Trust’s 30 ways to thank volunteers

A local conservation charity is marking Volunteers’ Week by highlighting some of the many ways in which its dedicated volunteers contribute.

The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall, as well as nature reserves in Devon.

This is the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which champions volunteering and the voluntary sector.

Neil Thomas-Childs, Volunteer Coordinator for Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts, said: “Paignton Zoo has over 140 volunteers who last year donated more than 21,300 hours and helped raise over £45,500. Living Coasts has 36 regular volunteers who in 2013 clocked up 4,800 hours and helped raise £1,500.

“Thinking of thirty ways in which volunteers support us to mark 30 years of Volunteers' Week wasn’t hard at all - there are lots! Without our volunteers' time and dedication, much of what we do would just not be possible.”

Amongst many other things, volunteers file, clean, chop, fundraise, educate, create, photograph, garden, fix, knit, sew and dress up. They make badges, key rings and magnets for sale, keep records, catalogue library books and repair things. As well as the huge support they provide for charity staff, they interact with visitors and have a lot of fun in the process.

Neil again: “We want to make staff and visitors aware of how our volunteers support us as a charity whilst thanking those volunteers for their support. We’re also taking this opportunity to invite people who are interested in volunteering to register their interest, as there's something for everyone and always plenty to do!”

Each volunteer will receive a special Volunteers’ Week certificate thanking them for their invaluable support.

Anyone looking for a new interest or a chance to meet new people and support a local charity can visit www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer or www.livingcoasts.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer or ask at either zoo.