security and to promote the Junior Neighbourbourhood Watch scheme in their local community.
The “Pimp My Bike” project, which sees youngsters on the Vange 3/4 estate restoring cycles, won the Essex County Council Bowl and received some more cash to carry on.
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