'Pride in Basildon Borough' Volunteer Awards Ceremony 2017

All of this year's award nominees and their special guests were invited to this prestigious gala event, which was generously sponsored by a number of Basildon based businesses.

Entertainment was provided by the artistic performance team from Woodlands School and Jacques Bottjer of Poetry To Succeed.

Winners of each category were presented with a trophy, a certificate of appreciation and a prize voucher by the Councillor David Harrison, Mayor of Basildon and the award category sponsors.

Tony Guyon 'Volunteer of the Year' Memorial Cup

The winners of each award category are also put forward to win the prestigious Tony Guyon 'Volunteer of the Year' Memorial Cup. Tony Guyon was a popular and committed member of Basildon Council's Community Engagement Team who sadly passed away in 2010. Tony loved to spend his spare time volunteering in his local community and he played his part in helping to make Basildon a better borough. This special award embodies Tony Guyon's dedication towards volunteering.

This year's Tony Guyon 'Volunteer of the Year' Memorial Cup was awarded to Neil Hart, who also received Community Star category award.  Neil is the Chair of Vange Community Group and has secured £345000 in funding for a community centre to be built on Kent View Recreation Ground. Kent View Community Centre has within it a pre-school, and provides a venue for dementia sessions, a community café, craft sessions and community fish and chip suppers.

Tony Guyon 'Volunteer of the Year' Memorial Cup sponsored by:

Pinnacle PSG (opens new window)

Volunteer Award Categories, Sponsors and Recipients

The Sunshine Award 11-21yrs

Awarded to Hollie Smith- for her support and advice to other young people.

Sponsored by

Community Star Award

Awarded to Neil Hart  - for his success in securing funding for a community centre to be built on Kent View Recreation Ground.

Sponsored by

Inspirational Role Model Award

Awarded to Aston Avery - for his volunteering at the Gateway 97.8FM community radio station and for his tireless fundraising for charities supporting those with autism.

Sponsored by

Volunteer Fundraiser Award

Awarded to Tracy Whitt - for tireless effort in securing over £200,000 to cover three years funding for charity BASIS (Blind And Sight Impaired Society)

Sponsored by 

Volunteer Project Award

Awarded to Basildon Emergency Night Shelter Team - for providing vital support to homeless people in Basildon during the coldest months of the year.

Sponsored by

Long Service Award

Awarded to John Snoding - for his incredible and ongoing contribution to the Scout Association, achieved over more than 40 years.

Sponsored by

Voluntary Group of the Year Award

Awarded to The Food Ministry Team - St. Andrews and Holy Cross Churches - for their provision of a community lunch service aimed at building friendships and addressing isolation, as well as their provision of cooked meals for children and their families during school holidays.

Sponsored by

Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to Stella Calkin - for having achieved over 54 years of voluntary service with the following organisations including: Citizen's Advice Bureau, Basildon Billericay & Wickford Council of Voluntary Services, Basildon Women's Refuge, Kingswood Community Association and the WRVS.

Further information and enquiries

For further information regarding the Volunteer Awards 2017, see contact details bottom of this page or...

• Watch out for Volunteer Award items on Community Involvement's facebook page (opens new window)
• Watch out for Volunteer Award items on Community Involvement's twitter page (opens new window).