In this academic year, 2011-12, ReachOut!’s mentors in London have racked up a staggering 5365 volunteering hours! These mentors have been supporting young people aged 10 to 16 in east London with academic and character development at ReachOut!’s term time projects (the ReachOut! Club, ReachOut! Academy and ReachOut! Junior Mentors).
Committing up to 6 hours a week for 6 to 9 months is no mean feat and it was time for ReachOut! to show its appreciation at the second annual Volunteer Thank You Event last Friday.
Chair of Trustees, Ed Lehman, kicked off the evening by thanking and congratulating volunteers for their hard work and achievements, followed by a brief overview of ReachOut!’s ambitious plans for the future – to provide mentor support for 2500 young people by 2017 (up from about 900 this year).
Peter Blackwell, ReachOut! London Director, then gave an inspiring speech about the positive impact a mentor can have on a child’s development and the difference each of our volunteers is making. He told several real-life stories about ReachOut! mentees (some of whom are now grown up and have become ReachOut! mentors themselves) moving several people in the audience to tears (well, there were definitely some watery eyes, including mine!)
Speeches were followed by a presentation of certificates for volunteers who have taken part in fundraising events and those who have achieved the ReachOut! Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for completing 30, 60 and 100 hours of volunteering respectively. Jack Bond then presented several Jack Petchey Achievement Awards, designed to recognise the achievements of young people aged 11-25. Finally, Peter Blackwell rounded off the evening by presenting four exceptional volunteers with Outstanding Contribution to ReachOut! awards – Brett Berger, Richard King, Harriet (Chipie) Melesi and Nathaniel Jolie.
Congratulations and most of all THANK YOU to all!
Fran Blackwell
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| ReachOut! fundraisers - a team of 10 runners raised over £3000! |
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| ReachOut! Bronze Award winners have contributed over 30 hours of volunteering each! |
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| ReachOut! Silver Award winners have contributed over 60 hours of volunteering each - some in less than a year! |
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| Rosy Smith was our only ReachOut! Gold Award winner present - Rosy has contributed over 100 hours over the past two years, volunteering 6 hours a week this year to run a ReachOut! Club in Tower Hamlets whilst studying for her finals. |
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| Abz and PJ - Jack Petchey Award winners and ex-ReachOut! mentees! |
And finally our Outstanding Voluntary Contribution 2012 award holders Brett Berger, Chipie Melesi, Nathaniel Jolie and Richard King.
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