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Community Citizen Award Winner
Friday 24 October 2008
The winner of the annual Community Citizen Awards was announced today at a special reception at the Town Hall. The Mayor of Durham, Cllr Grenville Holland, presented Rhona Foster of Waterhouses with her award and a cheque for £500 for a community project of her choice.
The annual awards celebrate the work of community members, unsung heroes and dedicated volunteers who freely give up their time to help out in their communities.
The Mayor, Cllr Grenville Holland said: "All too often volunteers, and their important contribution to our society, are ignored. This excellent initiative has helped to restore the balance. I am delighted to have this opportunity to recognise Rhona's admirable contribution both to Waterhouses Community Association and to Age Concern. I would also like to congratulate all the participants. Hopefully today's award will encourage many more people to act as volunteers in their communities".
Rhona, who was nominated by Valerie King, has been
involved in voluntary work for many years.Presently
secretary of Waterhouses Community Association, she is
also a volunteer for Age Concern through which she is a
qualified Exercise to Music Instructor. She runs classes
and taster sessions which have helped many people improve
their health and social lives. She is also Neighbourhood
Co-ordinator for the local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
Her dedication to the local community was proven when a
fire decimated the village hall. Rhona worked tirelessly
to retain the sense of community by ensuring all clubs
and groups were temporarily relocated and that the
community were part of the rebuild helping to ensure that
the new village hall is the well-equipped facility it is
today.
This year the awards were judged by Inspector Ian Proud of Durham Police, Sue Parkinson of Chester-le-Street and District Enterprise Agency and Dave Turnbull of the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and also Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership. They examined more than 30 entries, before choosing six finalists and then the overall winner.
Jackie Donnelly, organiser of the awards said: "As in previous years, choosing a winner is always a difficult decision for our judging panel. All the nominees and finalists thoroughly deserve acknowledgement for the valuable work they do in the community."