Over the last nine days we have asked our readers to vote for the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network’s Volunteer of the Year 2015.
We received more than 1900 votes and are delighted to announce that with 33% of the vote Fiona Burnet is the winner.
Burnet, who has volunteered at Shelter Scotland’s Prestwick shop for almost 13 years, has knitted a blanket every week for the charity since 2002. Tourists and locals often donate wool to the shop to help Burnet knit her creations, which are then sold in the shop. To date, Burnet has raised more than £2,700 for Shelter Scotland.
Congratulations to Fiona Burnet and the rest of our shortlist. Thank you for all your nominations and votes.
The winner will be rewarded with £200 worth of Love2Shop vouchers. For terms and conditions, click here.
Andrew Mulhall – The Green Patch
Andrew has been volunteering at the Green Patch for a number of years. When he was a child, like many who attend the Green Patch, Andrew went to a school for children with special needs. He helps on Tuesdays, the charity’s volunteer day, and is always cheerful and helpful.
The charity runs a community allotment on two and a half acres of land with hens, ducks and polytunnels. Andrew’s nominator says he likes to be the “chief tour guide” (and even has a special mug with that title on it). He is said to be very proud of the Green Patch and of the work it does, which comes across when he shows visitors around the site. Despite only having the use of one hand, Andrew helps a lot around the site and keeps everyone supplied with hot drinks. Andrew’s nominator says: “Andrew is such an essential part of our team and although we tell him that, to be honoured in this way will boost his confidence enormously.”
Andrew Richardson – Phoenix Resource Centre
Andrew’s nominator says he dedicates his life to this charity selflessly. He works 60-plus hours per week for the organisation because he feels so strongly for the cause. The charity, which he established, takes donations from businesses that would otherwise be put into landfill and redistributes them to those in need. The charity is a local hub for the counties’ food banks and coordinates distribution. It also sends aid overseas – it recently helped Ebola-stricken countries and has sent aid to Nepal. It is said that “all of this would not be possible without Andrews dedication”.
Darren Murinas – Voices of Stoke
Darren faced many barriers as a young boy. In his youth, with a sight impairment, no qualifications and a lack of opportunities, he made choices that led to drug-related crime and three years in prison. While there, Darren felt he had let down society and himself. Since leaving prison Darren has worked on a voluntary basis with local services to gain funding to support people with multiple needs in Stoke-on-Trent. He is now the vice-chair of Stoke Expert Citizens and a board member of a national charity.
To raise awareness of the barriers and stigma that people with multiple needs face and to improve their opportunities, Darren speaks at local and national meetings, writes blogs and articles, and is said to be a “leading role model at Voices of Stoke and throughout the country”. Darren’s nominator says the most important point to raise is that Darren takes full responsibility and lays no blame on anyone for the situation he found himself in. He is said to be “an inspiration to many people and a highly motivated colleague to work alongside”. Not only has Darren created a more fulfilling life for himself, he now educates others on how they can help the people they work with do the same.
Fiona Burnet – Shelter Scotland
Fiona Burnett, who has learning difficulties, has volunteered at Shelter Scotland’s Prestwick shop for almost 13 years and has knitted a blanket every week for the charity since starting in 2002 – that’s 676 blankets. Her nominator says Fiona’s efforts have won the hearts of locals and tourists alike, who often donate wool to the shop to help Fiona knit her creations, which sell for £4 each. To date, her blankets have raised more than £2,700 for Shelter Scotland.
Neville Ball – After Adoption
Neville Ball, a former draughtsman from Bury approaching his 80th birthday, has been with After Adoption for 20 years. Neville is part of the family research team for Reunite, a service that helps bring together adults separated by adoption.
He brings his own experience to this role as he came to After Adoption originally as a service user to find his birth mother. His nominator says Neville deserves special recognition as over the years he has helped reunite hundreds of birth parents and adopted people with his skills in family research and genealogy.
During his time with After Adoption he has made a significant contribution and undertaken many jobs, including painting and decorating. He is willing to turn his hand to anything, his nominator says, and “has become an extremely valued and highly respected member of the After Adoption team. He is loyal, dependable and a good advocate for the organisation.”
