Volunteer award
Two volunteers from West London were among five outstanding volunteers who were given awards by the National Deaf Children’s Society at a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham on Saturday, October 26.
Georgie Donohoe, 25, from Hayes, scooped the Youth Support Volunteer Additional Supporter of the Year award, while Arran Masterman, 27, of Feltham, won the Youth Support Volunteer Group Supporter of the Year award in recognition of their work for the charity.
Youth Support Volunteers support and assist deaf children and young people at events organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society, enabling them and their families to fully participate in activities.
Commenting on her award, Georgie said: “I feel very honoured and grateful to receive this award. I volunteer with the National Deaf Children’s Society because it is a great opportunity to work with deaf children and see the joy on their faces when they meet other deaf children. The excitement they have for all the activities we do is great and being part of that is a fantastic feeling.”
Arran also commented on his award, and said: “I volunteer for the National Deaf Children’s Society because I can empathise fully with deaf young people and I understand how difficult it can be. I am now in a position to be a role model for these young people and I want to encourage them to know they can do anything. I feel so incredibly proud to receive the award because it has proved to me that my work has been valued and recognised.”
Paul Needham, Head of Volunteering for the National Deaf Children’s Society’s, added: “I want to congratulate Georgie and Arran on their well-deserved awards. They have been inspirational ambassadors for the National Deaf Children’s Society.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the fantastic support of volunteers like Georgie and Arran. Not only is their work transformative for the families of deaf children, but they are also powerful advocates of our work to support the UK’s 50,000 deaf children.”