Birmingham volunteer receives award for years of service

Two NSPCC volunteers from the West Midlands have received Honorary Council Member awards at the charity’s ACM that took place at Birmingham City Football Club.

The NSPCC’s Annual Council Meeting is one of the most important events in the charity’s calendar. It is when volunteers, trustees and members of staff meet to reflect on accomplishments and to discuss their ongoing commitment to child safety.

Garry Peal (pictured) (66) is a retired Event Commissioning manager from Birmingham City Council and is now a devoted volunteer who has been giving up his free time to support the NSPCC West Midlands Business Board since 2015.

Garry became President of the West Midlands Business Board and won an Honorary Council Member award at the ACM for his contribution to corporate fundraising.

He organises events such as the NSPCC’s annual ball in Birmingham which raises up to £50,000 for the children’s charity every year.

Garry said: “I’m absolutely proud and delighted to be bestowed this accolade, particularly here in Birmingham, my home city. I am blown away by it. It was totally unexpected but I understand the sentiment behind it and appreciate all the work that the NSPCC does.

“Without volunteers, the organisation wouldn’t function, that’s like so many charities and organisations. Volunteers are priceless.”

Sue Wardle (72) a long-serving volunteer from Stoke-on-Trent, has been volunteering for the charity for 20 years.

She is the chair of the Leek and Moorlands district committee but also the chair of NSPCC North Staffordshire branch, a team of volunteers who have raised an amazing £1million for the NSPCC and Childline since 2006.

Sue was presented with the Honorary Council Member award at this year’s ACM for her huge contribution to the NSPCC.

Sue said: “I’m incredibly proud and deeply honoured by this award. I know the honour is for me but to be fair, I couldn’t do any of the work I do without my committee of twenty wonderful ladies, two of whom are in their nineties.

“They still support, they still come out and stand outside a supermarket for an hour and they all help to make our events successful.

“Whatever I dream up, they are behind me. It is with their support that the last twenty years has been able to happen. So, I’d like to thank them as much as they thank me.”

The ACM took place at Birmingham City Football Club’s St. Andrew’s stadium at Knighthead Park and included a session, presented by the club, on how the community in Birmingham and Solihull came together following the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

The event also included a welcome from the NSPCC’s new chief executive, Chris Sherwood, who will be joining the charity in January 2025.

Caroline Morgan, NSPCC Supporter Fundraising manager for the Midlands, said: “I am absolutely thrilled for both Garry and Sue to have their years of service and dedication to the charity recognised and awarded.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the NSPCC, we just couldn’t support children and young people as we do without them.

“The ACM is a special time of the year for the charity, as it brings together all of our trustees, volunteers and supporters from across the UK. It was all the more special as we celebrated the NSPCC’s 140th birthday.”

For more information about local NSPCC volunteer fundraising please email: volunteerrecruitment@nspcc.org.uk