Click here to read the fullVolunteer of the Year
A mum who set up a charity after losing her young daughter to a brain tumour has seen it go from strength to strength.
Lousie Jones, of Haverdale Rise, Gawber, set up the Pippa Jones Little Treasure Trust in May 2010 just two months after her daughter Pippa died, a few days before her fourth birthday.
The charity offers activity bags to children of all ages from around the country while they are in hospital for cancer treatment and provides grants for childcare for ill children’s siblings.
It has already beaten its target of raising £100,000 (funds now stand at £106,000) and has doubled the number of bags it sends out. Earlier this month, it had already sent out more than 130 bags.
Louise, who won last year’s Volunteer of the Year, said: “The award really helped us raise awareness of the charity. We have had a lot more interest from local firms wanting to sponsor us.”
The trust has been sponsored this year by The Alhambra in Barnsley and at Christmas the shopping mall donated £3,500 - the proceeds from its Santa’s Grotto. There will also be a fundraising fashion show in the Alhambra on July 4.
Louise said: “I had a lovely letter from a 15-year-old in Stockport who got one of our teenager bags. It inspired her to fundraise through filling shoeboxes on her ward, and she sent us £250.”
Our winner will be someone who selflessly devotes themselves to a cause not because they are paid but because they believe in it.
The following points are intended as guidelines only, to help you with your nomination.
- Does your nominee volunteer for a local charity?
- Do they run a kids football team or organise a neighbourhood watch scheme?
- Are they a hospital visitor or on the board of school governors?
So long as they are not paid a salary, please enter them in this category if they provide an invaluable service to the community.
Category Sponsor
Tyke Racing has created an outdoor go-karting track for the whole of Barnsley to be proud of.
The track is at the site of the former John Dennis fruit and veg distribution depot on Beevor Street, Hoyle Mill and boasts impressive facilities including...
- Spectacular, floodlit 600-metre long raceway
- Two-storey clubhouse
- Cafe-bar
- Changing rooms
- Conference facilities
Tyke Racing has invested in the latest generation of eco-friendly, silent electric-powered karts that are more than a match for traditional petrol karts.
Manager Steve Rich said: “We think we have created a very impressive leisure attraction which Barnsley desperately needs.
“Until now, karting enthusiasts have had to travel out of the borough to get their thrills.
“The beauty of electric karts is that they are just as quick and exciting as petrol-powered ones - but without the noise and smell.
“And because they are virtually silent, spectators can watch a race from the balcony and still chat without being deafened by engine noise, making it a very sociable experience.”
Steve said Tyke Racing was keen to support Proud of Barnsley after seeing the success of the inaugural awards.
He added: “We have created jobs for Barnsley people here at Tyke Racing and are proud of the facilities we have built.
“Our hope is that people from further afield than Barnsley will come to Tyke and while they are here, take the time to discover more about the rest of the town and the attractions here.”
He said the company was delighted to be sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year category.
“I know this was one of the most fiercely contested categories last year and I’m looking forward to reading the stories of the nominees over the coming months. We’re already very excited about the awards night even though it’s months away.”
Tyke Racing is proud to say all our workforce live in Barnsley. All the way through our development, we have been keen to support local businesses and local people.
Long may that continue.
Steve Rich
Manager
© 2013 Barnsley Chronicle Ltd