Humble volunteers deserving of medal

Celebrating the work of volunteers meant so much to Broadgate Residents' Action Group that they applied for a special grant to do so.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Feb 2017, 08:27 BST
Updated 28th Feb 2017, 12:20 BST
Members of Broadgate Residents Action Group at British Aerospace ClubMembers of Broadgate Residents Action Group at British Aerospace Club
Members of Broadgate Residents Action Group at British Aerospace Club

Enlisting help from the Big Lottery Fund, the organisation awarded congratulatory medals to 150 members of the community who had supported and improved the Broadgate area over the last 12 months.

Members were invited to a “night to remember” at the British Aerospace Club.

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Preston Mayor, Coun John Collins and his Mayoress, Joan McGinty, presented the medals and congratulated them on their efforts.

Preston Mayor Coun John Collins and the ex Preston Mayor, Coun at the Broadgate Residents Action Group's celebration eventPreston Mayor Coun John Collins and the ex Preston Mayor, Coun at the Broadgate Residents Action Group's celebration event
Preston Mayor Coun John Collins and the ex Preston Mayor, Coun at the Broadgate Residents Action Group's celebration event

Those who were commended included Preston Sea Cadets; The British Aerospace Club, which runs a youth football team and volunteers at St Stephen’s Church, as well members of its lunch club which serve hot meals to people in the community.

Stephen Smith, chairman of Broadgate Residents’ Action Group (BRAG), said: “We wanted to say thank you to all the people who had done volunteer work in the area.

“These people do a lot of good work and they don’t really get rewarded for it.

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“We wanted to show our appreciation for everything they do and let them know their work has not gone unnoticed.

Members of Broadgate Residents Action Group Terry Murphy Carl Ingram Mark Ellery at their celebration eventMembers of Broadgate Residents Action Group Terry Murphy Carl Ingram Mark Ellery at their celebration event
Members of Broadgate Residents Action Group Terry Murphy Carl Ingram Mark Ellery at their celebration event

“Altogether we had 150 medals.

“It is amazing how many people have worked hard to support the Broadgate community.

“We were successful in applying for the Big Lottery Fund and we decided everyone who has volunteered and done good work over the last 12 months should be awarded.

“We were delighted to invite the Mayor and Mayoress to present the medals. A total of 100 people turned up – those unable to attend received their medals at one of our meetings.

Preston Mayor Coun John Collins and his Mayoress, Joan McGinty at the Broadgate Residents Action Group celebration eventPreston Mayor Coun John Collins and his Mayoress, Joan McGinty at the Broadgate Residents Action Group celebration event
Preston Mayor Coun John Collins and his Mayoress, Joan McGinty at the Broadgate Residents Action Group celebration event
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“Everyone enjoyed the event. There was a free and hot and cold buffet, followed by a superb range of desserts. The desserts were to die for and it was a wonderful spread of food.

“I wish to thank the British Aerospace Club for their hospitality. We also had a DJ who didn’t charge anything and got people on the dance floor.

“We also raised some money during the night. We raised £60 for St Catherine’s Hospice by selling football cards and a raffle gained a further £100 to go towards the costs of producing our own Broadgate magazine which gets sent to around 1,800 homes in the area.”

Related topics:John CollinsMayoress