On the 10th October 2023 Warwickshire and Solihull Community and Voluntary Action (CAVA) held a volunteer awards event to celebrate the contributions made by both individual and group volunteers who make a difference to communities in Rugby Borough.
The event was held in the Benn Hall in Rugby and sponsored by Warwickshire County Council, Rugby Borough Council, Silvertime Legal Services Ltd, Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, Sharp, Card Factory and WCAVA.
The categories and commended were as follows:
Community Impact which was sponsored by Silvertime Legal Services Ltd and presented by Councillor Tim Willis, Rugby Borough Council
The winner of the individual category was Simon Dowling for volunteer work with Out Out.
Simon Dowling, Out Out with Councillor Tim Willis, Rugby Borough Council
The nominees for group Community Impact were The Big Sing, Out Out Group and Rugby Litter Busters.
The winner of this category was The Big Sing.
The Big Sing with Councillor Tim Willis, Rugby Borough Council
Community Impact – Wellbeing which was sponsored by Silvertime Legal Services Ltd and presented by Andrew Gabbitas, WCAVA
The individual winner of this category was Sheila Richards for volunteer work with Warwickshire Vision Support.
Sheila Richards, Warwickshire Vision Support with Andrew Gabbitas, WCAVA
The nominees for group Community Impact – Wellbeing were Rugby Street Pastors, Rugby Autism Network, Rugby & Districts MS Group
The winner of this category was Rugby Street Pastors.
Rugby Street Pastors with Andrew Gabbitas, WCAVA
Community Impact – Resilience which was sponsored by Rugby Borough Council.
The individual nominees for this category were Brenda Hunt for volunteer work with Rugby Credit Union and Nicky Walker for volunteer work with Make Lunch Rugby.
The individual winner was Nicky Walker for volunteer work with Make Lunch Rugby.
Nicky Walker with Mary Jane Gunn, Rugby Borough Council
The nominees for group Community Impact – Resilience were Brownsover Family Winter Project, Benn Partnership ESOL Tutors for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and Rugby Food Aid CLC Volunteers.
The winner in this category was Brownsover Family Winter Project.
Brownsover Family Winter Project with Mary Jane Gunn, Rugby Borough Council.
Health and Wellbeing which was sponsored by Warwickshire and Solihull CAVA
The individual nominees were Basil Hopkins for volunteer work with Locke House Vaccination Project, Naomi Isset for volunteer work with Our Jay Foundation and
Phil Bates for volunteer work with Locke House Gardening Group for asylum seekers.
The winner of the individual category was Naomi Isset.
Our Jay Foundation on behalf of Naomi Isset with Andrew Gabbitas, WCAVA
The nominees for group Health and Wellbeing were Gift of Years Group and Locke House Gardening Group for Asylum Seekers.
The winner in this category was Locke House Gardening Group for Asylum Seekers.
Locke House Gardening Group for Asylum Seekers with Andrew Gabbitas, WCAVA
Arts, Culture & Heritage which was presented by the Mayor of Rugby Councillor Maggie O’Rourke
The individual winner of this category was Laura Matthew for volunteer work with Community Choices Network
Laura Matthew with Councillor Maggie O’Rourke, Mayor of Rugby
The nominees for group Arts, Culture & Heritage were Rugby Town Guides and Rugby Community Choir.
The winner of this category was Rugby Town Guides.
Rugby Town Guides with Councillor Maggie O’Rourke, Mayor of Rugby
Environmental & Animal Care which was presented by Jennifer McCabe, Warwickshire County Council.
The nominees for this category were Rugby Litter Busters, Rugby Guide Dogs Volunteer Group, Friends of Cawston Greenway.
The winner of this category was The Friends of Cawston Greenway.
The Friends of Cawston Greenway with Jennifer McCabe, Warwickshire County Council
Sports and Leisure which was presented by Tom Kittendorf, Rugby Borough Council
The winner for this category was Kay Shaw for her work with Rugby and Northampton Athletics Club.
Amy Muzyka, WCAVA on behalf of Kay Shaw, Rugby And Northampton Athletics Club with Tom Kittendorf, Rugby Borough Council
Inspirational Young Person (under 25) which was sponsored by Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
The nominees in this category were Alex Sitford for commitment to the community engagement within the Princes Trust Course and Sam Morris for volunteer work with Rugby Art Gallery.
The winner of this category was Sam Morris for volunteer work with Rugby Art Gallery & Museum.
Sam Morris, Rugby Art Gallery & Museum with Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
Support to Young People which was sponsored by Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
The winner of this category was Dutch Van Spall for volunteer work with Invisible Friends.
Dutch Van Spall, Invisible Friends with Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
Trustee/Committee Member which was sponsored by Sharp
The winner of this category was Christine Lord for volunteer work with Paw Prints Dog Rescue Charity.
Amy Muzyka, WCAVA on behalf of Christine Lord, Paw Prints Dog Rescue Charity with Tom Kittendorf, Rugby Borough Council
Lifetime Achievement presented by Warwickshire County Council
There were two winners for this category: Tony Marsella for volunteer work with 5th Newbold Scouts Group and Stephen Richards for volunteer work with Hill Street Youth & Community Centre.
Suzanne Collinson, WCAVA on behalf of Tony Marsella, 5th Newbold Scouts Group with Jennifer McCabe, Warwickshire County Council
Stephen Richards, Hill Street Youth & Community Centre with Jennifer McCabe, Warwickshire County Council
