Volunteers praised for 60 years of service (From Daily Echo)

Volunteers praised for 60 years of service

12:30pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By Tara Russell, Feature Writer

IT was a sparkling occasion for the diamond volunteers who have made a lasting contribution to our city.

Three people who have tirelessly dedicated 60 years to the community in Southampton were publically thanked for their efforts.

Between them they have committed 180 years of their lives to volunteering in the city.

They are Reg Lowman, 83, a League of Friends volunteer at Southampton General Hospital, who has helped to raise more than £10 million; Kenneth Sherman, 83, who has been involved in the Scouting organisation in Southampton since he was 14; and Lillian Wadesley, 92, who has clocked up decades playing the organ in her local church.

They each shone as they took centre stage to be presented with a certificate and a bouquet by city mayor councillor Derek Burke and the CEO of Volunteering England Justin Davis-Smith, who had come to the city from London to be part of the ceremony held at the Mayor’s Parlour in the Civic Centre. Mr Davis-Smith said: “Their achievements are absolutely extraordinary and it literally takes your breath away just how dedicated these people are.

“I am honoured to be part of the ceremony and touched by the energy they have no doubt passed onto everyone from youngsters to people in church and people in hospital.”

Supported by the Daily Echo the rare set of awards was made possible thanks to the Southampton Volunteers Alliance made up of Southampton Voluntary Services, Southampton City Council, Business Solent, Business in the Community, Southampton Chamber of Commerce and The Rainbow Centre.