MORE than 50 local people who give up their time to volunteer for Harlow Council have been recognised and thanked.

Fifty-six local volunteers attended a special reception held at Harlow Playhouse last week. This was organised as part of National Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2018) which celebrated volunteering in the UK.

The volunteers work alongside Council staff within different community services, from tending to the Town Park and Parndon Wood Nature Reserve to helping out at Pets’ Corner, the Leah Manning Centre and the Playhouse.

The Chair of the Council, Councillor Maggie Hulcoop and Councillor Eugenie Harvey, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Wellbeing, attended the event to personally thank all the volunteers. The volunteers each received a certificate in recognition of the hard work they all put in for the benefit of our town and the community.

Councillor Eugenie Harvey, Portfolio Holder for Community and Wellbeing, said: “We are very fortunate that in Harlow we have residents of all ages who are community spirited and willing to give their time and energy to support the delivery of some of our vital community services.

“I met some great people including Jean Morgan who has volunteered at the Leah Manning Centre since 1986, painting nails, giving hand massages and taking the time to talk to the elderly residents and Muriel Lee who has volunteered as an usher at the Playhouse and at the hospital for a quarter of a century! Muriel says the Playhouse is like her second family.

“I also met two young people who volunteer at Pets’ Corner providing care for the animals and helping in the shop.

“On top of this, many of our volunteers raise money to support the work of these services – Harlow Conservation Trust volunteers have raised over £100,000 over the last 10 years. Volunteers do not replace paid employees but in working alongside them, they enable us to provide even greater benefit to the community and for that we say a heartfelt thank you.”

More information on volunteering with Harlow Council can be found at www.harlow.gov.uk/get-involved