Sue’s honoured for 40 years of service
Newbury woman has dedicated four decades to volunteering
GLASSES were raised at the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire last week to celebrate a volunteer who has dedicated 40 years to the organisation.
Sue Campbell, who has been volunteering in Newbury for four decades, was congratulated by director Garry Poulson, Newbury mayor Billy Drummond and the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire James Puxley, among others.
Many of Mrs Campbell’s colleagues gathered to honour her work and presented her with a certificate to recognise her work.
Former chairman of trustees Brian Phillips kicked off the speeches with a warm welcome to all of the guests and the “star” Mrs Campbell.
Mr Poulson talked about the importance of volunteering and what it meant for the wider community.
He noted: “She left no stone unturned, she has helped in so many ways and is a friend to all of us.
“So thank you very much from us all.”
Mrs Campbell said she joined when her son was eight years old and she had just given up work.
She said: “I found I didn’t have time to do everything, to get him home, do his homework, feed him, take him to where he was going. I couldn’t handle everything.
“I gave up work and went to the volunteer centre. I never left.”
She said that she had “loved every minute of it” and was “honoured” to have such an unexpected celebration.
Mr Puxley said: “I have huge admiration for her.
“As Lord Lieutenant, it’s amazing, the number of people I meet and Sue is no exception to that.
“It is wonderful to come here to acknowledge 40 years.
“I have pleasure in presenting Sue with this certificate.”
Mrs Campbell thanked everyone for coming and said: “I have loved every minute being at the volunteer centre. It kept me sane during lockdown.
“I do believe people who do volunteer work, do it because they want to do it.
“I am only doing what I want to do. Thank you very much.”
West Berkshire Council chairman Clive Hooker raised his glass and proposed to toast “40 years of wonderful service to the people”.
Mr Drummond highlighted the importance of volunteer work in the town and said: “If we didn’t have that it would be a terrible world really.
“Forty years is an achievement.” Attendees then enjoyed refreshments and a chat.