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Meet Fenland's most amazing volunteers




Today, we can announce who you, our readers, have chosen as the Fenland Citizen's Volunteer of the Year.

All of our nominees were wonderful unsung heroes who give up their own time to help others in the Fenland towns and surrounding villages.

Our readers' choice for the top award was Anna Elliott who has been volunteering for the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre for 10 years.

Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Winner Anna Elliott. (59638189)
Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Winner Anna Elliott. (59638189)

Second place went to Dorothy Jackson who suffered a heart attack last December but is still out and about doing her bit to help the community near her home in Chatteris.

And third is Stanley Spinks, from Wisbech, who belongs to at least seven volunteer groups.

Anna has now received her trophy and a £70 voucher from Love2shop.

Volunteer of The Year awards..Dorothy Jackson. (59638194)
Volunteer of The Year awards..Dorothy Jackson. (59638194)

Dorothy and Stanley also got trophies and vouchers.

When she heard the news, Anna said: "I wasn't expecting to win because of the loads of other really good people as well."

"I'm really overwhelmed and really shocked. I'm so proud and proud that it gets the unit's name out there, which is really nice as I'm all for trying to promote the unit."

Anna's mum, Christine Elliott, of Wisbech, died recently. She was aware her daughter had been nominated for this award and was extremely proud. "She would have been even more proud that I won," said Anna.

Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Stanley Spinks. (59638181)
Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Stanley Spinks. (59638181)

Anna's nomination read: "“Despite her own health concerns, her commitment and devotion to the charity and our patients has been outstanding and no task has ever been too small or ever turned down.

“From making teas and providing comfort and company for our patients, to supporting fundraising events both on stalls and by making cakes, organising knitters or selling her homemade craft items or previously loved jigsaws.

“To stepping in to support diversional activities in our living well service, to delivering and collecting charity collection boxes."

Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Stanley Spinks, Jeremy Ransome (Editor) and Anna Elliott. (59638179)
Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Stanley Spinks, Jeremy Ransome (Editor) and Anna Elliott. (59638179)

Dorothy said:“I couldn't believe it. I am astonished. It feels like quite an honour to have come second because I didn't realise anyone noticed.

“I do one little bit and another comes along – and people always come over for a talk when they see me.”

Dorothy was nominated by Freda Aspinall, who said: "This lady never turns down any jobs in Chatteris. She cleans the church, she cooks dinners at the Salvation Army and she is on the In Bloom committee, looking after the flowers and watering them.

“She also goes around the street picking up rubbish, and these are just some of the jobs I know of.

Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Winner Anna Elliott and Toni Bird. (59638191)
Fenland Citizen Volunteer of The Year awards..Winner Anna Elliott and Toni Bird. (59638191)

“She had a heart attack in December and is already back doing her jobs again. We just can’t stop her!”

Stanley's nomination described him as "one of the busiest volunteers I have ever met, belonging to at least seven groups around Wisbech".

On being told of his award, he said: "I feel amazed. Being retired, I like to keep busy, I don't want to sit down all day and watch television, I like to think that I've kept busy all my life."

Volunteer of The Year awards..Dorothy Jackson who was nominated by Freda Aspinall. (59638193)
Volunteer of The Year awards..Dorothy Jackson who was nominated by Freda Aspinall. (59638193)

Fenland Citizen editor Jeremy Ransome said: "I'm so pleased we ran this event. I've heard some really inspirational stories and, when making the awards, met some lovely people."

On behalf of sponsors, AJW Distribution, the company's marketing director Charlotte Woods congratulated the winners.

volunteer awards logo (59630962)
volunteer awards logo (59630962)

“They are doing amazing work in their communities and deserve to be rewarded in this way,” she said. “In fact, all of those who were nominated should be given recognition for the contribution they are making to their communities. They are all true unsung heroes.”



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