The CLASS project at drugline supported the Preston City Run by entering 25 runners into three race categories 3k, 5k and 10k.
The Preston city run organised in partnership with Central Lancashire NHS Primary Care Trust and Preston City Council - working together to improve health and wellbeing.
£1.00 from each entry fee was donated to Rosemere Cancer Foundation. In addition all CLASS runners ran to support the CLASS Hardship Fund – a fund set up to support those infected/affected by HIV/AIDS in Central Lancashire. The CLASS runners were sponsored by friends, work colleagues, neighbours and relatives raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in the community.
The runners - staff and volunteers completed the races with determination and gusto. The weather was dry with a light breeze which made the conditions ideal for running. For some of the CLASS runners it was the first time they had entered a race which made the event even more challenging and exiting for them personally. Many of them had started to train prior to the event to ensure they had the stamina and application to finish the race.
The runners had a great time, supported each other and met up afterwards to discuss personal highs, challenges and discuss run times.
Not only did the staff and volunteers raise much needed financial resources for the CLASS Hardship Fund they also participated in an activity that helps to promote health and wellbeing. Although there were a few aches and pains the following day overall everyone escaped unscathed!
Volunteer comments:
“It was great – I feel brilliant!” “I loved it!”
On 5th June 2009 Preston and Blackpool Drugline Lancashire Ltd held a Volunteer Celebration to mark National Volunteers week celebrating 25 years of volunteer services.
The presentation was held at the Blackpool premises as a joint event when over 50 volunteers from Preston came to Blackpool by coach to join the Blackpool team in marking this very special occasion.
The Ceremony was opened by Shelley and Amy from Preston office who thanked everyone who had made the great effort of attending and Kath Talboys, Project Manager and Strategic Director was invited to the stage to personally thank all the volunteers for the tremendous effort, time and commitment they give to the organisation as a whole. She outlined the development of the organisation over the years and how important the work of all volunteers has been and will be in the future for the successful support of our clients.
Jo Donoghue, SHIVER Project Worker thanked the SHIVER Volunteers for their work and presented each volunteer with a certificate. Karen Hanscombe and Antony Henstock, Open Access also presented their volunteers with celebratory certificates of attendance and volunteering commitment. Bill Webster and Nicki DaCosta, Drugline’s Trainers, gave an overview of the training relating to how the training within the organisation has progressed and developed over the years and they invited the volunteers to receive their graduation certificates.
Jackie Garcia Sanchez, CLASS HIV Project Worker gave a brief overview of her volunteers who had successfully completed the Health Trainer course and presented each individual with a certificate of completion.
Special recognition was given to volunteers who had gone above and beyond the volunteering role. Certificates and gifts were presented to the most outstanding student, longest serving volunteer, dedication to the counselling services and volunteer of the year.
Shelley and Amy closed the ceremony with another huge thank you to everyone for attending and invited everyone to join in the lovely lunch which had been provided.
All the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the event and the fact that their work had been highly recognised and appreciated by everyone within Drugline, as well as being given the opportunity to meet other volunteers throughout the Drugline organisation.
Preston staff and volunteers continued their enjoyment and celebrations on their return to Preston in the early afternoon.
Volunteer’s day in Blackpool
The day started at around 10am, it was good to see the other volunteers waiting to get on the coach that Drugline had put on. I was looking forward to going to Blackpool Drugline to get my OCN level two certificate. I have been doing voluntary work for some time and felt like I had been on a journey, to get a nationally recognised qualification.
There was a good friendly vibe on the coach journey we all had lots of giggles on route with a game of spot the tower thrown in. When we arrived at Drugline Blackpool the hall was well presented with lots of tables made up.
The volunteer coordinators Amy and Shelley started the presentation, when the awards started being presented I began to feel quite emotional. This is because I know some of the people that have gained the awards for volunteering and education have been on a journey to achieve them.
I was over the moon and would like to thank everyone for nominating me for the outstanding student award. It was a shock to receive the outstanding student award and I feel privileged that you thought I deserved it.
I would like to give special thanks to Bill Webster who has been very patient and supportive, a genuine nice guy. Thank you
