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Pre-school Learning Alliance announces the outstanding winners of its Volunteer Awards

NEWS RELEASE

20 June 2008

Pre-school Learning Alliance announces the outstanding winners of its Volunteer Awards

On Friday 20th June at 12:15pm in Hammersmith, London, the Pre-School Learning Alliance, the largest voluntary sector provider of childcare in England, announced the four outstanding winners of its Volunteer Awards and presented them with their prizes.

The winners in each category were:

Every year over 40,000 Alliance volunteers give up valuable time and contribute talents, skills and knowledge to benefit families with very young children and the wider community in a variety of ways including helping out with fundraising or nursery outings or becoming a secretary for their child's local pre school committee. The Alliance's Volunteer Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that volunteers play in the organisation.

The judges were impressed by the phenomenal dedication and energy shown by the many volunteers nominated from across the country.

Clare Bowen, winner of the Pre-school Committee Volunteer Award, turned the pre-school finances around with her tireless effort and astute financial management. Even whilst bravely coping with the tragic deaths of her daughter and husband, Clare's dedication to her pre-school committee remained unwavering, and her support of fellow volunteers, staff, children and parents was at all times outstanding.

Clare's nominator said ‘She is a remarkable woman who has suffered the most appalling losses but continues to put other people first'.

Sarah Coates, winner of the Fundraising Volunteer Award, impressed the judges with the sheer level of her achievement. With no previous fundraising experience and with many challenges to overcome, Sarah increased the funds from a couple of thousand pounds to over £70,000. This in turn helped to replace the school building. Sarah's determination and skill also secured £ 60,000 from one local company — the biggest ever donation to a charity in Warwickshire.

Joan Bridgewater, winner of the Volunteer at a pre-school/ nursery Award: has been an incredibly active and hands-on volunteer for over 18 years. She has attended the group with her granddaughter, and great grandson, and now is a comforting figure, helping new children to settle, and using her experience and wisdom to help staff and parents. Joan gives very generously of her time, preparing meals and assisting play leaders with weekly cooking activities, helps with the washing, ironing and cleaning, and even makes clothes for the dolls!

Shazia Sheikh, winner of the Volunteer at a Baby/ toddler group Award, is an Open University Student and dedicated mother to four active young boys, whom she home educates. Shazia's energy knows no bounds, while having these existing commitments, she also found time to help found the Reading Muslim Council Toddler group. The group now attracts many parents and children from a community which can be isolated. The group is expanding, and Shazia leads on activity planning and supervises a team of volunteers.

Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance said:

"We have been overwhelmed by the moving stories of our nominees. In many cases their commitment really is humbling. Volunteering in a pre-school and involving parents, and grandparents, in their child's early education has been a founding principle of the Alliance since its inception in 1961. And, without the dedication of our volunteers, the Alliance would simply not exist."

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Jenny Commin
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2508
Out of hours press calls: 07956 499621
E: Jenny Commin

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 15,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk
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