2007 marks the fifth PDSA Volunteer of the Year Awards, which are supported by Volunteering England and Pets at Home. Over 4,800 volunteers help in PDSA’s 179 shops, 43 PetAid hospitals, and fundraising groups. Every year, volunteers save the charity over £8.5m in employment costs by donating their time for free.
Here are our 2007 winning volunteers - a big congratulations to them all!
Mary Cotton - Volunteer of the Year
Mary Cotton, is celebrating after being named PDSA Volunteer of the Year, for her outstanding commitment to the veterinary charity. Mary received a trophy and £50 gift vouchers at a special presentation last month.
Mary has volunteered for PDSA for over five-and-a-half years, where she provides administrative support in the Human Resources department. After retiring from a career at the Department for Work and Pensions, Mary now donates two afternoons a week of her time to help.
Commenting on her achievement, Mary says: "I’m very honoured to have been named the PDSA Volunteer of the Year. When I retired I felt I needed something to focus on and I missed the working environment. Volunteering for PDSA has enabled me to feel part of a team, I have made some life long friends within the HR Department and always look forward to the days when I volunteer."
Vera Fryer - Volunteer of the Year, Highly Commended
Volunteer fundraiser Vera Fryer has been highly commended in the PDSA Volunteer of the Year Awards, for her commitment to the Gillingham PDSA Fundraising Group.
83-year-old Vera has been involved with the Group since 1992, and is currently Chairman. She can be found most days at her local PDSA PetAid hospital, either manning a fundraising stall or organising their next event.
