Award for Homecall

SELFLESS efforts by volunteers across the county has earned the Homecall visiting scheme the right to display the royal seal of approval on its letterheads and public material.On Tuesday the Queen's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, presented the organisation with a crystal award and a framed citation recognising its achievements, signed Elizabeth R.

Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts said Homecall was only one of 144, from hundreds of nominations across the UK, to be given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

She told those gathered at Bexhill College the scheme had been started by dedicated volunteers who had been commended by the award.

Since it was set up in Hastings 21 years ago with six volunteers and 11 clients, it had grown to 400 clients and 330 volunteers helping sight-impaired people across the county.

She said by their selfless efforts they enabled them to overcome social isolation and encouraged participation in the community around them.

"It is a sad fact many house bound clients live alone and trained volunteers bring sight but also bring help and friendship and are able to spot potential dangers.

"Homecall clients can be some of the most needy and vulnerable. Thank goodness for Homecall," she said.

The service was an example of the very best of voluntary commitment.

Guests attending included Dr Richard Wray, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of East Sussex Mrs Amanda Hamelin, Rother chairman Cllr Wendy Miers, town mayor Cllr Eric Armstrong, Eastbourne mayor Cllr Colin Belsey, and Hastings Mayor Cllr Maureen Charlesworth.

The hall was decorated with helium balloons in the Homecall colour of yellow, and mauve of the Queen's Award. A cake to celebrate the "unsung heroes" had been made by a volunteer and iced in the two colours by Ann Dowling.

Before enjoying a buffet lunch provided by the catering staff at the college, 33 Homecall volunteers were honoured for their service of five, 10 and 20 years, receiving a certificate and lapel pin badge.

Rother recepients were Martin Noakes, John Wilson, Helen English, Sheila Minet for five years service and Margaret Smith for ten years service.

Bexhill Homecall co-ordinator Jenny Private said the award would make a big difference especially in their quest to get funding.

The service has trimmed its costs to the bare minimum but since losing its county grant is working on obtaining lottery funding to help towards the 130,000 needed to run Homecall across East Sussex.