Students win volunteering awards
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Two University of Surrey students have won the Vinspired Regional Volunteering Awards 2010. Becky Robinson and Francesca Oh have been named the winners of the prestigious regional ‘Vinspired’ volunteering awards for the South East – Becky for the ‘Legend’ Leadership Award, and Francesca in the ‘Shout’ campaigning category.
Becky is the Student Union’s elected Community Officer and her ‘Legend’ award recognises her contribution to volunteering through leadership. Becky’s enthusiasm for her elected volunteer role at the Students’ Union has led the way for improved relations between the local community and the student population. Becky is a fantastic role model for anyone interested in volunteering, as within the space of a year Becky has involved herself with every volunteering opportunity she can, from volunteering with Age Concern on their GO50 Health Walks, working on health campaigns with the Student Health Centre, working as the Charities Officer on the RAG (Raising and Giving) Committee, helping at a National Autistic Society Youth Club and being on the Guildford Sport Relief Mile Management Team.
Becky, aged 20, said: “Throughout, the last year I have seen the difference that volunteering efforts can make and I've been lucky enough to work on some amazing projects with some great people. Winning the ‘Legend’ Award for the South East Region means a lot to me and I'm very grateful to be recognised; especially as I've already got so much out of volunteering, I feel this is an incredible bonus.”
Francesca’s Shout award for voluntary campaigning recognises her commitment to the Guildford Mukono-Link project which twins local primary schools with their counterparts in Mukono, Uganda. Francesca has passionately raised awareness and funds for the project, and volunteered in Mukono herself. The funds raised have been used to build a library for children. Francesca, aged 22, was also a founder member of the Student Union’s Volunteering Society which continues to go from strength to strength and encourages new volunteers to join community projects.
Vinspired is a national young volunteers’ service, an independent charity dedicated to helping young people to volunteer in ways that matter to them. The awards are an annual celebration of the achievements of young people in the voluntary sector.
Both students have now been entered as regional winners into the competition for the National Awards to be announced in the New Year.
For more information please contact:
Lisa Sweeney
Communications Coordinator
University of Surrey Students’ Union
l.sweeney@surrey.ac.uk
01483 683315