Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, attended the SSCVA Celebration Event which recognised the important of volunteering to support the most vulnerable in society. The event which took place at Trinity Methodist Church in Codsall this weekend celebrated the achievements of volunteers across South Staffordshire.
Gavin is a patron of the SSCVA and this was the third time Gavin has supported their Celebration Event. SSCVA’s volunteer centre in South Staffordshire, provides assistance to individual volunteers and volunteer involving organisations, which is a part of the West Midlands Volunteer Centre Network. The SSCVA invited many groups and organisations from across South Staffordshire to attend the event which saw a wide range community and voluntary groups promote their individual schemes.
The day also saw the presentation of the Gavin Williamson MP Award, which recognised a volunteer that had gone the extra mile in supporting a particular group or person in South Staffordshire. This year the award went to Karl Owen of Halfpenny Green Air Scouts for his devotion to the group over the past 5 years. Karl has built the membership of the Beavers and Cub divisions from 20 to 96 members and the number continues to rise. Under Karl’s leadership the Scout Hut was refurbished, with new carpets, toilets, kitchen and computer suite installed, along with a shooting and archery range transforming the Air Scout Group’s environment.
Gavin said: “I am a huge supporter of the many volunteer groups that we have in South Staffordshire and I’m immensely proud of the work that they do to support our communities and the most vulnerable in society. The celebration event showed how lucky we are to have so many truly amazing people in South Staffordshire.
“It was so difficult to choose a winner from the all the dedicated nominees who selflessly contribute so much to society, however the nominations I received for Karl Owen really showed what it was to be a truly devoted volunteer. Karl gives up his weekends to support team members and his leadership has not only built up membership but transformed the Scout Hut, giving young people an experience that will appreciate for the rest of their lives. I would like to congratulate Karl on his well-deserved award and thanks the SSCVA for the fantastic work they do across South Staffordshire.”