by Callum Henry, Preston Volunteers Co-ordinator
What an amazing week it was at Preston Volunteers last week as part of Volunteers’ Week.
I can’t count how many sandwiches, cakes, brews etc. we got through but I thought you may want to see some our amazing events that went on throughout the week. There will be a video put together (honestly there was so much that went on that it needs compiling!), but a massive thanks to Denise, Preston City Council, One CoWork and the Preston Volunteers team who pulled together to put on a extra special week and without them we wouldn’t have been able to celebrate Volunteers’ Week in the way we did!
Wednesday 4th June – The Preston Funders Fair, by LACVS LOCAL
Denise did an absolute amazing job putting on Preston’s first large scale funders fair in a very long time! attended by over 15 different funders and we estimate over 100 individuals came and chatted to the funders throughout the day. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Dance Syndrome also provided some fabulous entertainment.
Thursday 5th June – Step into Volunteering Fair
Over 200 people came to visit our Step into Volunteering Fair. With a modern look to the Fair taking a more informal floor plan, over 20 groups attended, advertising there volunteer roles and how to get involved. We also had Preston Pedals with their ever popular smoothie bike.
Friday 6th June – City of Legacy – Volunteer Celebration
Following our usual quarterly forum celebrating Volunteer Managers we invited representatives from over 20 charitable organisations in Preston to a very special celebration.
We finished the week in quite the spectacular way. The event themed around making your mark and legacy it took a whistle stop tour through over 200 years of Volunteering, and charities here in Preston in quite the unique way. During the celebration we had an amazing poem from Johnny Cosmo about the Preston Tea ladies during the war, a very unique spoken word and video presentation by myself and a very special video message from Actor Steve Pemberton (Benidorm, Inside No. 9, League of Gentlemen etc.) who sent his thanks to all the amazing volunteers. With special thanks to the 697th Mayor of Preston, Sue Whittam who supported by myself did a fabulous job congratulating each Volunteer and giving her time for the event.
