Student volunteers celebrate success

13 April 2005

Students who give up their free time to volunteer for community projects across the region will be rewarded for all their hard work at a special awards ceremony tomorrow night (Thursday 14 April).

The Annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony, to be held from 7pm at Seale-Hayne Grand Hall, has been organised to celebrate the extensive and diverse volunteering efforts put in by University of Plymouth students over the last year.

The auspicious awards include Community Project of the Year, Student Campaigner and Union Executive Officer of the Year. The evening is a chance for community partners, staff and fellow students to congratulate and acknowledge the great achievements and contributions made by students to the local community and, through the Students’ Union, the student experience.

The winners of Project of the Year and Student Volunteer of the Year will be put forward to the national Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF) awards. Last year, Moor Trees’ student group was awarded Community Project of the Year and went on to be short-listed (from over 1,500 entrants) for the HEACF student volunteer awards. The event begins with a champagne reception and buffet, followed by a presentation of the awards and disco.

Kate Hewett, Volunteer Co-ordinator at the university, said: "The Award Ceremony is always a great celebration of student activity and this year promises to live up to these expectations. Last year’s event was a great success and this year – as student and staff volunteering goes from strength to strength – I am sure the awards ceremony will be an even bigger success."

ENDS

For further information please email: publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk. For further information about student volunteering opportunities please contact Kate Hewett, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on: 01752 238526 / email: kate.hewett@su.plymouth.ac.uk.

Notes to Editors:
The nominees are as follows (mobile numbers are provided for those who are available for interview):

1) Student Project of the Year – the Moor Trees project: Luke Bramley
2) Campaigner of the Year – the Fair Trade campaign: Carrie Flint (mobile: 07841 870225) and Elizabeth Harris (mobile: 07967 862996).
3) Welfare Volunteer of the Year: the Spike (responsible drinking) campaign: Emily West and Gemma Farrell (mobile: 07789 992911).