Volunteer group wins award
The Cambridge Cancer Society Volunteer Support Group received a Commendation Award at the Waikato Volunteer Excellence Awards held recently.
The group, which currently has 17 members and has been around since 1986, was nominated by the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society.
‘‘In the past year these dedicated volunteers have given over 1500 hours in support to those with cancer in their community,’’ Volunteer Development Manager Nicola Bowe said.
‘‘They make themselves available to their clients, which gives comfort to the person and reassurance to their families and loved ones, particularly if they do not live close by.’’
The group provides many services such as transport, companionship, practical home help and referrals to support.
They even provide regularly checkups after a client has had an operation.
Cambridge woman Bev Buchly is the co-ordinator for the support group, and became involved in in 2009 when she retired from farming.
She took over as co-ordinator in 2011.
She hopes the award will spread awareness about their group. She said sometimes people forget what support is available to them within their community.
‘‘We have 22 drivers in Cambridge, and we need that many because quite often people will go away for a month or so, and if someone has a cold or the flu they can’t be a driver,’’ she said.
Along with their certificate they won a $200 hamper, but they will raffle it off as a fundrasier for this year’s Daffodil Day, which is on Friday August 26.