THE Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisation (GAVO) honoured some of the county’s most hard-working volunteers at its annual awards event on October 4, at the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel, near Llangybi.

Jake Robinson won the young volunteer award, sponsored by Gwent Police.

Tony Kear and Andrew Cave won the adult volunteer awards, sponsored by Carling in the Community.

The environmental award was given to Colin Jones, and the trustee award went to Nathan Edwards.

Dafydd Williams won both the personal journey award, sponsored by Rogiet Community Council, and the Monmouthshire County Council chairman’s award.

Chris Wellings received the inspirational award, sponsored by Associated British Ports.

The corporate social responsibility award, sponsored by Gwent’s police and crime commissioner, was won by Brad Watson and Scott Davies of Archenfield Insurance.

GAVO’s Clare Watkins said: “It is always great to hear first-hand the amazing achievements of so many people who perform countless positive things in their communities.

“I am pleased to be working collaboratively with the county council in providing support for all our active citizens and showing our appreciation of their hard work.

“Our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners and those highly commended, and also a huge thank you to all the volunteers out there who continually give their time freely and willingly to help others.”

– Brad Watson and Scott Davies of Archenfield Insurance (award sponsored by the Office of Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner)

The winners were:

• Young Volunteer- Jake Robinson (award sponsored by Gwent Police)

• Adult Volunteer – Tony Kear and Andrew Cave (award sponsored by Carling in the Community)

• Environmental – Colin Jones

• Trustee – Nathan Edwards

• Group – Gwent Police Cadet Scheme (award sponsored by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)

• Personal Journey – Dafydd Williams (award sponsored by Rogiet Community Council)

• Inspirational – Chris Wellings (award sponsored by Associated British Ports)

• Corporate Social Responsibility – Brad Watson and Scott Davies of Archenfield Insurance (award sponsored by the Office of Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner)

• Monmouthshire County Council Chairman’s award – Dafydd Williams (award sponsored by Monmouthshire County Council)

The annual Monmouthshire Volunteer Achievement Awards event hosted by GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations) and Monmouthshire County Council was held on Thursday 4th October at the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel & Spa near Llangybi. The celebratory evening focussed on the inspiring commitment of volunteers from all walks of life who give their time freely and share their skills to make a huge impact in all sections of the county’s communities.

The evening was attended by HM Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, The High Sheriff of Gwent, Mrs Sharon Linnard, Bishop Dominic Walker, Monmouthshire’s Chairman, Councillor Peter Clarke, Laurence Clay, GAVO Vice Chair, Councillor Peter Fox OBE, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Martin Featherstone, Chief Executive Officer, GAVO, David T C Davies, MP, Superintendent Ian Roberts of Gwent Police and Ian Greenman of the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, among many others. Entertainment was provided by local acts Solar Bliss & Selina Langley-Rees and the event was compered by Jill Evans of Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

Clare Watkins, GAVO Volunteering Team Manager said: “It is always great to hear first-hand, the amazing achievements of so many people who perform countless positive things in their communities. Volunteers play such a vital role in our society and the annual GAVO Volunteer Achievement Awards is just one way of allowing us to recognise the positive contribution these volunteers make to so many people’s lives.

“This annual event is a great celebration of the endless spirit, enthusiasm and dedication of our thriving third sector in the county and I am pleased to be working collaboratively with Monmouthshire County Council in providing support for all our active citizens and showing our appreciation of their hard work and commitment.

“Our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s winners and those highly commended and also a huge thank you to all the volunteers out there who continually give their time freely and willingly to help others.”

Martin Featherstone, GAVO Chief Executive Officer added: “GAVO is delighted to work with Monmouthshire County Council in the collaborative delivery of the GAVO Volunteering Achievement Awards 2018. It is really important to have taken time to celebrate and appreciate the massive contribution that volunteers make in Monmouthshire.”

Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for innovation said: “The importance of voluntary contribution to the community cannot be underestimated and I would like to thank all the volunteers who add real value to our public services here in Monmouthshire. The Volunteer Achievement Awards evening gives us the opportunity to recognise and highlight their work and beneficial effect as well as raise the profile of volunteering within the county.”

The organisers thanked sponsors for presenting awards. The winners were:

• Young Volunteer- Jake Robinson (award sponsored by Gwent Police)

• Adult Volunteer – Tony Kear and Andrew Cave (award sponsored by Carling in the Community)

• Environmental – Colin Jones

• Trustee – Nathan Edwards

• Group – Gwent Police Cadet Scheme (award sponsored by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)

• Personal Journey – Dafydd Williams (award sponsored by Rogiet Community Council)

• Inspirational – Chris Wellings (award sponsored by Associated British Ports)

• Corporate Social Responsibility – Brad Watson and Scott Davies of Archenfield Insurance (award sponsored by the Office of Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner)

• Monmouthshire County Council Chairman’s award – Dafydd Williams (award sponsored by Monmouthshire County Council)

Residents interested in community involvement can find more about opportunities by visiting https://gwent.volunteering-wales.net or calling the Monmouthshire Volunteer Centre on 01633 241566. Full details of the volunteering activities undertaken by the award winners and those highly commended are available on the GAVO website: www.gavowales.org.uk/volunteering