Bury Celebrates its Volunteers

Bury recently celebrated its volunteers in high style. Over 120 volunteers and 40 organisations that offer opportunities enjoyed a well deserved celebration event at the Elizabethan Suite. The Mayor Councillor John Byrne praised the contribution of volunteers before awarding them a certificate in appreciation.

The celebration was organised through Team Bury - the local strategic partnership- and included a range of organisations across the borough. Partner organisations included Bury Education Services, Bury Youth Offending Service, Bury Sport and Physical Activity Service, Bury Library Service, Bury Rangers Parks and Countryside Service, Adult Care Services and Bury Youth Service, the local police, Bury vinvolved Team and Bury Third Sector Development Agency.

A national flavour was given from guest speaker Peter Sloan, Volunteering England. Peter said that, "Volunteers make the difference to so many, helping to improve people’s lives on a daily basis".

Local talent was there to help the celebration. Bury Youth Services’ Bury Shakers Cheerleaders gave a lively performance and a local acappella  group the Bury AcaPeelers Community Choir  impressed with their choral harmonies. A name to remember was local singer Katie Koo who works for Bury Youth Offending Service who entertained the audience throughout the evening.

Graeme Kerby, volunteer and Chair of Bury vinvolved’s Youth Action Team said “It was great to see volunteers being recognised at the event. It also proved to be a good networking event where you could meet and swap stories with volunteers from a variety of organisations”.

The celebration also found stories of genuine unselfishness and inspiration. Local young person Gurch has volunteered for Bury Youth Service for over two years. “I was a troubled teenager when I was offered a volunteering role and the opportunity turned my life around. I have since been out of trouble and have gained full time employment with the Youth Service. I am very grateful”.

Eleni Ioannides, who attended as Head of Children’s Services in Bury said. "Volunteers contribute so much but are never really appreciated as a group across the borough. This event tonight was needed to show how much we all appreciate the work that they do."