Dedicated Volunteer honoured during a special ceremony

John Shemilt, a dedicated volunteer from Stone was honoured during a special awards ceremony. John joined over 50 volunteers at the inaugural Volunteer Staffordshire Awards held at Chase Golf Club on Saturday 5 February.

John was presented the award by Malcolm Duncan, Sport across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Board Member and representative.

 

A dedicated member of the Stone and District Swimming Club and a fantastic swimmer himself, John has taken on a number of different voluntary roles.  

 

These include being a voluntary lifeguard and committee member at the swimming club for more than 40 years. 

 

John, who is 70 years old, was chosen for his lifesaving skills and commitment to sport. 

 

John said: “I was amazed when I was told that I had been nominated for this award and absolutely delighted to have won it.  

 

“I could barely swim when I joined the club many years ago and owe a lot to the people who ran it at the time. That’s why I have been keen to give something back and to pass on the knowledge that I have gained to other people. 

 

“Everyone who runs the club is a volunteer and they all work tirelessly and selflessly as a team for the good of the community.”

Malcolm Duncan (right) presents John Shemilt (left) 
with his award.

The gala celebration event was the culmination of a joint call from Staffordshire County Council and Volunteer Centres Staffordshire to the public to nominate the people that make a difference.  

 

County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said: “I would like to congratulate the nine winners and thank them for the selfless work that they carry out in the community. 

 

“Their efforts help to make Staffordshire the great place it is to live and work and they deserve the highest praise. 

 

“The awards reflect the wide range of ways that people are making a real and vital difference to the community. I really appreciate the good work that the winners, and all those who were nominated, do for the people of Staffordshire.”

 

The aim of the awards was to recognise Staffordshire’s unsung volunteer heroes, and the people that help and support them, and thank them for making their community and Staffordshire a better place. 

 

More than 300 nominations were received since the campaign’s launch in October. 

 

 

An independent panel of judges including Chairman of Staffordshire County Council Erica Bayliss, Andy Halden, of the Community Council of Staffordshire, Christine Harris, Pride of Tamworth Volunteer of the Year, and Viv Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Staffordshire Parish Councils Association, chose the winners.   

 

Malcolm Duncan, Sport across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent, said “I am delighted to have presented the award to such a deserving volunteer. John really does go that extra mile to help teach others what they need to become confident swimmers.”

 

People can go to www.volunteerstaffordshire.org.uk to browse the hundreds of opportunities across the county that need volunteers now.   

 

Gina Wookey
Marketing Assistant (People)
Communications & Marketing Team
T: 01785 276856
E: gina.wookey@staffordshire.gov.uk