The event, which took place at the Town Hall earlier this month, saw prizes awarded to students of the University whose volunteering efforts have helped the local community.
The University presented the TS Shipman Prize and Hannah Community Prize to the students to reward them for their admirable voluntary work.
Receiving the TS Shipman Prize was Jake Brown for his social action project, Utilise. Working with Fearon Community Centre and Transition º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, Jake has been instrumental in making it a success.
The project uses perfectly good food ‘waste’ thrown away by retailers to provide quality, affordable meals. It operates on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, whereby those who can afford to make a contribution for their meal will be covering the costs for those unable to pay.
Since inception, Utilise has served over 1200 meals to local people, saved 1300kg of food from landfill and generated £2500 towards Fearon Community Centre activities.
Receiving the Hannah Prize was George Nixon. He was nominated by a neighbour for the considerable goodwill he showed them after returning home from a lengthy hospital stay.
George visited in order to see what he could do to support, giving his mobile number and offering to help at any time – from taking the bins out to being mindful of noise at night.
His nomination read: “George and his housemates are a credit to the University and the epitome of good neighbourliness.”
The University’s Chief Operating Officer, Richard Taylor, presented the awards.
Commenting on the student achievements, he said: “It was an absolute honour to reward our students for their outstanding voluntary efforts.
Each year, they continue to demonstrate how dedicated they are to helping others in the community, and as a University, we are incredibly proud.”
Joining Richard at the ceremony was the Mayor of Charnwood Councillor Pauline Ranson and other local dignitaries.
Also recognised at the event were ten Charnwood charities and community groups that have received support from the Open Fund, one of the University’s community donations funds.
The fund is dedicated to supporting community or voluntary groups in their work.
Organisations and projects that have received funding are:
|
Organisation |
Project |
|
Charnwood Citizens Advice Bureau |
Contribution towards costs of establishing a 'friends scheme' for the charity's regular donors. |
|
Charnwood Arts |
Funding for two arts, storytelling and animation events. |
|
The Well Church English Language School |
Funds for workbooks used in beginners English language sessions. |
|
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ District Scouts |
Contribution towards a weekend of activities for 400 young people. |
|
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Rugby Football Club (Mini & Junior Section) |
Funding for post protectors and flags for an additional pitch due to increased demand. |
|
The Marios Tinenti Centre |
Funds to subsidise a resident's trip to Skegness. |
|
Poplar Running Club (Junior Section) |
Funding for new running club equipment. |
|
Mountfields Lodge School |
Contribution of funds for educational playground markings. |
|
Living Without Abuse |
Funds to purchase a projector for use in group programmes and training. |
|
Forest Road Green Gardeners |
Funding towards a 2-year project to sort shrubbery and replant new trees, shrubs and flowers. |