Charity wants to thank its volunteers for 50 years

AN ORGANISATION that links people with the charities that need them, is planning a reception to say thank you to all those who have volunteered over the past five decades.

Wokingham Volunteer Centre (WVC) provides a platform for people with some time to spare, to get involved with worthwhile activities in the borough.

The organisation is 50 this year, and plans to celebrate the milestone with volunteers old and new at a reception in August.

It is asking the borough to share the news with anyone who has contributed over the years.

Chief officer of the organisation, Nick Fellows, said: “Volunteering isn’t only about helping others.

“It’s also about what you gain from it, personally – a sense of fulfilment, and knowing that you are giving value to your own life as well as other people’s.”

“WVC is planning to treat its volunteers to a special night at Wokingham Cricket Club on Thursday, August 8.

“We’d love to invite people who have worked with us over the past 50 years, and we are putting out a call for anyone who knows someone that perhaps used to volunteer with us, or who has maybe moved away.

“We want to be able to say thank you, to celebrate our 50th birthday with them, and to reflect some of the organisation’s milestone achievements.”

WVC is holding a volunteer fair event in Wokingham Town Hall in February (see above).

The free event will offer a range of interests, with something for everyone.

Charities seeking volunteers on the day will be: Link Visiting Scheme, ABC to Read, Wokingham in Bloom, Berkshire Lowland Search and

Rescue, Green’n’Tidy, Wokingham and Earley Transport Scheme, Wokingham Pride,and Citizens Advice Wokingham.

Also looking to attract new recruits will be: Homestart Wokingham District, Berkshire Scouts, First Days,

National Youth Advocacy Service, Mind in Berkshire, Me2 Club, and Berkshire Vision.

“We’d love people to come and find out what is going on, whether they have lots of time to spare, or just a couple of hours a week.

“And if they can’t join us now, they are very welcome to get to know us, and find out about future volunteering opportunities.”

The volunteer fair event will take place in Wokingham Town Hall on Saturday, February 10, from 10am until 1pm.

■ For more information, and to access its volunteer portal with news about opportunities, visit: wokinghamvolunteercentre.org.uk